1. Earn Their Trust
Children with severe sensory issues often feel out of control and seem to be in “fight or flight” mode most of the time. Let your child know that you understand his issues are real and that you are working on a concrete plan to help minimize his stress and sensory overload. It may sound simple, but parents should do what they say and say what they mean, particularly for kids with special needs. This will help your child feel confident that you are in charge, that he is safe, and that you will be his advocate.

2. Manage Sensory Exposure
If your child has sensory problems, it is critical to stay ahead of known triggers to minimize meltdowns. For kids with hypersensitivity to noise, try giving them a quiet place at home they can go to when they feel overwhelmed and need a break. For older kids, it may help to give them a watch or timer so they know exactly what time a bothersome activity or environment will end. If your child has extreme sensitivity to certain types of clothing, go through his wardrobe together to determine which pieces are tolerable and which ones aren’t. Be an advocate for your child by explaining to others what sensory problems are and how they can help minimize your child’s distress. If possible, create small kits for dealing with sensory problems on the go so you’re always prepared. Kits should include ear plugs for noise, sensory fidgets to keep hands busy, and sticky notes to cover sensors on automatic toilets and hand driers. You may also want to include some headphones and a music player with their favorite music or a book for older kids. Staying ahead of your child’s sensory sensitivities by being prepared can go a long way in minimizing distress.

3. Schedule Silence
If you have a child who is hypersensitive to sensory stimuli, particularly noise and touch, he may benefit from scheduled silent time. Wake your child 15 minutes earlier in the morning to enjoy a favorite activity before school. Whether it be reading, computer time, or a game, make sure your child is quiet and undisturbed. Give your child at least thirty minutes of quiet time after school to rest and reset before bombarding him with questions or commands. Before bed, allow another 30 minutes of quiet time to unwind. Swinging and rocking are beneficial for organizing the senses, so quiet time can include those activities as well.

4. Seek Professional Help
Could your child with extreme sensory sensitivities benefit from increased confidence, better motor skills, and improved sensory integration? Brain Balance Achievement Centers offer the Brain Balance Program® in 57 nationwide locations and growing. After completing a comprehensive assessment of your child’s brain and body function, we integrate physical, sensory-motor, and cognitive exercises with simple dietary changes to optimize brain function and reduce or eliminate negative symptoms and behaviors. Each child’s program is unique to his or her struggles. Contact us today to learn more about our program and take advantage of our special Summer offers!

Many of us shared a classroom with someone the teacher accused of being lazy or inattentive. In the 50s and 60s, no one had ever heard of ADHD. But looking back, we realize that the boy in class who daydreamed, most likely had the disorder—one that doesn’t magically disappear upon reaching maturity.

Today, many adults discover they have ADHD when their children are diagnosed, and they recognize themselves in the checklists of symptoms.

According to a study by the National Resource Center on ADHD, women have only recently begun to be diagnosed and treated. They also appear to experience more psychological distress and have lower self-image than men with ADHD…

A different description of brain training is described by Dr. Robert Melillo, creator and cofounder of Brain Balance Centers, and author of the books Disconnected Kids and Reconnected Kids. Melillo, a chiropractic neurologist, professor and researcher on childhood neurological disorders, has been a clinician for 25 years, and has developed his brain balance program in the last five years. While more experienced with children, he has worked with adults and believes it’s never too late to balance the brain.

Melillos’ multi-modal approach is individualized, depending on which brain deficiencies are identified, and can include changes in diet and specific physical, sensory, cognitive and motor exercises to coordinate both sides of the body and brain. The program includes exercises in which people have to inhibit their natural impulses. He cautions that if a participant doesn’t change habits and lifestyle, everything will go back to the way it was.

So whether you’ve grown up with ADHD or just discovered you actually have the disorder, the reality is there’s hope and help for you.

While little was understood about ADHD in the 50s and 60s, today our understanding of brain function offers hope for kids with the disorder. If you know a child with learning and behavioral issues who struggles academically or socially, consider the Brain Balance Program®. After completing a comprehensive assessment of your child’s brain and body function, we integrate physical, sensory-motor, and cognitive exercises with simple dietary changes to optimize brain function and reduce or eliminate negative symptoms and behaviors. Each child’s program is unique to his or her struggles. Contact us today to learn more about our program and take advantage of our special summer offers!

