I recently posted a review for the Brain Balance Program on Google, and I thought I would share it here as well. Lately, I have been getting a lot of blog traffic with people searching for Brain Balance Reviews, and I thought it would be helpful to have my thoughts in order for interested parents to find. Here goes…
"This program is simply amazing. We began our journey with Brain Balance in September 2010 with our then-5 year old son, Aidan. Aidan suffered from ADHD and sensory processing disorder, and was really struggling in Kindergarten. He was extremely impulsive, aggressive with peers and teachers, defiant, and in constant motion ALL of the time. We had tried medication on several occasions, with no success. Most were ineffective after a short time, or he could not tolerate the side effects. We had been treating Aidan with various biomedical interventions for almost 2 years at that point - interventions such as GF/CF diet, supplements, Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment, IV Chelation therapy, Chiropractic Care, Homeopathy and Occupational Therapy. These combined therapies cost us a fortune, and brought some positive changes, but often an illness could all but erase any progress he had made.
After having Aidan assessed at the Suwanee Brain Balance Center, we began using the Brain Balance Home Program with him. Over the next nine months, we saw slow but steady progress in Aidan's behavior - a gradual lessening of the frequency, intensity and duration of the aggressive and impulsive behaviors. As the school year came to an end, we were so encouraged by Aidan's progress with the Brain Balance Home Program that we KNEW we had to move heaven and earth so that he could attend the Brain Balance Program at a center. We split up our family, and my three boys and I relocated to Atlanta for about 5 months (June-October of 2011). Aidan attended 12 weeks of Pre-Brain Balance and then an additional 6 weeks of Brain Balance at the Roswell Center. We followed the program, to the letter. Exercises were done three times a day, every single day, no exceptions. We made the necessary lifestyle and diet changes, and stuck with it. This program requires a tremendous amount of effort, for both the children and the parents, but the results are absolutely worth it. And the Brain Balance staff is extremely supportive, always there to answer questions, and offer guidance and support for the children AND the parents.
We now exercise more as a family, and spend a lot less time watching TV and playing video games. The Brain Balance Program has completely changed Aidan's life, and has had a definite and positive impact on our entire family. Since completing the Brain Balance Program, Aidan has been an honor roll student every quarter, and his behavioral issues have lessened considerably. He is a much happier and more carefree little boy. We are very much looking forward to a summer vacation filled with camp (for the first time ever!), lots of beach time and play dates with his friends." (end of review)
Need some proof?
Let's talk about balance and coordination…less than three months ago, Aidan finally allowed us to take the training wheels off of his bike. Check out his latest accomplishment, first with Uncle Kyle.
And just a few minutes later, all by himself!
Curious about his much-improved social skills? Check him out, splashing with some classmates at the lake last weekend and having a ball!
This was the group of boys shouting, "Aidan, Aidan - come sit with us!" as we arrived at the teachers vs. students basketball game earlier this week!
(I didn't even care that he totally blew me off to sit with his friends, AND I managed not to tear up sitting on the bleachers! GO MOM!)
Academic accomplishments? We've got those too! In fact, just this morning, the family gathered to watch Aidan receive his award for making Honor Roll EVERY quarter!
And in the afternoon, I found out that Aidan's teacher had selected him to be the High Flying Hawk for her class for the month of May. This award is given monthly to the one student in each class who best embodies the character trait for that month. May's character trait? Determination. Mrs. Fruits sent me a photo of Aidan enjoying a treat with the other High Flying Hawks, and the following message:
"Determination - it can be his best friend or worst enemy, but one thing is for sure - Your boy sure is determined! Way to go Aidan - High Flying Hawk!"
LOTS of awards today!
But this last photo is a really powerful one…The bottom folder is Aidan's IEP folder from Kindergarten, and the top one is this year's First Grade IEP Folder. What a difference a year makes, especially if that year includes the Brain Balance Program!
Happy Summer Everyone!
Much love,
Allie
Thank you so much for your post becuase I'm so not sure if I want to try another new program, after i already tried so many and no results. I will try this one now.
ReplyDeleteThank you for reading, and I am glad my post was helpful to you. This program has been a miracle for our entire family! I would recommend that you get Dr. Melillo's book, "Disconnected Kids" and also that you check out the Brain Balance parents' website. www.brainbalanceparents.ning.com. It is free to join, and a great place to ask questions and get support or encouragement.
