This past holiday season, we shared a popular post about helping kids with learning and behavioral disorders avoid stress and sensory related meltdowns. Enjoy and share this updated version for summer with tips and strategies to help parents keep kids calm and focused once the school year is finished. At Brain Balance, we want everyone to enjoy this busy and fun season, especially those with special needs like SPD,  ADHD and Asperger Syndrome.

1. Keep A Schedule
Whether it’s a written schedule or one with pictures for younger kids, your child with special needs will feel calmer and safer knowing what is coming next. During summer break, it can be more difficult to give your child a concrete schedule since activities can be short-lived or even spontaneous. For the parts of your day that are open-ended, try adding a block of time to your child’s schedule called “open play” or use a question mark to indicate the time slot has yet to be filled. Discuss the schedule regularly and provide information for spontaneous events as they arise. For example, if you decide to go out for ice cream, let your child help you draw or write it in the schedule. Always let your child know which events will take place outdoors and which will be loud or crowded. For kids with special needs, more information means better transitions.

2. Use A Code Word
Choose a code word your child can use if he or she feels overwhelmed and needs a break. Assure your child if he or she uses the code word, you will respond right away. Again, giving children some control during activities that may be overstimulating for them will reduce anxiety. This technique could be particularly helpful during parades or at your neighborhood’s crowded pool.

3. Have A Family Meeting
Before you attend parties, parades, or other fun events, have a quick family meeting so your whole family knows how long you plan to stay and how you expect them to behave. This will benefit neuro-typical children as well, since any child can get overstimulated from summertime excitement.

4. Make Sleep A Priority
Continue to make your child’s sleep schedule a priority even in summer. While you may adjust your schedule to accommodate a later sunset, it is still important to establish consistent sleep and wake times throughout the season. Revert to your school schedule two to three weeks before school begins again so your child is well-rested and ready to learn.

5. Plan Ahead
Children with significant sensory sensitives may require a little extra planning to enjoy summer activities. For example, you may need to bring along ear plugs if you will be in a noisy environment or sensory fidgets if the child is expected to sit still. For sensitive kids who need to wear bathing suits or other potentially aggravating attire, bring along soft, comfortable clothes for them to change into as soon as possible. Be prepared by knowing your child’s specific limitations and how you will handle them if the need arises. Don’t wait for the meltdown to begin.

6. Be Inclusive
If your family members have food sensitives or allergies that prevent them from eating summertime treats, plan ahead to offer alternatives like all-natural candy or a gluten-free treat from home. Children with neuro-behavioral disorders like ADHD and autism often feel different already, so make an extra effort to include them in as many festivities as possible.

Keeping kids calm and focused this summer isn’t out of reach. A little extra planning and preparation can help your child with special needs enjoy all the fun things summer has to offer.

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!

Do you know a special needs mom? Being a mom is one of the most rewarding and also one of the most challenging jobs a woman can have. Add special needs to the mix, and that sentiment takes on a whole new meaning. Take a moment this Mother’s Day weekend to encourage and support those moms who work extra hard to help their children with special needs connect with success. Let them know they are a tireless inspiration for their kids and for others, even when they don’t realize it.

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.

Kids with learning and behavioral problems often have issues with sensory processing and motor skills. Finding sensory activities your kids enjoy can help fill long summer days while improving motor planning and processing skills. Below we’ve compiled some of our favorite sensory-based and imaginative play ideas for you and your children to enjoy this Summer:

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!

Announcing the grand opening of the Brain Balance Achievement Center of Encino, CA. If you live in the Encino area, please join us for the following grand opening events:

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.

Do you have a child with learning or behavioral challenges? One Summer can make a difference! For over a decade, the Brain Balance Program® has changed the lives of kids suffering with ADHD, learning disorders, and behavioral issues. Our ground-breaking 12 week program provides lasting results because we don’t just work with your child’s strengths or compensate for weaknesses. We tackle the issue head on by addressing the root cause at the most fundamental level. We integrate cognitive, sensory-motor, and nutritional training into our highly effective, drug-free program that targets your child’s specific challenges.

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!

Receive a FREE Comprehensive Assessment when you enroll for Summer at a participating Brain Balance Achievement Center by August 15, 2012. Offer valid with full program enrollment and cannot be combined with any other offer.

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.

Announcing the grand opening of the Brain Balance Achievement Center of Henderson, NV. If you live in the Henderson area, please join us for the following grand opening event:

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.

