Brain Balance Center of San Antonio: Your Questions Answered {Sponsored}

learning disability awareness month.jpgAs part of our partnership with Brain Balance Center of North San Antonio, we are bringing ACMB readers a series of posts throughout the month of March that focus on Learning Disabilities including information, treatments, and success stories.  This week, we will be focusing on explaining the Brain Balance Center and what happens there to help children that have either been diagnosed or exhibiting symptoms of a Learning Disorder.[hr]

Who operates the Brain Balance Center of North San Antonio?

The main ideas behind Brain Balance Achievement Centers are founded on the work of Dr. Robert Melillo and the Ten Principles of Brain Balance, which focus on the idea that children’s brains are malleable and common disorders can be permanently corrected through a variety of cognitive and physical therapies.  The husband and wife team of Zach and Amanda Petter own and operate the North San Antonio Brain Balance Center.  Both Zach and Amanda are fully involved with the day-to-day happenings of the center and Zach is one of the main therapists.  I was there recently during a therapy session and it was extremely obvious that both Zach and Amanda have relationships with every single one of the children that are part of the Brain Balance program.

Who can benefit from the Brain Balance program?

Brain Balance Centers have an in-depth assessment process that is designed to help children with a variety of disorders, including ADHD, Autism, Developmental Disorders, Processing Disorders, and Learning Disabilities.

Children working on writing activities at the Brain Balance Center in North San Antonio.

What happens after a child enrolls in the program?

Every single child has a specific therapy program, so every child is working on different things.  All of the programs are based on strengthening different parts of the brain. For example, children that are having issues with attention will be focusing on strengthening the right side of the brain.  If a child is struggling with a learning disorder, he or she will be concentrating on activities to strengthen the left side of the brain.

What types of therapies and interventions will a child receive?

The Brain Balance Center concentrates on an integrated and non-medicated approach to helping children.  The three main aspects of a child’s life that are addressed are Sensory-Motor, Academic, and Nutrition (you may remember this post from a few months back that talked about the impact certain foods can have on a child and his or her behavior).  On a recent visit to the center, I was able to see what was happening in the therapy rooms, which look more like a gym or very casual classroom.  I really liked this because it was welcoming to a child and not scary or over-stimulating, like many offices can be to children.  In one group, two children were working on strengthening their balance and core strength through different exercises.  In another group, children were listening and responding to questions, working on their writing.  All of the children had on headbands and I inquired as to why they were wearing these.  Some of the children were wearing them to help keep their headphones on because they were listening to music.  Another child was wearing them simply as a noise filter.  As an early childhood teacher, I thought this was genius and a great idea for children that can be bothered by noises or get annoyed when their headphones fall off.  There were a total of four children in the room and the environment was quiet, organized, and the children were engaged and on task.  They barely even noticed I was there!

Zach Petter works on sensory-motor activities with two children.

How often does therapy happen?

Each child is on an individual plan and most of the children visit the center 2 to 3 times a week for their activities.  Many of the activities that are done at the center are taught to the parents as well, so that their children can do them on their days “off”.

How do I know if Brain Balance is a good fit for my child?

One place to start is by completing the Online Assessment Tool to see if Brain Balance Achievement Center might be a good option for your child.  From there, you’ll want to make an appointment to learn more specifically about how Brain Balance can help your child.

The Wall of Photos: Children are proud to see their photos on the wall.  So many children have been helped in a short amount of time!
Half of the Wall of Photos: Children are proud to see their photos on the wall. So many children have been helped in a short amount of time- Brain Balance has only been open for 8 months!

Questions?  Feel free to contact Brain Balance Center of North San Antonio via phone at (210) 620-7378 or through their online contact tool.

Lindsay
Lindsay is the co-founder of Alamo City Moms Blog. A native New Orleanian, Lindsay found her way to the Alamo City via her husband, Steven, who is a born and raised San Antonian. She is a mom to three young children. Lindsay earned her B.A. in Psychology from Rhodes College and her M.A. in Early Childhood Education from UTSA. She was a preschool and first-grade teacher for 10 years and is now a Reading Specialist and Dyslexia Therapist.

1 COMMENT

  1. Thank you so much for this post! I was not aware of this organization and cannot wait to contact them in the morning.

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