Brain Balance: One Mom's Negative Critique 11/12/2011
Someone from my private Tourettes group was kind enough to email me a link from a well known blogger who has some pretty unpleasant things to say about Brain Balance. She seems very very convinced that it is nothing but "pseudo science" and the owners are full of crap, off to make a mint from parents like me who are "desperate" for a cure. I see her point. But I don't 100% buy it. I don't feel fearful. I love my son. I think he could use some therapy for focus. A diminishment of tics would be awesome also. I've seen how all the things Brain Balance proposes works since I've utilized much of it over the past five years, namely diet and supplements. What I have not done was any sort of "brain rewiring" that you get with specific exercises at the clinic. To me, if we can rewire a muscle in our legs through training at a gym, why can't we rewire an understimulated portion of the brain? To me this makes so much sense. But speaking of "cents", yes, it's a lot of money. It's something I have to be very very careful about as, well, I don't have that kind of cash laying around. I also don't have the kind of anti-alternative sentiments the above blogger has laying around, either. To me, this program seems like a really great option and one worth considering. I'll know more when we get the results back from Stink's 2 hour motor skill and 2 hour academic intake. The director says that these exercises targeted 1200 areas of Stink's brain. I also spoke to a neurologist - one who happens to own the franchise. To the blogger above's point, the neurologist's opinion was clearly swayed because that was his business. But then again, if you talk to an owner of an icecream store, they're going to tell you how fabulous sweets are because they have seen the results of very happy families in and out their doors. I'm willing to give any business owner the benefit of the doubt that they are not just after my wallet but they are doing something they are inspired to do because it works. Back to the cognitive and motor report: From the outcome of these in depth tests, we'll be able to see where he's most lacking, as often the academic reports match up to the motor skills portion. (For the record, they used the same Brown and DSM scales that a psychologist would use to determine ADD, ADHD, Aspergers, etc. I did not feel they were a sham in the least, but instead, very comprehensive.) The assessment cost me $245. That wasn't cheap either! But at least after this report, I'll have a good sense of what is going on in Stink's brain and I can decide if I want to continue with the program, head back to UCLA for drugs, or continue as needed. In closing, I am not a sales person for Brain Balance. I am not a fearful idiot who will do anything to change my child. I am a mother who will do what is best for her child whether or not some snarky blogger thinks an organization is a sham. People think Christianity is stupid, also, and so far, I'm more peaceful than I've been in my entire life. I think I can live with a differing opinion from someone. I'll keep you posted. CommentsJoy 11/13/2011 05:56
Wholeheartedly agree with you, Andrea. If there's a non-invasive, non-drug treatment out there, why not give it at least one chance? I'd read a few negative comments about brain balance a while ago, but i've also read a lot more negative comments about the benefits of chiropractic care- to the point that i don't even tell my pediatrician that i go to one every two weeks- but he's amazed that my son's asthma (that used to land him in the hospital twice a year) is gone- and was gone by age 4, 6 months after he started chiropractic. As long as it does no harm, why not see if it does some good. Danielle 11/14/2011 17:49
My seven year old sons natural path told me when I walked in there over a year ago that my son did not have touretts he is just experincing an allergic reation to something hes eating or enviromental. So after months of being on a very strick diet and some acupunture treatments my son is almost tic free. (the acupunture is to get the body to be able to accept foods again so he won't always have to be on the strick diet) Its a long story so email me if you want more info. And thanks for you honesty in your blogs I have been reading for over a year and it make me feel normal that I'm not the only mom out there struggling with these feelings. 11/14/2011 21:05
@Joy - Thanks a bunch. I always appreciate hearing from you. Robin 11/15/2011 21:25
This is all so new to me and "brain balance" is not something I have heard of yet. We are still waiting for our 1st neurologist appointment and it is not until February and we made it in August. 11/17/2011 11:25
@Robin - Stinkyblinky - sounds about right! Your path sounds similar to mine. Leave a Reply | TICKED OFF: TOURETTES TALK 
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