DeleteCongrats to you and Aidan! We are getting our five year old son assessed in Norwalk at the Brain Balance Center. We are very hopeful. Because your blog is so reassuring and uplifting, I am giving some unsolicited advice. It would be great to start a blog where Brain Balance families can all chime in and report their experiences. Something that is not sponsored by Brain Balance, but put together by the families who want to share their experiences. When embarking on something like this I want to be able to talk to families in my area of NY to get support and advice. This isn't a main stream practice yet, and if I knew how to find these families, it would give me and my husband great comfort as we embark on this journey. Best, Nicole
ReplyDeleteHi Nicole,
DeleteWelcome, and thank you for reading our story. Regarding a parent blog, have you seen the Brain Balance Parent Center at www.brainbalanceparents.ning.com? This is a parent-driven site that was created to give Brain Balance families a place to ask questions, share their stories, and offer or receive support and encouragement. Registration is free, and you can create your own page with pictures, videos, or even your own blog posts. You may be able to find other NY families through the parent site as well. Good luck, and if I can help in any way, please don't hesitate to ask. You can reach me by email at all mash@hotmail.com, or you can "like" my facebook fan page (see the box above, on the right) and keep in touch that way. Best regards, Allie
Excuse me, I just realized that there are other BB parents involved in this blog....THANKS!
ReplyDeleteHello, and welcome! I am the only Brain Balance parent involved in this blog, as this is my son's journey through the program and beyond. In the right hand column, under "Other blogs I love" is another BB parent blog, and a link to the Brain Balance Community, a site for BB parents. Shorter posts about Aidan and about Brain Balance are made a little more frequently on my facebook fan page (see box above, on the right), so you can follow us that way. You can always shoot me an email at allmash@hotmail.com if I can ever help. Thanks again!
DeleteBest regards,
Allie
Why do you think Brain Balance is getting such a bad name with the medical community. When I look at reviews they and others are in all out attack mode! My son is 5 and has moderate autism...sensory issues and some seizure activity. I just keep getting the feeling this will work for him.
ReplyDeleteFrom the moment I cracked the spine of "Disconnected Kids" by Dr. Robert Melillo, I KNEW this program was THE answer for Aidan. Two weeks later, sitting in a free parent lecture at the Suwanee Brain Balance Center, my husband KNEW it too. (These free lectures are absolutely imperative to understanding the science behind the program, and how it can help your child. Most centers host them regularly - the Atlanta centers usually have them weekly on Tuesday nights, I think.) My advice would be to read "Disconnected Kids," attend a free parent lecture at a center, and most of all, TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS.
ReplyDeleteI can't speak for why the medical community attacks Brain Balance. Perhaps because Brain Balance is a NON medical program, that relies heavily on proper diet and nutrition, WITHOUT the use of pharmaceutical drugs. The medical community is heavily entrenched with the pharmaceutical industry, and anti-psychotic/stimulant drugs are BIG money makers. The Brain Balance Program strives to correct the problem (hemispheric imbalance) that causes the symptoms (behaviors), WITHOUT the drugs. The medical community also discounts parent testimonials as "real" evidence of success, which I find confusing. Who knows a child better than a parent? Who else in a child's life would be most likely to notice improvements or changes in behavior? To me personally, a testimonial straight from a parent is very powerful. That is the main reason that I have kept this blog going, after completing the program. To allow other parents to see where we started, exactly how we made it through the program, and where we are today. All because of the Brain Balance Program. This program has profoundly changed my Aidan's life, in all the best possible ways. Thank you for your comment, and I hope you will consider Brain Balance for your son. Please reach out on my facebook page for the blog, or email all mash@hotmail.com if I can help in any way.
Best Regards,
Allie
Thanks makes me feel assured that that big chunk of money is not going to be spend in vain.
ReplyDeleteThank you for reading...rest assured, Brain Balance is money well spent. Good luck in the program!
DeleteBest Regards,
Allie
Hi, I was looking on the internet for a solution to help my daughter, she is 6 and she is in first grade, teachers from preschool to now are telling me that she is unfocused and day dreamer and that she has probably adhd and that she needs medication!!! she is great for everything ells, great socially, academically, sweet girl, and she speaks fluently 3 languages! but they keep asking me to go to the doc and to put her on med!!! I am completely against med! but i finally went to see the doc and I got a referral for the specialist now! but while waiting to meet this doc, I was looking for a different kind of help for her and i found a Brain Balance center on line that is located near me ! i don't know if I should go or not! it is quit expensive but if it worth it i will go for it!
