James Tolmosoff

Parent Testimonial: Susanna Tolmosoff

Brain Balance Center Visalia

James age 10 completed 48 one-hour sessions on 16 December 2019

What challenges initially brought you to Brian Balance for your child?

James was academically challenged by dyslexia.  Thus he was unable to receive instruction, complete tasks in a reasonable time, and gave a blank stare when reprimanded.   He was unable to communicate feelings or thoughts.  He was argumentative.  He had erratic behavior.  All of this caused a lot of tension between I and my spouse

How have these challenges improved over the course of the Brain Balance Program?  Please provide examples

James maintains a routine. He acknowledges his behavior and is willing to correct himself.  He takes initiative to complete tasks, responds to being reprimanded, and he is aware that he is debating me.  He takes other people’s feelings into consideration.  He has empathy for others now. He had a day scheduled to do an activity with his aunt, he chose to play with his friend instead, which she agreed to.  Late in the day he came to me worried about how she felt and if she was OK because they didn’t spend the day together.  I said she was and he accepted that fact.  Before Brain Balance that would not have occurred to him.

How has the Brain Balance Program impacted your life and your child’s life?

Every day is a Successful Day!  Being able to communicate with my child, giving and receiving information, understanding my child and him understanding me, has changed the whole family dynamics.  The tension between my husband and I is gone.  We are able to communicate, to respect, respond, love and be empathetic to each other more.  James is happier and successful and less fearful in life.  It feels like we all live in the same world now.

What would you say to someone who is on the fence about enrolling their child in the Brain Balance Program?

The program works.  I have been working with James since he was 2.  I have followed other people’s stories and tried their suggestions, read books and researched online how to help James with his behavior, concentration, picky eating, erratic emotions, academics and social behaviors.  I created my own games, restricted his diet, he’s attended eye therapy for years.  I have disciplined him with taking away privileges or rewarding him but neither worked consistently or changed any behaviors or got results.  I was at the end of my ideas or what to do.  I just couldn’t accept that my son would go through the rest of his life with all these challenges and that our relationship would always be one continuous debate.

I was at a homeschool conference when I met Nathen (Brain Balance Center Director) and became aware of Brain Balance.  It has changed by son’s life, my husband’s life and my life.  The future is bright, and I am now excited to my by son’s teacher and most of all his mother.

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Athena Contreras
Parent Testimonial: David and Wafa Contreras
Brain Balance Center Visalia
Athena age 12 Completed 72 hours January 2020

What challenges initially brought you to Brian Balance for your child?
Not doing good in school, poor grades and struggling with homework.
Behavior issues.
No friends.
Defiance towards parents.

How have these challenges improved over the course of the Brain Balance Program? Please provide examples.
She has excelled in math.
She is no longer defiant towards us.
She has a lot of friends.
She no longer has behavior issues.
How has the Brain Balance Program impacted your life and your child’s life?
Changed diet.
Added exercises.
From struggling in math to excelling in math.
No longer defiant towards us.
Athena has a lot of friends and is happier.

What would you say to someone who is on the fence about enrolling their child in the Brain Balance Program?

Try it out, you will be pleasantly surprised.

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What challenges initially brought you to Brain Balance for your child?
Cyrus was diagnosed with ADHD and we allowed medication as a treatment method for a couple of years, which caused him to lose weight that created another development issue. We couldn’t interrupt his behavioral tendencies. Such as, he acted unaware and seemed stuck or trapped within a restless mode, unable to hear us or receive the words we were saying to him.  Our family had gotten into bad habits as to how we were speaking and reacting to behavior, our ability to cope had become overly stimulated. We were sensitive and desperate to help him and ourselves grow with corrective actions.  Negative versus positive reinforcement had become a more common way to give attention. Every day felt scattered and unorganized due to his unpredictable behavior and constant disobedience.