At Brain Balance, we see hard-working moms come through our doors on a daily basis ready to do whatever it takes to help their children succeed. We are often inspired by their commitment and dedication to their children, and it’s why we do what we do. The entire Brain Balance team is committed to assisting as many mothers as possible as they help their children overcome their unique challenges! So Happy Mother’s Day to all of our amazing mothers, and an extra special thank you to moms of kids with special needs!

If you know a family struggling to help their child with a learning or behavioral disorder this Mother’s Day, Brain Balance could help. Our Achievement Centers offer the Brain Balance Program in 57 nationwide locations and growing. Contact us today to learn more.

We love this idea from The Imagination Tree! Create an outdoor kitchen full of herbs, plant clippings, sand, and mud, and let your kids create all kinds of concoctions. Re-purpose old flower containers, buckets, pots and whatever you can find for mixing. This activity will provide lots of sensory input for children who crave it and encourage children who avoid messy play to give it a try. While this is a great activity for younger kids, we think even older kids will join in the fun of getting creative and dirty outdoors!

Scooter boards are an easy and inexpensive way to build core strength while improving balance and focus. Don’t have a scooter board? Make your own with this simple DIY project! There are many great scooter board activities to choose from, but we especially love the “body bowling” game. Set up toy bowling pins (tall plastic bottles work in a pinch), put your tummy on the scooter board, and use your hands to roll yourself into the “bowling pins”. It’s no secret that exercise releases endorphins and helps calm the nervous system, so head outside in the morning before it gets too hot and try this fun game or make up your own to help your kids strengthen their brains and bodies!

Need a sensory activity for a rainy day? Try this awesome 3-D masking tape maze from The Weekend Homemaker. In a long hallway, stretch multiple pieces of tape from one wall to the other at varying heights along the hall, and have kids try to navigate the maze without touching the tape. This indoor activity encourages balance and coordination and is just plain fun!

If your family has some favorite sensory activities for summertime, please share them with us below in our comments section.

Could your child with learning or behavioral issues benefit from increased confidence, better motor skills, and academic improvement? Brain Balance Achievement Centers offer the Brain Balance Program® in 57 nationwide locations and growing. After completing a comprehensive assessment of your child’s brain and body function, we integrate physical, sensory-motor, and cognitive exercises with simple dietary changes to optimize brain function and reduce or eliminate negative symptoms and behaviors. Each child’s program is unique to his or her struggles. Contact us today to learn more about our program and take advantage of our special Summer offers!

The Las Vegas Review-Journal presents the Brain Balance Achievement Center of Henderson, NV to its audience through a recent article about the facility and an interview with Center Director Susan DeVito. Dr. DeVito explains in the article that her goal is to help as many children as possible through the Brain Balance Program and that by working with young children who have neurobehavioral disorders, she hopes to make real improvements in their brain function for lasting results. She also discusses meeting the need for a non-medical approach to these disorders and offering parents an alternative to medications. Find a link to the article below:

Brain Balance Achievement Center Helps Children With Learning Difficulties

By Michael Lyle
VIEW STAFF WRITER
Posted: May 29, 2012 | 12:17 a.m.

Brain Balance Achievement Centers opened its first Nevada location in Henderson to help children with neurobehavioral and learning difficulties without the use of medications… Read more.

Do you know a child who could benefit from increased confidence, better motor skills, and improved academic performance? Brain Balance Achievement Centers could help. Clinical research indicates that all neuro-behavioral disorders share an imbalance of electrical activity in the brain that we refer to as a Functional Disconnection. After completing a comprehensive assessment of your child’s brain and body function, our team integrates physical, sensory-motor, and cognitive exercises to correct the imbalance leading to a reduction or elimination of negative symptoms and behaviors.

Our proprietary, non-medical program has helped thousands of kids reach their physical, social, behavioral, and academic potential. We work with children who have symptoms of ADHD, Dyslexia, OCD, Tourette Syndrome, Asperger Syndrome, and learning disorders. (A child with mild to moderate Autism may also be a candidate for our program.) Each child’s program is unique to his or her struggles. Contact us today to learn more about our program and take advantage of our special summer offers!