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, welcome! Good for you for standing up against the pressure to medicate your daughter. We were against medication from the very beginning (Aidan was first recommended meds when he was not quite three years old!), but we did try meds on three different occasions. Each time, the meds eventually left Aidan in worse shape that before. Add to that, the meds ONLY treat the SYMPTOMS (behaviors) and NOT the underlying CAUSE (often, functional disconnected syndrome), and longterm effects of these drugs are virtually unknown for children. Scary scary stuff.
DeleteI would wholeheartedly recommend that you grab a copy of Dr. Melillo's book, "Disconnected Kids" and start reading. (You can pick it up at a bookstore, or amazon.com for less than $15). This book absolutely changed EVERYTHING for my family. See if the book speaks to you - for me, every single page that I turned made me even more sure that this program could help my son.
See if your local Brain Balance Center has a facebook page, or call them and ask if they have any promotions going on right now - the different centers will often distribute coupons for a discount on a comprehensive assessment. I HIGHLY recommend having your child assessed at a Brain Balance Center - the information you get at the Review of Assessment meeting is very thorough and well-explained (bring a tape recorder, by the way.)
The Brain Balance Program IS expensive, but it is definitely money well spent. And compared to a lifetime supply of prescription medications, the program is much cheaper, in the long run. I have seen where some centers are now offering no or low interest financing options as well, so be sure to inquire about that when you call. Brain Balance is by FAR, the very best investment that we have ever made for Aidan's future, hands down.
If I can help further, please email me at allmash@hotmail.com. You may also find it helpful to join the Brain Balance Parents site (it's free) at www.brainbalanceparents.ning.com. Good luck!
Best Regards,
Allie
This is indeed a fantastic resource. Thank you for making this publicly available.
ReplyDeleteYou are very welcome, and thank you for reading.
DeleteBest Regards,
Allie
It made me want to cry when you said at the basketball game that they were all calling for your son to sit with them. That would be so awesome for my Jacob. We are going to the Brain Balance in Norwalk this coming Tuesday for an the testing/evaluation. I have not heard a price yet but now that i scheduled the appointment i am trying to do all my research now. I heard about this a year ago and put it off until now. My son is tired of having his anger. He has told me that he wishes he was born normally and hates being who he is. It breaks my heart. He said he will try anything that will help him so we will see how this works for him. I am excited and scared at the same time. My jacob is 12 with PDD-NOS, ADHD and anxiety disorder. Which brain balance did you go to? The Norwalk, CT is over an hour drive for me.
ReplyDeleteHi
DeleteI am extremely interested in how this program worked for your son! We have an 8yr. Old son who has PDD-nos and ADHD. He also just began having anger issues. If you wouldn't mind, I'd love for you to write to me and tell me your journey with this! My email is smilingbon7@aol.com!
Thanks so much,
Bonnie
Bonnie,
DeleteMost of our journey with the Brain Balance Program is outlined in great detail on this blog. I would be very happy to answer any questions, or help in any way. Please feel free to contact me on the blog's facebook page, or send an email to allmash@hotmail.com. This program has been amazing for my son.
Best Regards
Allie
Hello,
ReplyDeleteI am currently doing to home program with my child and have seen results. I was wondering, how do you feel the program at the center compares to the home program? Will I see great results having my child go through the program vs home?
For us, the home program was slow and steady progress over a 9 month period of time. The program at the center was very intense, with great changes and gains happening much more quickly. The slow and steady progress of the home program gave us the confidence we needed to justify the expense of putting Aidan through the Brain Balance Program at a center. Brain Balance is without a doubt, the BEST investment we ever made in Aidan's future.
DeleteBest Regards,
Allie
All of my 4 children have focus issues . 3 diagnosed with A.D.D. Boys are grown which leaves my 16 year old daughter at home. She is so smart. she read at 3, said ABC s at 22 months. She is at genius level but is a very poor test taker .Focus is horrible. She is on adderall but doesn't taake it much. I will look into it. Would love to see her get all of her credits and do well on her tests and finals. To be able to focus well. To be able to show her true abilities locked in there and my sons as well. They are grown but it could help them as they get ideas from the program. Thank you. I was afraid it was something involving some weird brain electrodes thing. Lol
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment. I would definitely recommend Dr. Robert Melillo's book "Disconnected Kids." Also, most Brain Balance Centers have regular talks, free of charge, discussing the program and answering questions. I highly recommend attending one of these lectures - it was very helpful for us! Good luck!