How have these challenges improved over the course of the Brain Balance Program?  Please provide examples.
It was after our center work ended when we noticed major improvements.  During the program, a better diet allowed him to gain weight and, from the beginning of center work throughout the program his core strength improvements were obvious. Our son is paying closer attention to his behavior and our reactions have had to adjust, which is difficult, we are not used to riding the old roller coaster just half-way.  His development seems to have become less uneven, which results in a calmer behavior.  He has done subtly things like, he gently touched my face and hair recently; I think it was for the first time he noticed these textures. Another example, just after I had gotten done explaining the importance of doing his best on school work, he asked me, “Mom, I’m tired of working hard, aren’t you?” His question (pleasantly) surprised me, like a break in the clouds during a rainstorm.  He still interrupts people when talking but now he’ll catch himself and apologize and say, “I’ll wait my turn”.

How has the Brain Balance Program impacted your Child’s life and your family’s life?
It has given our child a chance to experience his age, while still as a child.  He probably feels so much more happy and less confused, his parents are looking and feeling less angry and anxious when speaking to him.  We truly have a renewed child, and we are getting a new lens on our eyes too. We have been through a lot emotionally, before Brain Balance our lives was a survival and struggle. It is really wonderful to be able to move forward, getting this amazing opportunity to break-free from most of the old ways. Plus, we feel more comfortable leaving him alone with his younger sibling.

What would you say to someone who is on the fence about enrolling their child in the Brain Balance Program?
– Don’t wait. Commit 100%. A lifetime of results will return your investment. The longer the imbalance persists, an increase of tension and decrease of development is bound to occur.

What Challenges Initially brought you to Brain Balance for your child?

Our son was not doing very well in school.   He was having personality clashes with other kids and teachers.  He also had physical issues. He was badly overweight. With his lack of emotional control, his problems interacting with other students and teachers and academics we were concerned that he would not be able to function in society.

How have these challenges improved over the course of the Brain Balance Program?

His personality has really come out, especially over the last few months. His personality has really come out now; it’s like when he as much younger.  Over the last couple of years he has been introverted. That was not my son. Physically also he had challenges. He was carrying around quite a bit of weight.  He was 240 pounds so for a very young teenager that is not acceptable and being this overweight has a lot of health factors. He is now down to 152 lbs. It started a little bit before brain balance.  Brain Balance’s much healthier diet contributed to the weight loss. Both a better diet and starting boxing contributed to the weight loss. He is a whole new person. Brain Balance helped him to be physically aware of his body.  Now how he looks at his body and the world, teachers has changed. He is starting to take more pride in how he looks. Others are complimenting him on how he looks.

How has Brain Balance impacted your child life and your family’s life?

He is more aware of himself and others.  He is now proud of his body and cares about his looks.

Teachers and counselors have noticed an improvement in his personality.  A great big improvement He is making friends and even changed his attitude toward another boy with whom he had gotten into fight this year in school.

At home he and his mother used to clash.  That has changed and Andy has better control of emotions.

He is going to have [to] deal with teachers and bosses in real world.  He will need to get along with others especially those in authority like the police.  His attitude is changing. Now he will be able to look at the outside world and think that he can get along with others.  This was our biggest concern, even more than grades.

What would you say to someone who is on the fence about enrolling their child in the Brain Balance Program?

Brain Balance Works.  If you’re concerned about behavior and academics, Brain Balance addresses these issues.

Is there anything else?

A few weeks before we completed the Brain Balance program, Andy asked that I not take him out of the Brain Balance program.   So I asked him why he would he think I would take him out. He said, “I can feel some of the changes.” I asked him what he meant.  He said he can feel the difference in emotional control, when he is confronted. Also he took a summer school English class and he completed [it] in just a week.  He told me that he can actually feel the difference Brain Balance has made in him. He was telling me that he wanted to finish the program and was getting positive results.  And that came from him.

– Roberta Ruiz and Francisco Gomez

What Challenges Initially brought you to Brain Balance for your child?

