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New Published Study Found Significant Improvement in the Academic Performance of Children with ADD/ADHD
By OPEN MINDS WEEKLY WIRE, Intellectual & Developmental Disability Services, www.openminds.com

A recent study found that the Brain Balance Program significantly improved the participant's educational outcomes. The study, "The Effect of Hemispheric Specific Remediation Strategies on the Academic Performance Outcome of Children with ADD/ADHD," was conducted by Gerry Leisman, M.D.; Robert Melillo, D.C., MSc.; [et. al.]. It has been accepted for publication by the International Journal of Adolescent Medicine and Health in 2010.

The study included 122 children ages six to twelve years in Nassau and Suffolk Counties New York. All were diagnosed with ADD or ADHD; 94 were male and 28 were female; and all were of average intelligence. Before starting the study, each participant completed Wechsler Individual Achievement Tests (WIAT). Sixty participants were assessed using the Brown Attention Deficit Disorder Scale before starting the intervention.

The intervention was the basic Brain Balance Program-a 12-week multi-modal program delivered through 60-minute sessions three times per week. The sessions included sensory stimulation, motor training, aerobic strength and conditioning, and academic training. A key activity included auditory feedback through synchronized metronome treatment to improve the participants' ability to match physical motion to the beat. Activities also included primitive reflex inhibition exercises and academic home training. Results were evaluated by comparing pre-and post-intervention WIAT scores, and reassessment on the Brown Scale. Of the 60 who had been assessed with the Brown Scale, 81% of their parents said the children no longer demonstrated ADD/ADHD behaviors.

The WIAT subtests revealed improvements, sometimes as much as two grade levels in reading, comprehension, written and oral expression, and mathematic reasoning.

• -n Word Reading-38 took the pre-test; the median score was 3.34; after the intervention, their median score was 5.31, an improvement of 84%.
  
• In Mathematical Reasoning-122 children took the pre-test; the median score was 3.2. After the intervention, their median score was 5.6, an improvement of 81%.
  
• In Spelling-119 took the pre-test; the median score was 3.2; after the intervention, their median score was 5.6, an improvement of 57%.
• In Written Expression-119 took the pre-test; the median score was 2.8; after the intervention, their median score was 5.8, an improvement of 76%.
  
• In Listening Comprehension-121 took the pre-test; the median score was 3.2; after the intervention, their median score was 6.1, an improvement of 82%.
  
• In Oral-117 took the pre-test; the median score was 2.7; after the intervention, their median score was 6.1, an improvement of 71%.
  

Brain Balance Achie-vement Centers now has 29 locations in 18 states. The centers provide the Brain Balance Program-a non-medical after-school supplemental learning program for children ages three through eighteen who exhibit symptoms of neurobehavioral disorders such as autism, attention deficit disorder (ADD), attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), or dyslexia. The 12-week program integrates physical and cognitive activities with dietary change to improve children's functioning and to reduce or eliminate negative behaviors by correcting underlying imbalances in the connections within the brain hemispheres.

Because the program is designed to be an after-school or supplemental learning session, the program tuition is not covered by insurance. The enrollment process starts when parents bring their child for a comprehensive assessment that evaluates the child's motor, sensory, behavioral, academic, nutrition, and immune functioning. The assessment measures more than 1,000 functions. The results are used to determine the severity and type of hemispheric imbalance and if the Brain Balance Program is appropriate for the child. The Brain Balance Achievement Center staff design an individualized program to correct the child's hemispheric imbalance. The program team includes a sensory-motor coach, a neuroacademic teacher, and a nutrition coach. Students are assessed each day and their programs modified as needed. The program team members also instruct parents on how to provide support at home. At the end of the 12-week program, the student is reassessed and the results compared to the first assessment.

For more information
(805)371-8085
Westlake@BrainBalanceCenters.com. Brain Balance Achievement Center of Westlake Village is located at 650 Hampshire Road, Suite 102, WLV, CA 91361.

Clever and Inexpensive Ways to Keep the Kids Busy Over Summer Vacation
By David Beart

Kids everywhere are headed home to rest, relax and annoy the stew out of their parents. The current economic conditions have many families opting to stay home this summer rather than visit pricey resorts and finding ways to avoid the "I'm bored" chorus is critical to parental sanity. The good news is that this nosedive in available funding and excess time together can actually bring families back to their roots and have you and your children enjoying some of the simple pleasures in life.

The first advice is of course, to come up with some summer time rules. Give them a few extra chores around the house so that you don't end up becoming a 24-hour maid. This is a good time to start teaching young children to make their own beds in the morning and learn how to fill up a bowl of cereal or heat up a pop-tart when they are hungry. Your introduction to real life chores like laundry sorting will help you out and transition your kids to independent and self-reliant creatures.

Step two is to come up with a very brief and comprehensive plan of things that you can do on a budget. Allow each child in your home to fill out some scrap pieces of paper with ideas of activities they want to do. Your youngest may write spend a day at the jump-house while your older kids may favor a day at a local water park. Decide that each week - you will do one activity, saving the most costly ones for a special time. Perhaps rather than paying kids an allowance for their extra chores, you can plan an end of summer bash at a local water park.

Encourage your kids to think of local things to do. So many parents are caught up in vacations that require extensive travel when a host of activities exist right outside your back door. Check out the state parks, many of which offer swimming holes and hiking trails and plan day trips that will acquaint your child with their home state. Also, look for some inexpensive camps that may be offered by the schools which can keep your kids interested or peak an interest in sports, arts or crafts.

Another great way to enjoy the summer is to look for any of the millions of outdoor concerts that are often held. Whether you live in a big city or not, chances are that some nearby city or town is hosting festivals and concerts that are free to the public. Treating your kids to snow cones and funnel cakes while you are there can be inexpensive. Plus, it may foster a love in music and have a family atmosphere that can truly bring you and your kids together.

Since swimming is always a great summer activity, look for swimming holes in your area. You might be surprised to find the immense amount of beaches or local pools (where you can join for nominal summer fees). This will keep your kids cool, allow you time to relax as well as provide plenty of exercise and time for socializing. Local libraries also have lots of summer reading activities that include entertainment for children of all ages.

Talk to your children's friends and their parents to plan sleepovers in the backyard. If you are close with them, take turns organizing day trips together for the kids so that the kids will form bonding friendships and you will have some distracting conversation besides that of your children to engage in. If you live in a neighborhood, even planning neighborhood activities like yard sales, bizarres or old fashion street fairs can be a great way to get the garage cleaned out and keep the kids busy over the summer time.

Other cost friendly ideas that will help you to enjoy your summer without busting your budget is to take weekend camping trips. Visit family that lives out of town and explore their hometown for a change of pace. Or, take on a home improvement project around the house that the kids can take part in. Summer is the perfect time to redecorate your tweens room, add a porch to your home, or build a playground of your own. Not to mention, turn your bedroom into retreat for you and your spouse to enjoy.

You don't have to spend money to make family memories. Often by thinking of simple activities, you will actually be able to enjoy summer vacation with your children without feeling burdened to have the time of your life. Getting back to the basics and simplifying things may be just the way to reconnect with the kids and make this the most memorable summer ever.

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