Parent Lecture and Book Signing
Tuesday, May 8, 2012 from 11:30am to 12:30pm
The Women’s Club of Encino
4924 Paso Robles Ave.
Encino, CA 91316

As a parent, are you at the end of your rope? Thousands of children with learning and behavioral disorders and their families have found help through the Brain Balance Program®! Dr. Robert Melillo, an internationally recognized author, professor, and researcher with expertise in neurology, nutrition, and childhood developmental disorders will be discussing how parents can help their children succeed. Parents of kids with ADHD, Autism, Dyslexia, Asperger Syndrome, Learning Disabilities, OCD, PDD-NOS, and Tourette Syndrome should attend. A book signing session with follow the parent lecture.

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
Tuesday, May 8, 2012 from 5pm to 6pm
The Brain Balance Achievement Center of Encino
17323 Ventura Blvd. Suite 100
Encino, CA 91316

Join us at the Brain Balance Achievement Center for a ribbon cutting ceremony with representatives from the Encino Chamber of Commerce. Tour our facility and meet the team! Dr. Robert Melillo, creator and co-founder of Brain Balance, will be on hand for this exciting community event.

Professional Lecture and Book Signing
Wednesday, May 9, 2012 from 7pm to 8:30pm
The Courtyard By Marriott, Sherman Oaks
15433 Ventura Blvd.
Sherman Oaks, CA 91403

Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to hear Dr. Robert Melillo, creator of the Brain Balance Program® and author of Disconnected Kids, as he discusses childhood neuro-behavioral disorders using a brain-based perspective. Dr. Melillo will explain Functional Disconnection Syndrome and how it contributes to these disorders for Encino area professionals. He will also share how our program addresses and improves these issues and can make a huge difference in the lives of families dealing with these disorders. A book signing session will follow the lecture.

More About Brain Balance
Could your child with learning and/or behavioral issues benefit from better social skills, increased confidence, and academic improvement? Consider the Brain Balance Program®.

Clinical research indicates that neuro-behavioral disorders share an imbalance of electrical activity in the brain that we refer to as a Functional Disconnection. After completing a comprehensive assessment of your child’s brain and body function, our team integrates physical, sensory-motor, and cognitive exercises to correct the imbalance and improve motor function, which leads to a reduction or elimination of negative symptoms and behaviors.

Our proprietary, non-medical program has helped thousands of kids reach their physical, social, behavioral, and academic potential. Brain Balance Achievement Centers offer the Brain Balance Program® in 57 nationwide locations and growing. Contact us today or attend one of our Encino area lectures to learn more.

The Brain Balance Achievement Center of Encino, CA is located at 17323 Ventura Blvd suite 100
and can be reached directly at 818-387-8656.

Special Summer Offers From Participating Brain Balance Locations
Do you know a child who could benefit from increased confidence, better social skills, and academic improvement? Enjoy and share these special Summer offers!

If your child has already experienced the Brain Balance difference, receive a $50 Visa gift card when you refer a friend to our program. Offer valid with full program registration by August 15, 2012 at participating centers.

Brain Balance Achievement Centers offer the Brain Balance Program® in 57 nationwide locations and growing. Contact us today to learn more about our program, or use our center locator and search by zip code to find a participating center near you to take advantage of these special offers!

More About Brain Balance Achievement Centers
Clinical research indicates that learning and behavioral disorders share an imbalance of electrical activity in the brain that we refer to as a Functional Disconnection. After completing a comprehensive assessment of your child’s brain and body function, our team integrates physical, sensory-motor, and cognitive exercises with simple dietary changes to correct the imbalance and improve motor function, which leads to a reduction or elimination of negative symptoms and behaviors. The Brain Balance Program® is a holistic and individualized approach to help children overcome unique challenges.

Lecture for Parents and Professionals
Tuesday, April 24, 2012 at 6pm
Green Valley Ranch Resort
2300 Paseo Verde Parkway
Henderson, NV 89052

Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to hear Dr. Robert Melillo, creator of the Brain Balance Program® and author of Disconnected Kids, as he discusses childhood neuro-behavioral disorders using a brain-based perspective. Dr. Melillo will explain Functional Disconnection Syndrome and how it contributes to these disorders for Henderson area parents and professionals. He will also share how our program addresses and improves these issues and can make a huge difference in the lives of families dealing with these disorders. To attend this event, please RSVP by calling 702-778-9500 to reserve your seat!

