Ten Principles of Brain Balance

Brain Balance Center Danvers MA. Helping kids reach their goals.

The Brain Balance Program™ was designed based upon the following ten unique principles with regard to our approach to helping children with various neurobehavioral and developmental disorders such as Autism, Asperger’s, ADD/ADHD, Learning Disabilities and others:

  1. Brain-Based Approach: We use a brain-based approach which recognizes that AD/HD, Dyslexia, LDs, Autism etc. have similar primary underlying problems, and areas of the brain involved in these disorders require similar intervention strategies.
  2. We Assess Functional Disconnection Syndrome (FDS): All human functions are distributed differently in each side of the brain. Symptoms are caused by under-connectivity and desynchronization between or within one side of the brain, or an exaggeration of function on the alternate side… Simply stated there is an imbalance of function when comparing the two halves of the brain. Brain Balance Centers offer the only program designed to assess, document and objectively quantify FDS through the use of extensive testing in all areas of function.
  3. Hemispheric-Based Program Is The Key: Since an imbalance is the core problem, it is not enough to just generally stimulate the brain. We must stimulate one side more than the other. So a hemispheric-based approach, or activities directed toward a primary goal of achieving a balance between the two sides of the brain, is the key to success. To do this, one must use hemispheric-specific activities that include sensory, motor, academic, behavioral, and biochemical modalities.
  4. Problems Can Be Permanently Correctable: It is now understood that the difficulties associated with AD/HD, LD, Dyslexia and Autism are primarily a result of environmental influences effecting genetic expression and are therefore are often correctable.
  5. Measure and Improve Actual Function: Brain Balance Centers address and correct underlying brain dysfunction. It is recognized that as function improves, through neuroplasticity, symptoms abate. However, if you simply address symptoms, function will never improve. For example when medication is effective in reducing symptoms, these same symptoms return once the medication is discontinued.
  6. Complete Individualized Assessment: A deficiency in any one or a combination of functional areas related to motor (gross or fine, rhythm/timing), sensory (visual, auditory, tactile (touch), vestibular (balance & body position) olfactory (smell)), behavioral, academic, immune (nutritional, biochemical) can produce the symptoms associated with AD/HD, LD or Autism. Each area of function must be measured individually.
  7. All Functional Problems Addressed: If an intervention simply addresses one component of the disorder one cannot expect all of its related difficulties to improve or be corrected.
  8. Same-Time Integration: Not only must all components of a disorder be addressed, it is also necessary that activities utilized for correction of each component be performed together within the same time frame.
  9. Brain/Body Balance: If the brain is out of balance it stands to reason that the body will be out of balance as well. Therefore balance one and the other is effected.
  10. Children Require a Different Approach: Our program is presented in a nurturing and enjoyable fashion while improving brain function through sensory-motor and academic activities, which have been developed specifically for children. This has been proven to be much more effective than extra help in school or behavioral counseling alone.

Want to know more?  Read the newly released book Disconnected Kids, written by Brain Balance founder Robert Melillo!

Brain Balance Center Danvers. Call today 978-705-9570.

Art Academy Summer Program at Montserrat College of Art in Beverly MA

Babson Farm Quarry Self-guided Walking Tour at Halibut Point

Kids will enjoy this tour of the Halibut Point State Park and Quarry with a focus on its stone-cutting history!
Take a self guided tour at one of Massachusetts most beautiful locations!
7:00 am to 6:00 pm

Kidleidoscope at Breakheart Reservation

Kidleidoscope is a program designed for preschoolers at Breakheart Reservation in Saugus Massachusetts
Come join our park interpreter for a story time and nature walk! Complete a small craft and explore the woods! Walks are gently paced and approximately 1 mile, though not accessible for strollers. Appropriate for families with children 3-5 years old. Meet at the Visitor Center.
10:30 am to 11:30 am

Unraveling Winters Wild Tales - Animal Tracking for Families

Kids will learn about tracks and signs and how they can tell a story at Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary in Topsfield Massachusetts!
Welcome to the wild world of animal tracking! Participants will learn how to identify animal tracks by focusing on key details such as number of toes, toenail impressions, and overall size of the print.
3:00 pm to 4:30 pm

