Brain Balance

I had lofty goals of writing a detailed post about our Brain Balance journey.   However, I thought better to get a short post in rather than no post at all.  I also want to make sure I'm documenting this journey so we can look back and see how far he's come.

In June, Marc and I first heard about Brain Balance.  Brain Balance is a center/program that helps kids with a functional disconnect in their brain,  We had Joe evaluated in July, and he started the program at the beginning of September. The results of his evaluation revealed to us many barriers that were getting in the way of him processing the world around him, which explains his meltdowns, and low energy.  Marc and I decided that we wanted to tackle and get to the root of his sensory issues, rather than just adjust his environment.

  Brain Balance uses an integrated approach - focusing on nutrition, academics and sensory motor. We were skeptical because there aren't a lot of studies on this program, but we decided to proceed because the program produces results.  And though we care about studies, we care more about results!  

Joe just completed his first 3 weeks and has already made many improvements.  In fact his coach told us on Saturday, that they need to give us new exercises(we were just getting in the groove with the old ones!), because he's doing such a great job!  Probably the most noticeable and exciting change too me is his energy level.  He has way more energy than before we started this program.  We've also seen him become more independent, especially in the area of getting dressed.

I'm not gonna lie, it's been pretty stressful for us as a family - between the diet changes, finding time(and motivating Joe) to do exercises and did I mention the diet changes!   However, it is totally worth it to see Joe making such huge improvements in his development.  I feel like I'm seeing his neural pathways being created before my very eyes!!  I'm thankful to have discovered this program and that it is only 20 minutes from our house.  There is one family I see in the waiting room once a week, and they drive 2 hours ONE WAY, three times a week!  

Some of the most notable things about Joe's Brain Balance journey so far are:

*Much improved ability on focusing on activities like puzzles.
*WAY fewer meltdowns
*Decreased need to be around me all the time
*Increased energy level
*Increased ability in following multi-step directions
*Increased physical and core strength

I'm excited for the rest of his journey, and will try to document it often.

September 5th storm

I meant to include this in my blog post last night, but forgot. It was a little late when I posted. Here are some pics from the storm.

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 Also a funny and precious story from yesterday...

After the tree fell and a light exploded in the house, I called Marc to let him know what was going on.  During that phone call Lydia started getting crying and getting VERY upset. She was crying and yelling, "It's my fault!"  I told her of course it wasn't.  She said(through tears),"yes it is, I prayed for a storm, I wanted to see a rainbow!"  

First week of school and Brain Balance

It was a crazy week at our house, like usual! But in all seriousness, it really was a bit crazier than usual. It was our first week of school.  Also, Joe started at Brain Balance.  AND Lydia had her first day of co-op. And we celebrated Marc's birthday!  Lots of exciting things!

And then today we had crazy storm and a giant part of a tree fell down in our backyard.  

Though we've been doing lessons for a couple of weeks,we had our official first day on Tuesday.  Lydia woke feeling terrible so the day didn't go quite as planned.  

Our first attempt at FDOS pic:

But by the afternoon, she was a new kid so we did our lessons then!  That is one of the many beautiful things about homeschooling!  (it's not all glorious, trust me, ha!)

Take 2:

Joe also started Brain Balance Tuesday, which I'll have to create a different entry on.  He loves going so far, and we're loving seeing the improvements and huge strides he's been making since we've implemented diet changes and have been doing specific exercises with him.   This kid has got a lot to say!   

Thursday was the first day of co-op. 

I really really try to get nice pics but this is the best I could do!  

Lydia said her favorite class was gym (specifically playing 'Garbage Ball').  She also loved Art and Music and was even drawing all day today using some of the new drawing techniques she learned (see swirled ice cream cone and interesting heart design).  

She also made some new friends at co-op!

It was a great week!