Aidan has been diagnosed with ADHD and Sensory Processing Disorder. He also has a laundry list of other medical issues, including food allergies and sensitivities, heavy metal toxicity, and encephalopathy. Aidan is prone to strep infections, and frequently battles bacterial and yeast overgrowth in his gut. Prior to Brain Balance, these combined medical issues would often result in significant aggression and behavior problems, both at home and at school.
Andy and I do not believe that medication is the answer for Aidan, and so we have spent the last 5+ years treating Aidan with the following biomedical interventions: GF/CF diet, various vitamin/mineral supplements (including methyl B-12 injections), IV chelation therapy, hyperbaric oxygen treatment, homeopathy, chiropractic care, and occupational therapy. These combined therapies have all resulted in some forward progress, but often an illness or infection could all but erase any progress.
We began working with the Brain Balance Home Program in September of 2010, after learning about the program at a Zac Brown Band concert. Within two weeks, we were noticing great changes at home. By the four week mark, others were noticing and commenting as well. After nine months of slow, but steady progress, we knew we HAD to put Aidan through the program at a Brain Balance Center. My three boys and I relocated to the Atlanta area from June-October of 2011, and the results have truly changed Aidan's life forever! His performance in school, both academically and behaviorally, has exceeded our expectations at every turn! We are so very proud of Aidan, and so very grateful for the Brain Balance Program and our friends at Brain Balance Atlanta.
Here is Aidan, with Dr. Peter Scire, Director of the North Fulton Brain Balance Center in Atlanta, on his Graduation Day from the Brain Balance Program!
I read your story regarding Aidan and I'm literally in tears. My son will be 5 in Sept and my husband and I are struggling so hard with him. His name is Emory and he too has SPD with impulsive/aggressive behavior. He has been released from several pre-school/daycare programs due to his behavior. I have also quit my job and put my career on hold to help my son as I cannot find care for him. I looked into the brain balance center within my area and I'm really wanting to give it a try, although it's very costly. I am looking at alternate options due to me not wanting to put my son on medication. Your story inspired me a lot and I'm pleased to hear that brain balance worked for you! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for your feedback, and I wish you the very best for your son. Your situation sounds so very similar to mine - putting my job and career on hold to be a full time caregiver/IEP advocate/health insurance guru for Aidan. It's worth it, Mama. And in my experience, so is Brain Balance.
DeleteBest Regards,
Allie
Thank you so much for blogging about this. I live in Atlanta and have been thinking that Brain Balance may be beneficial for my 4 year old son but can't help but be skeptical. We have no formal diagnosis, but he has been dismissed from one pre-school and is receiving one-to-one assistance in his new school because he is so overwhelmed by the environment and does not want to participate in anything. I believe he definitely has some sensory/anxiety stuff plus some ADHD symptoms (impulsivity). It is so costly, so I'm afraid we will put the time and money into Brain Balance and it won't work. Any suggestions you have would help tremendously! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment. I apologize for the late reply - emails are not reaching me when new comments are posted lately.
DeleteI understand your concern about the cost, and your skepticism. I can only tell you this - Brain Balance is by far the BEST money we have ever spent for Aidan. (And we spent a small fortune on biomedical interventions prior to Brain Balance.) The best advice I can give you is this: Get Dr. Robert Melillo's book, "Disconnected Kids" and read it. This book changed my life. Every page I turned made me more certain that this program was THE answer for Aidan. Then, attend a free parent lecture at one of the Brain Balance Centers in Atlanta, WITH your spouse (if applicable). In my experience, the Brain Balance directors do a fantastic job explaining their program, the how and the WHY it is so successful, and answering any and ALL questions that parents have. This lecture was absolutely key to getting my husband on board with the program, and to helping my husband really UNDERSTAND some of the behaviors that we were seeing with Aidan.
If you decide to proceed with the assessment, bring a tape recorder to the ROA (Review of Assessment) meeting - it's a TON of information.
And if I can help further, please email allmash@hotmail.com. Best Regards for you and your family.
Allie
I am going to open house tonight at Brain Balance in Roswell. My son was diagnosed at 5 with PANDAS related to strep infections and now 9 years old. We tried everything. five years almost of antibiotics daily high dose, IVIG infusions every 8 weeks, a long list of meds and vitamins and GF diet. Helps then as soon as strep comes around down hill again. Curious to know after the program and your child was around infection again did the program from Brain Balance still help him and if so how? My child is now fighting not only PANDAS but anger and depression from all the years of being sick.
ReplyDeleteI apologize for the late response - I am no longer getting emails as new comments are posted for review. Aidan battled strep for a very long time, and one infection could all but erase any progress he had made. Antibiotics to treat strep caused further issues with yeast and gut bacteria as well.
DeleteThe Brain Balance Program was very helpful in strengthening both Aidan's gut and his immune system. Since completing the program three years ago, Aidan has only had strep twice, and both times overcame it quickly and without lasting effects. (Once I treated with antibiotics, and once naturally with essential oils.) He has also been exposed to strep several times when his brothers had it, and most times Aidan did NOT get strep. Prior to Brain Balance, Aidan contracted active strep several times a year, and his titers were always above the normal range when we checked his blood for strep. I hope this helps you, and again, I apologize for the late response. If you would like to chat, please reach out at allmash@hotmail.com. Best Regards for hope and healing for you and your son.
Allie
Hello - It has been two years since you last posted progress on your son. Have the positive results remained or has there been any changes?
DeleteYou are correct, it has been quite a while since I posted an update. I've been on the fence about whether or not I should continue to post updates on this blog. Until I make my decision, here is a little update I recently shared with someone.
DeleteDo we continue to see positive results for Aidan? ABSOLUTELY. He still does some quick exercises at home and throughout his school day (He still has an IEP, and we've written his Brain Balance "sensory breaks" into his IEP at regular intervals throughout his school day, with GREAT success.) Aidan has been an honor roll student since completing the program. He swims with Savannah Swim Team (SST) year round (2nd year), and competed in a summer swim league at the YMCA for the 2nd time this past summer. Aidan spent a good chunk of this summer attending day camp, and even spent a week at an overnight camp (for the first time EVER!) He loves to read, surf, paddle board, ride his bike, and play soccer (he played on a spring soccer team earlier this year, and will likely play again this spring.) Last year, he attended several play dates and birthday parties for classmates, and even had a friend spend the night at our house!
LIFE CHANGING results for Aidan - thanks to the Brain Balance Program.
Best Regards,
Allie