We were worried because of her lack of maturity and understanding for her age.  She was always nervous and having trouble remembering things. She would get lost when we would go to the store.  Sometimes she would have temper tantrums. Also she did not have a lot of empathy for her age. Our concerns started when she was six.  Zaira struggled with school. We were hoping that being retained in second grade would help along with the intervention plan at school, but it was not enough and we did not see the improvements we were hoping for. The school counselors said she was not intellectually disabled but they did not have the resources to help her.  That is when my husband and I decided to get help from Brain Balance.

How have these challenges improved over the course of the Brain Balance Program?

She has improved so much, I don’t know where to begin.  She has become very independent and responsible. She was very nervous and anxious and she worried a lot.  That is all gone. She understands more. She is aware of her surrounding; [she’s] remembering more things.  She does have empathy now. I am very happy that she is understanding what is going on around her. For example, awareness of time.   A lot of people that know us have noticed the difference in her behavior and maturity. Before she was very shy, now she is outspoken and advocates for herself.  She protects her younger brother and even gives advice to her older sister.

How has Brain Balance impacted your child’s life and your family’s life?

It has been a very positive impact on our whole family.   Since we were at Brain Balance we gained greater awareness of what we were eating and we learned how to make healthy choices.  Our whole family has changed our eating habits because we wanted to be very supportive of Zaira. We learned how the brain works.  We learned about ADHD and how it is possible to stimulate the brain to help a child become stronger in areas they are weak. Zaira is much stronger in the areas she was weak, even her vision improved significantly.

Now I am able to leave her home with her younger brother who is 5 and not worry.  She now has a pet puppy and she takes care of the dog, feeding him, cleaning the dog run and giving him baths.  She is now very responsible and takes care of her chores.

What would you say to someone who is on the fence about enrolling their child in the Brain Balance Program?

I would tell them not to hesitate to enroll.  They might not see changes right away and they should not to be concerned if they see something negative like angry outbursts.  These are signs that program is working. In our case we were seeing changes every week. It was very exciting. At the end you see all this growth and it is worth it – every penny.  I recommend it 100%.

Is there anything else?

I really loved the staff.  Everybody was very supportive and encouraging.  When I was concerned about a reaction or had a frustration with what was happening, Nathan the Center Director would assure me that things will change and could get better by next week.  I felt like everybody here was family. Also, Director Kristi went to the school and made contact with Ziara’s teachers. They were very impressed with all the information provided. I was impressed that the Brain Balance team cared about my daughter’s education and wanted to be involved in that.

– Brenda Pelayo

Parent Testimonial: Yee Zong Lee and Daniel Kong, parents of Matthias Kong

Brain Balance Center Visalia

Matthias Kong age 10 Completed 97 hours January 2021

What challenges initially brought you to Brian Balance for your child?

Our son was having trouble focusing in the classroom, comprehending, processing information, talking with eye contact, and was performing poorly academically. We’ve been informed before to have him try meds but we wanted to find an alternative and came upon this program.

How have these challenges improved over the course of the Brain Balance Program? Please provide examples.

Matthias has improved tremendously on his physical reflexes and eye coordination. He’s also able to make eye contact when socializing with others.

How has the Brain Balance Program impacted your life and your child’s life?

With Matthias’ primitive reflexes and eye coordination up to date, he’s progressing slowly academically and we do see a difference. Although it may not be at the pace we’d like it to be, it’s important to us that he is making progress at some level.

What would you say to someone who is on the fence about enrolling their child in the Brain Balance Program?

Every child performs and progresses differently. Don’t compare your child to others. You never know until you give the program a try. I understand that the program is costly but your child is worth fighting for and worth trying anything for. You won’t know the benefits of this program until you try it and when you try it, it’s crucial that you are 100% involved and committed in his home exercises.

Is there anything else that you would like to add?

My son truly enjoys being in the program. He’s sad that it has come to an end but he truly believes in the benefits of this program.

Azorah, Age 8 Completed 72 hours October 30, 2020

What challenges initially brought you to Brain Balance for your child?