Read this exciting Brain Balance review from happy parents after their son with Dysgraphia and Dyspraxia reached week 12 of his Brain Balance journey. Brandon’s parents are thrilled that he is experiencing increased confidence at home and school, better social skills, and academic improvement. (If you have a small screen, click the link to read in a new window.)

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!

Announcing the grand opening of the Brain Balance Achievement Center of Edwardsville, IL. If you live in the Edwardsville area, please join us for the following grand opening events:

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!

Children with psychiatric symptoms have often presented with gross motor problems, but recently researchers from the Faculty of Human Movement Sciences, VU University in Amsterdam set out to determine if the converse was true. Do children diagnosed with gross motor issues have psychiatric symptoms as well? The researchers determined there is a high risk of psychiatric problems in children with gross motor issues. Read the abstract from the study below:

Source

Faculty of Human Movement Sciences, VU University in Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Abstract

Children with psychiatric disorders often demonstrate gross motor problems. This study investigates if the reverse also holds true by assessing psychiatric symptoms present in children with gross motor problems. Emotional, behavioral, and autism spectrum disorders (ASD), as well as psychosocial problems, were assessed in a sample of 40 children with gross motor problems from an elementary school population (aged 7 through 12 years). Sixty-five percent of the sample met the criteria for psychiatric classification. Anxiety disorders were found most often (45%), followed by ASD (25%) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorders (15%). Internalizing (51%) and social problems (41%) were prominent, as was “stereotyped behavior” (92%) and “resistance to changes” (92%). Self-perceived incompetence was restricted to domains that were indeed impaired (i.e., the athletic and social domains). The results suggest that children with gross motor problems are strongly at risk for psychiatric problems including anxiety, internalization, and ASD.

What does this mean for parents of kids with gross motor issues? Brain Balance has long contended that motor drives function. In other words, improving sensory-motor skills in kids with neuro-behavioral disorders can help reduce or eliminate negative symptoms and behaviors. 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 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, and Asperger Syndrome. (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. Contact us today to learn more!

Ask parents of kids with learning and behavioral disorders if their children experience problems with sensory processing, and many of them will answer with a resounding “yes”. While it is widely accepted that most children with Autism Spectrum Disorders have trouble integrating sensory input, the fact that children who aren’t on the spectrum also experience these issues to varying degrees is now being examined more closely by the special needs community.  While all children can seem quirky or particular about their likes and dislikes, children with Sensory Processing Disorder (also called Sensory Integration Dysfunction) will be so severely affected by their sensory preferences that it interferes with their normal, everyday functioning. Sensory issues are usually defined as either hypersensitivity (over-responsiveness) or hyposensitivity (under-responsiveness) to sensory stimuli. Below, find some common signs of Sensory Processing Disorder.

Hypersensitivities to sensory input may include:

• Extreme response to or fear of sudden, high-pitched, loud, or metallic noises like flushing toilets, clanking silverware, or other noises that seem unoffensive to others

• May notice and/or be distracted by background noises that others don’t seem to hear

• Fearful of surprise touch, avoids hugs and cuddling even with familiar adults

• Seems fearful of crowds or avoids standing in close proximity to others

• Doesn’t enjoy a game of tag and/or is overly fearful of swings and playground equipment

• Extremely fearful of climbing or falling, even when there is no real danger i.e. doesn’t like his or her feet to be off the ground

• Has poor balance, may fall often

Hyposensitivities to sensory input may include:

• A constant need to touch people or textures, even when it’s inappropriate to do so

• Doesn’t understand personal space even when same-age peers are old enough to understand it

• Clumsy and uncoordinated movements

• An extremely high tolerance for or indifference to pain

• Often harms other children and/or pets when playing, i.e. doesn’t understand his or her own strength

• May be very fidgety and unable to sit still, enjoys movement-based play like spinning, jumping, etc.

• Seems to be a “thrill seeker” and can be dangerous at times

For a more detailed list of Sensory Processing Disorder symptoms, please click here.

Does your child have sensory issues that inhibit his or her daily functioning? At Brain Balance, we believe every child can connect with success. Our Achievement Centers offer the Brain Balance Program® in 57 (and growing) nationwide locations. We work with children who exhibit symptoms of SPD, ADHD, Learning Disorders, OCD, Tourette Syndrome, and Asperger Syndrome. (In some cases, a child with mild to moderate Autism may also be a candidate for our 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/eliminate negative symptoms and behaviors. Each child’s program is unique to his or her struggles. Contact us today to learn more.