More About Brain Balance
Could your child with learning and/or behavioral issues benefit from better social skills, increased confidence, and academic improvement? Consider the Brain Balance Program®.

Clinical research indicates that neuro-behavioral disorders share an imbalance of electrical activity in the brain that we refer to as a Functional Disconnection. After completing a comprehensive assessment of your child’s brain and body function, our team integrates physical, sensory-motor, and cognitive exercises to correct the imbalance and improve motor function, which leads to a reduction or elimination of negative symptoms and behaviors.

Our proprietary, non-medical program has helped thousands of kids reach their physical, social, behavioral, and academic potential. We work with children who have symptoms of ADHD, Dyslexia, OCD, Tourette Syndrome, and Asperger Syndrome. (In some cases, a child with mild to moderate Autism may also be a candidate for our program.) Brain Balance Achievement Centers offer the Brain Balance Program® in 57 nationwide locations and growing. Contact us today or attend our lecture on April 24th to learn more about our program.

The Brain Balance Achievement Center of Henderson, NV is located at 11 South Stephanie Street Suite 120 and can be reached directly at 702-778-9500.

Brandon’s Brain Balance Journey

Could your child with learning and/or behavioral issues benefit from increased confidence, better social skills, and academic improvement? Consider the Brain Balance Program®.

Clinical research indicates that these disorders share an imbalance of electrical activity in the brain that we refer to as a Functional Disconnection. After completing a comprehensive assessment of your child’s brain and body function, our team integrates physical, sensory-motor, and cognitive exercises to correct the imbalance and improve motor function, which leads to a reduction or elimination of negative symptoms and behaviors.

Our proprietary, non-medical program has helped thousands of kids reach their physical, social, behavioral, and academic potential. We work with children who have ADHD, Dyslexia, OCD, Tourette Syndrome, and Asperger Syndrome. (In some cases, a child with mild to moderate Autism may also be a candidate for our program.) Brain Balance Achievement Centers offer the Brain Balance Program® in 57 nationwide locations and growing. Contact us today to learn more!

Monday, April 16

Brain Balance Achievement Center of Edwardsville Ribbon Cutting and Open House – 10:30am
1063 South State Route 157 Suite 4
Edwardsville, IL 62025
Join us at the Center for a ribbon cutting ceremony with representatives from the Edwardsville Chamber of Commerce. Tour our facility and meet the team! Dr. Robert Melillo, creator and co-founder of Brain Balance, will be on hand for this exciting community event.

Educators and Professionals Lecture on Neuro-behavioral Disorders – 4:00pm
Lincoln Middle School
145 West St.
Edwardsville, IL 62025-1467
Don’t miss this opportunity to hear Dr. Robert Melillo as he discusses childhood neuro-behavioral disorders using a brain-based perspective. Dr. Melillo will explain Functional Disconnection Syndrome and how it contributes to these disorders for Edwardsville area educators and professionals. Due to limited seating, please call 618-806-1046 to RSVP by April 15th.

Tuesday, April 17

Parent Lecture on Neuro-Behavioral Disorders – 7:00pm
Lincoln Middle School
145 West St.
Edwardsville, IL 62025-1467
As a parent, are you at the end of your rope? Thousands of children with learning and behavioral disorders and their families have found help… Now you can too! Dr. Robert Melillo, an internationally recognized author, professor, and researcher with an expertise in neurology, neuropsychology, neuroscience, nutrition, parenting and childhood developmental disorders will be discussing how you as parents can help turn your child’s life around. Parents of children with ADHD, Autism, Dyslexia, Asperger Syndrome, Learning Disabilities, OCD, PDD-NOS, and Tourette Syndrome should attend. The lecture will be followed by a book signing with Dr. Robert Melillo. Due to limited seating, please call 618-806-1046 to RSVP by April 15th.

Brain Balance Achievement Centers offer the Brain Balance Program ® in 57 nationwide locations. The Brain Balance Program® is an individualized and comprehensive approach to helping children with neurobehavioral and learning difficulties surmount their unique challenges. Contact us today to learn more!