Our daughter struggled with basic everyday tasks. She had intense sensory processing issues. Getting dressed everyday was a struggle. Not only did she struggle with putting on clothes and shoes by herself, she constantly complained that they felt uncomfortable. She could not tolerate wearing socks or having pants touching her ankles, and was extremely sensitive to textures. She also experienced auditory processing issues. She was unable to comprehend a simple story being read to her, or even understand simple directions. She was also very forgetful. She never slept well and frequently suffered from night terrors. She was socially awkward, had poor communication skills and struggled making friends. She suffered from anxiety, specifically separation anxiety. She was emotionally unstable. If she felt frustrated, which was almost always, she would just a have a complete meltdown. There was no such thing as talking her through it or breathing through it. Nothing could calm her down. We had tried every strategy we could find to help our daughter, but nothing was working. We were always emotionally, mentally and physically exhausted. Our daughter seemed like she didn’t know how function in this world, and our life felt chaotic and upside down. Then, in an answer to prayer, Brain Balance came along.

How have these challenges improved over the course of the Brain Balance Program?

Gradually and SIGNIFICANTLY!!!! Within few weeks we saw that overall she just had a more positive attitude. She became more (respectfully)assertive in communicating her needs/wants instead of just complaining that something didn’t go her way. She was taking more initiative in talking with kids. Then she started paying attention when we would read books to her, and answer simple questions correctly. She began focusing better in school. Her self esteem was increasing. After that, we began noticing that she could emotionally handle difficult situations better. If she was frustrated when doing something she would respond well to encouragement and started to develop more stamina in working through those frustrating tasks. Where as before, she would completely meltdown or shutdown. In response to this new found stamina, determination and ability to focus our daughter finally had major breakthrough in learning to read. Lastly, she now can get dressed quickly, ALL BY HERSELF. There is far less sensitivity to clothing. While she still doesn’t prefer wearing socks/pants she can tolerate it now and it doesn’t completely disrupt her day. She is also sleeping through the night peacefully and SO ARE WE!!!! And one of the best gifts is that my daughter enjoys giving hugs and being hugged now. Because of her intense sensory issues, she really disliked any form of touch. So, there were no snuggles on the couch with her and when we tried to hug her there was no reciprocation. But now not only does our daughter enjoy our snuggles and hugs, she wraps her arms around us in return, and that is truly one of the best feelings in the world!

How has the Brain Balance Program impacted your child’s life and your family’s life?  

Life felt out of control! Now we have peace in our home. Our family dynamic has completely changed for the better. My daughter has always had a big heart. She has always been kind spirited. Now, those qualities shine brighter than ever before. Its like all those negative attributes would overwhelm our perception of her. They became her identity. We don’t like to say she is a different kid now (even though it feels like it). But we would say, that the girl she has always been is no longer hidden beneath all the imbalances that she had. We feel like a complete family unit now. We all function together beautifully.

What would you say to someone who is on the fence about enrolling their child in the Brain Balance Program?

Do it!!! It is one of the best investments you could ever do for your child. It’s a short term commitment with long term benefits. Since our daughter graduated from Brain Balance we were concerned that she would regress. She has not! In fact, not only has she held on to all the progress she has made, she has continued to grow and improve far beyond what we could have ever imagined prior to Brain Balance.

Is there anything else you’d like to add?

We would just like to stress how important it is to follow the program properly. If you want to get the most out of this program, you need to really commit to it. Follow the diet, do the exercises, limit screen time, be consistent! It will be hard at first, but it DOES get easier, and it is worth it! The diet is just as important as the exercises. The at home exercises are just as important as the in-center sessions. They all work together synergistically. If you commit and follow the program as intended you will definitely see amazing results.

We would also like to share how much we truly value and appreciate the staff at the Visalia Brain Balance Center. Everyone has been so kind, supportive and encouraging. The coaches made our daughter feel so welcome and comfortable and made it such an enjoyable experience for her. And the directors were so welcoming, knowledgeable, organized and always took the time to listen. We will truly miss our weekly visits there.