Friday, February 6

Winter Family Field Trip: Raptor Road Trip

Families are invited to Joppa Flats Education Center in Newburyport Massachusetts to learn about eagles and their behaviors. Photo: Bill O'Connor
With radios in hand, we will carpool to Bald Eagle viewing spots along the Merrimack River and walk short distances to spot eagles with our binoculars and birding scopes. We will be watch for fishing, and courtship displays. Stay warm and active with small group activities that feature raptor sound...
10:00 am to 12:00 pm

Kidleidoscope at Breakheart Reservation

Kidleidoscope is a program designed for preschoolers at Breakheart Reservation in Saugus Massachusetts
Come join our park interpreter for a story time and nature walk! Complete a small craft and explore the woods! Walks are gently paced and approximately 1 mile, though not accessible for strollers. Appropriate for families with children 3-5 years old. Meet at the Visitor Center.
10:30 am to 11:30 am

Family Owl Prowl

Join a Family Owl Prowl  at the Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary. Photo: Scott Santino
Experience the excitement of an owl prowl as we take a hike under the light of the moon to look and listen for Barred Owls, Great Horned Owls, and Eastern Screech-Owls. Before we head out on our nocturnal adventure, we will learn fun owl facts in our cozy barn using real owl feathers, skulls, and...
5:30 pm to 7:00 pm

Saturday, February 7

Babson Farm Quarry Self-guided Walking Tour at Halibut Point

Kids will enjoy this tour of the Halibut Point State Park and Quarry with a focus on its stone-cutting history!
Take a self guided tour at one of Massachusetts most beautiful locations!
7:00 am to 6:00 pm

Salem's So Sweet Festival

Salem Massachusetts' retailers have some sweet surprises in store during the Salem's So Sweet Weekend Festival
Salem Main Streets and the Salem Chamber of Commerce invite you to come enjoy the annual Salem’s So Sweet Chocolate & Ice Sculpture Festival – a decadent tradition of delectable chocolate, sparkling ice sculptures, and Valentine’s Day shopping! Now in its 24th year, Salem’s So Sweet has become...
9:00 am to 10:00 pm

NSNP Saturday Srolls at Choate Farm

Come to Choate Farm in Danvers Massachusetts to learn some basic Winter Survival Skills with your family!
Do you and your family have what it takes to survive out in the wilderness?
10:00 am to 11:30 am

CraneExplorer: Valentine's Coastal Craft

Make Valentines crafts from materials that we find along the shore at the Trustees of Reservations Crane Estate in Ipswich, Massachusetts
The Trustees of Reservations invites ages 12 and up to a valentine craft making workshop! This Valentine’s Day, give a gift from the sea! From seaweed pressings to shell collages, beach treasures make beautiful greetings and keepsakes. Join this workshop to learn fun craft ideas and make marine art...
10:00 am to 12:30 pm

CraneOutdoors: The Castle Hill Hike

CraneOutdoors: The Castle Hill Hike at the Crane Estate in Ipswich Massachusetts
Come explore the lesser-visited corners of Castle Hill and its surroundings with us this season. This hike is a CraneOutdoors guide favorite because it’s got a little bit of all the things that make the Crane Estate such a special place…
10:00 am to 12:00 pm

Music and Movement at North Shore Children's Museum

North Shore, North Shore Childrens Museum in Peabody MA
Music and Movement with Marybeth Maes is an engaging music and movement class for young children at the North Shore Children's Museum. Marybeth brings her guitar and instruments for the children to use while they sing, dance, and play.
10:00 am to 11:00 am

Children's Maple in the Barnyard at Appleton Farms

Visit Appleton Farms' sugaring operation and learn about making maple sugar syrup!
Maple Season is here! This special program for ages 3-11 & their families will focus on the magic of maple from start to finish. We will discover this tradition by observing trees, tasting sap, learning the tools involved, and finally, tasting the sweet product. We will make sure to have time...
10:45 am to 3:00 pm