We noticed our son exhibited signs of ADHD since kindergarten.
We tried very hard to manage the symptoms without seeking treatment. During the second half of first grade, we noticed that school was suddenly hard. He didn’t like school and was having social issues in the classroom and playground. As a special educator for the past 14 years, I knew getting the official ADHD diagnosis would be the kiss of death for my son, as most teachers are of the mindset, “put the kid on medicine and he’ll be ok.” I know the truth, that medicine only masks the symptoms and doesn’t treat the cause. When we decided to pursue a diagnosis with a pediatrician, we were not going to just sit there and let our child struggle with symptoms. I had previously read Disconnected Kids but did not have a center or any way to utilize the information. Then, Brain Balance of Bluffton opened up down the street.
We had to devote a lot of time to the program, which was difficult at first, but well worth it in the end. We are thrilled at the changes we have seen in his abilities. Prior to Brain Balance, Stephen would whine and only want to watch TV when he got home from school. Now, he would rather play with toys, rough house, climb trees, etc. It is wonderful to see him be able to access all parts of life that many ADHD kids miss out on due to their condition. Academically, he went from G’s and N’s on his report card to all E’s and one G. We are looking forward to what second grade brings with his newfound skills, especially in reading. We received Stephen’s assessment information and despite all of the progress, he still has room to grow and improve more. We anticipate continuing to work with Brain Balance until our son no longer needs any assistance.
After seeing children with ADHD struggle in the classroom setting and then watching my son transform, I would love to see every child with this diagnosis have access to this program. Any parent who wants to treat the cause owes this opportunity to their child and family. It is amazing to see how this program has made such a difference in our family.
