By Robin Gedman
Opening in early September, a new center will provide Kansas City families whose children are struggling with Neurobehavioral Developmental Disorders a new option for learning.
Brain Balance Achievement Center is making a home in Overland Park after much success with their other locations around the country. The center’s mission is to make the Brain Balance Program available to as many children as possible, so that each child may reach his or her greatest physical, mental, social, and academic potential.
Dr. Robert Melillo, the developing founder of the Brain Balance Achievement Center, has spent years researching, diagnosing, and treating Neurobehavioral Developmental Disorders, including autism, AD/HD, Asperger’s, Tourette’s Syndrome, processing disorders, dyslexia, and learning disabilities.
His research has led to the theory behind the Brain Balance Centers TM program. It is Dr. Melillo’s belief that in people suffering from these issues, the brain’s two hemispheres cannot communicate equally due to some type of a disconnect. It is this imbalance of the brain’s function that is often responsible for a great deal of the physical, cognitive or mental, and behavioral challenges related to the disorders.
Beginning as early as age four, Brain Balance CentersTM conduct a comprehensive assessment of a child’s behavior, motor skills, sensory processing abilities, cognitive skills, and academic skills, as well as of their biochemistry. The extensive evaluation leads to a determination of which brain hemisphere is the stronger one in the child. Based on that information, a tailored academic program is developed to strengthen the other side of the brain. The specialized curriculum is designed to improve upon that breakdown in brain communication, ultimately helping a child reach his/her highest academic potential.
Every teacher at the center is Special Education certified and trained to teach in the specific ways that the center believes directly work to improve a child’s underlying academic weaknesses. The teachers are dedicated in their work with the children and in their drive to help reduce the symptomology of each child’s learning disabilities.
A typical program for children aged up to 17 is a 12-week course. This schedule includes three 1-hour meetings per week. Some children’s needs might be for broad academic assistance while others might benefit from just having an “extra boost.” Depending on each child’s specific situation, the length of the program and requirements might vary. Upon completion of the work at the center, a child is given an at-home program to follow.
John Quattlebaum, Executive Director for the new Overland Park location at 6406 College Blvd, got involved in the Brain Balance CentersTM when he saw the unbelievable advancements a friend’s son had after he completed the program. The young boy came back with the ability to hold conversations and recognize others’ feelings in addition to many other things that he was unable to do before.
“I really saw the tremendous impact it had on him, ” Quattelbaum says.
A look through the Web site and you will find many other such amazing stories as well as high praises and letters from families whose children made tremendous strides after their time at the Brain Balance Achievement Center. According to Quattlebaum, research has shown that this approach can give children a two-grade level improvement after completion of the program.
Many families travel from all over the country to take advantage of this hands-on individualized program, often having to break the family up and needing to find housing and other amenities for a 12-week or longer period in a city other than their own hometown. But Kansas Citians are very fortunate to have this resource in their own backyard.
If you want more information about the Brain Balance Achievement Center of Overland Park, visit their Web site at www.bbcenters.org or send an e-mail to overlandpark@brainbalancecenters.com