DeleteAllie
My second son took Ritalin as a child . one of the side effects were that it could stunt growth but probably wouldn't happen. well when he was 13 his growth stopped. We found out when he was nearly 15. He took growth injections to grow . one of the side effects could be his brain would swell. and it did. so they stopped the shots for 6 months and then started at a smaller doesand built up higher. He grew and is tall. So happy my daughter is grwn as tall as she will be so there is no threat there but there are so many unknowns. So she recently has been on Adderall. Mainly for the tests and focus in high school. She is now a junior in August. So sad for kids and adults who struggle with it. I willl look into brain balance..It's worth a try.
ReplyDeleteIt is definitely worth a try! Good luck!
DeleteAllie
we have had our son evaluated and will meet next week to hear the results. I have just started to read some of the criticism and it starts that mother's worry bug. My son doesn't act at home like he does at school. I am somehow an anchor. Your blog is encouraging. I have mixed feelings. I am just trying to remain hopeful.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the kind words. NEVER give up hope! I hope your son is doing well!
DeleteAllie
Thank you for talking about Brain Balance. Our son was diagnosed with ADHD and aspergers. It's been rough to say the least. All this is new for my husband and myself. But we have went beyond the call to make sure he gets the best care, doctors, treatments plan etc. I visited the Brain Balance Center and cried in speaking with the directors and parents. I believe in there methods. We opted out of putting out son on medicine and did the all natural medicine, which everyone thougth was crazy. But i didn't want my son to lose himseld like so many others kids that take traditional medicines. We also at the request from Brain Balance took our son gluten free, And ohhh the different that made. We also have him on Bright Spark and Focus Formula(both All-natural) it's working but as parents we have to do our part. and i have dedicated and i'm devoted to making sure my son has a normal healthy live. THANK YOU.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your comment. Everyone thought we were crazy too, but we KNEW in our hearts that medication was NOT the answer for Aidan, and we were right. Stick to your guns and never give up - our children are worth every struggle! I wish you and your family healing, health, and happiness!
DeleteAllie
Thank you for your Blog. Our son is currently in his 17th week in Brain Balance and the changes have astounded us. He, himself has admitted to being more happy and wanting to tell everyone that is it possible to live a normal life. He has read the book that was given to us called "Disconnected Kids" and has actually given it to 2 other boys parents that are in the same "Special" class with him. My son just turned 13 and was diagnosed with Severe Asperger's', ADHD, and Turret's. He is now a normal teenager boy excited to play sports, making friends and recently mentioned a girl he likes at school. Eek! Anyway, we still have a several weeks left in the second session and are excited and hopeful for our son's future!
ReplyDeleteRoseM
Rose,
DeleteThank you SO much for sharing your son's story! That is AMAZING! This program is so wonderful for our kids!
Best Regards,
Allie
Hi- What dietary changes did BrainBalance have you make? Was it hard to maintain in a school setting? I' m considering taking my son to BB. He has Aspergers, sensory integration issues, and anxiety. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your post. I read some criticisms online about Brain Balance from people who have not even tried it and do not believe it can work. My daughter did a 3 month session and the improvements she has made could never have happened without Brain Balance. She did not have an IEP and was never diagnosed with anything specific. She was one of those children that the teacher's were "keeping an eye on". I knew that she had the potential to fall under the radar and he self esteem was poor at the ripe old age of 7. When she was in pre-k I said to the teachers that I was noticing something. They said she was too young, "she'll gain those skills later". In first grade, the teacher said I see what you are talking about but never did anything. The first days of second grade I called the teacher so she would not fall under the radar. I explained, " my child is foggy, she is easily distracted, she knows something one day and has no idea how to do it the next day. She has significant anxiety when doing homework. She can't ride a bike or catch a ball." The teacher saw this and got her extra reading, math, social skills help but I felt that there was a barrier. Brain Balance, the changes in diet, the exercises have been wonderful and she is now a more confident child, homework time has been cut in half with no anxiety and yes, she can catch a ball and ride a bike. It has been a wonderful experience.
ReplyDeleteThank you SO much for sharing your daughter's story! This program is truly life changing for so many children!
DeleteBest Regards,
Allie
My son Trae is now in the brain balance program. he is at the end of his 4th week. he has a auditory processing and a language processing disorder. The improvements I have seen are fantastic. His weight and physical appearance has improved. He has more confidence and walks tall and proud now. His reading fluency has improved, He is showing more and more signs of his thinking skills improving he notices things and asks more questions, His emotional outbursts have all but stopped, he volunteers to help now when before he had to be forced, He joins in play with other children and even came home from summer school with a phone number for a friend, I could go on and on. I have noticed the bad reviews I keep seeing are from doctors and medical professionals. Are they upset for the loss of business and prescription hand outs. I have not seen one bad review of a client of the center some one who actually has been through the program.
ReplyDeleteWonderful progress - thank you SO much for sharing! I wish you and your son continued success through the program, and beyond!
DeleteI noticed the same thing you did, regarding the negative reviews. Most of them are either from medical professionals or people who have decided for one reason or another that the program "can't" work, without any actual experience with the Brain Balance Program to back up their opinion.
Doctors are quick to dismiss parent testimonials as "anecdotal" or unscientific. Personally, I think parent testimonials are very powerful - who knows a child BETTER than the parents? That is actually the main reason why I have left this blog up and running, three years after we completed the program. This blog is our actual journey through the program, as it happened - the ups and downs, the highs and lows, and everything in between. I wanted parents contemplating the program or going through the program to have access to our story, to know exactly what we went through, and how life changing this program has been for our entire family.
Best Regards,
Allie
Thanks for sharing your story! What wonderful results. It is very helpful for me to read. I have a friend who has enrolled her daughter in the program and I am seeing amazing results and if we can manage to afford it I think I will consider this program.
ReplyDeleteWonderful! Please keep me posted!
DeleteBest Regards,
Allie
Thank you for keeping your blog up. This is very helpful. I see a lot of familiar stories to ours but there is one thing I am really hoping BB can help but I have not seen it named specifically. I have seen people mention self confidence, self esteem and depression... My son has adoption related PTSD even though he came home as an infant. He has zero self worth. It breaks my heart. And, this is where we think all the ADD type symptoms and disconnections are stemming from. Do you know of anyone in a similar situation? I don't know if BB can reach deep enough to address something like this. My understanding is that it is a problem with the limbic (sp?) Brain instead of the right or left hemisphere. Again, thank you very much for sharing!
ReplyDeleteRachel,
DeleteThanks for reading and reaching out. Unfortunately, I do not know the answer to your question. If you have a Brain Balance Center near you, perhaps you could call and speak with the director? They could certainly give you more insight into if and how the program could help your son. I wish you hope and continued healing for your son.
Best Regards,
Allie
Hi Allie. You have no endorsement or other association with Brain Balance? We did our first 36 sessions with Brain Balance. Supposedly the traffic light report shows he has improved but he still has bad behavior occassionally. We are asked to sign him up for another 36 sessions. I would happily invest the next chunk of money if I could feel confident that the bad behaviors were going away and that social skills were going to improve. I'm really disappointed that Brain Balance doesn't report a rigorous efficacy study: what are the stats on the hundreds or thousands of kids that have gone through their programs? Or even a small scientific study of two dozen kids with the same diagnosis and comparable severity and symptoms: half through BB and half not, and double-blind testing and assessment. Lacking that, some really objective, credible, trustworthy parental success stories could help. But how do I know you're not a BB center owner or employee or paid or otherwise compensated endorser?
ReplyDeleteI have no endorsement or other association with Brain Balance. I am simply a parent who has worked with this program for more than four years now with her oldest son, and for over a year now with her middle son. Both boys have seen great improvement in the program, and continue to do exercises daily. However, as a family, we have made necessary changes in our routine and daily lives to support and build on the improvements gained through the Brain Balance Program. For example, a clean diet, regular exercise, and limited "screen time" are all necessary to keeping my children "in balance."
DeleteRegarding the studies you asked about - perhaps those questions could be better answered by Brain Balance directly. (www.brainbalancecenters.com)
And to answer your final question, I guess you will have to trust me. I started this blog as a way to keep our family in the loop while we lived out of town for 5 months for Aidan to attend the Brain Balance Program. I never intended it to be anything more than that, and I considered taking the blog down after we completed the program. Ultimately, I decided to leave it up so that other parents with questions about Brain Balance could use our experience in the program as a resource. This program is HARD, for the kids and their families. It takes total commitment and strict adherence to the guidelines outlined by Brain Balance. (diet/nutrition, daily exercises, screen time limits, etc.) Some days are wonderful, some are extremely difficult, and every emotion in between. For my family, the end results have been completely worth the struggle and the expense. Thanks for reading.
Best Regards,
Allie