Brain Balance

Ok, this is probably my favorite post to date. I'm so excited about this topic and to share this experience with you!!

I heard about a program called Brain Balance late last year, that addresses behavior, social and academic performance. I  did a little research, then kept it in my back pocket.  Early this year when Paige started really amping things up for us, the Brain Balance program was on my mind more often.  Although Paige was never diagnosed with RAD, she was displaying a lot of signs/symptoms.  In March we took her into Brain Balance, had her assessed, and in April we pulled her out of her Therapeutic Preschool and she began the Brain Balance program.

So, what is Brain Balance?

Brain Balance is a comprehensive program that combines physical and sensory exercises with cognitive skill training and healthy nutrition. Brain Balance's coordinated program approach balances and synchronizes left brain/right brain interaction. The newly strengthened connections trigger advancements in behavior, social and academic performance.

To begin the program an assessment is needed to determine if there is a left or right brain deficiency. In Paige's case her assessment showed that she was right brain deficient. Signs of right brain weakness are:

Awkward/Clumsy
Hyperactive/Anxious
Poor Non-Verbal Skills
Impulsive/Lacks Focus
Lacks Emotional Control
Poor Reading Comprehension
Obsessive/Repetitive Behaviors
Immature Social Behavior
Allergies/Autoimmunity
Lacks Interest in Sports
Misses the Big Picture
Poor Eye Contact
Space Invader

Paige attends her class 1-hour, 3 times a week. There are also exercises at home that are required 3 times a day as well as changes in diet. We have yet to fully implement the change in diet, but it's something we are working on. So we at home are held responsible for her progress as well.

The majority of their students are those who have been adopted.  They see that these kids' situations have played a major role in their brain development so I feel very at home here :)  We were also informed that things will get worse before they get better, which we have witnessed.  And lastly, they mention how a lot of families won't see positive changes until they have left the program.  I feel so grateful, that after only 15 sessions, that we are already starting to see a shift in her.  A couple of small changes we've seen are she still has tantrums, but they do not last as long.  She still gets angry, but its not as intense.  And I look forward to seeing continuing changes in her.

There are two books written by the creator and co-founder of Brain Balance; Disconnected Kids and Reconnected Kids  I've been reading both of these, which has helped me gain a better understanding of how her brain works and how balancing out her weaknesses (not restricted to just her behaviors but other developmental weaknesses) will help her now and in the future.

I wanted to get this information out there for you readers and I will continue to post about this program and Paige's personal progress as we continue with this program.  But if anyone has any questions, wants more details, wants to hear more about our experience thus far, I would LOVE to chat more about it with you!!!  It is so fascinating yet so simple to see how what our kiddos have missed in their developmental stages, and how it relates to their current behaviors and such.  This program simply helps to go in and fill in those gaps.

I think it says a lot when a portion of their employees come from a background of years of working as behavior health specialists yet once they were introduced to this program, they made the switch to work for Brain Balance. I can truly say that as Paige has been receiving behavioral health assistance for over a year now, we've learned and been given tools to help manage and cope with her.  And I am grateful for that.  But I've been more change in her over the past month with brain balance, then over a year of behavior health assistance.  It all starts with the brain!

Questions, comments, anyone else heard of this program, have experience with it, know someone who has been through it??  Let's discuss!! 

My life in snack size bags

My worst nightmare right now is being in the car with the kids.  The radio is broken and the back door handle recently broke amongst a few other minor things. Now both kids have to climb through the same door.  They sit a little too close to each other for my liking.

Let the CHAOS ensue...

SO, where do I spend the majority of my time these days??  THE CAR.  My life just got way more hectic.  Max recently started preschool at the Children's Center and we just started Paige in the Brain Balance program (which I am SUPER excited about and will talk about this program in my next post)

Both kids catch the bus from my parents house which is about a 8 min ride from my house.  The kids go to school at opposite times of each other and Paige attends Brain Balance 3 times a week (which is about a 30-45 min drive depending on traffic).  I now spend my days dropping off, picking up,dance class, doctors visits and squeezing in errands.  We run around ALL. DAY. LONG. Because we spend so much time in the car, the kids seem to be more hungry as well - who wouldn't? We also seem to be in the car during meal times.  I used to be so dead set against food in the car, well,  those days are long gone!  The problem is, my kids get worked up and over stimulated quickly (I think we all have a bit of cabin fever from being in such a confined space together so much).  They become silly, emotional, wound up, etc. and before you know it, food is being thrown, shoes are flying across the seats, drinks are being dumped, kids are yelling at one another, screaming together and so much more.  Once the car stops, they unbuckle themselves and they think the car is a jungle gym.  I can't get out of the car quick enough to stop them before they are in the front seat pushing buttons and helping themselves to everything.

Its become extremely stressful driving and staying focused while constantly feeling like I have to break up a fight, ask them to please stop the potty talk, or whatever may be happening in the backseat. Being in the car so much, I feel like my car needs to be cleaned and vacuumed just about every other day! Perhaps a larger car is in order ....

So, now that I've vented :) I'd love to hear anyones advice or suggestions on how to make the car a more enjoyable space! How do you occupy your kids in the car?  What are some snack ideas that may not cause such big messes? Any other helpful hints, tips or suggestions are WELCOME!

Jekyll and Hyde

Paige has decided lately to really amp things up for us.  She is so sweet, caring, and loving.  Loves to share and do things for others.  And then on a dime, she flips and is explosive.  Her tantrums have increased and have become more violent.  A new thing she does when she gets upset is to dump something, You don't know what will tip her off, it could be the most minor thing.  But if something sets her off and she no longer feels in control, she will find the nearest thing and dump it.  We've had broken chairs, dumped garbage, drinks knocked over, food dumped, lotions/soap emptied, dents in walls.  You name it, we've seen it.  Whatever she can get her hands on, she will attempt to destroy it. When carrying her off to try and calm down, she becomes violent and will hit, scratch, and bite.  Seems the more you try to help her calm down, the more upset she gets.  We've had to clear out just about everything in her room so there is nothing for her to throw.

Our regular therapist at the Children's Center is currently out recovering from some emergency surgery, but we were able to meet with her superior.  As much as we love our therapist and can't wait for her return, it was nice to get a new opinion on things.  We explained what we've been seeing lately and I gave him a little background information. I also explained how Paige came to our home at just 8 days old, straight from the hospital.  We finalized her adoption in January 2011 when she was 14mo. old  In March of that same year we had a 1yr old come to our home that we fostered,  and 4 mo later in July, Max was born. In December 2011, the foster boy left our home.  When he first came to our home, he and Paige did not get along - at all.  By the time he left in Dec, they had really grown close. It tore her apart when he left (which in turn tore me apart to see how this loss affected her.)  She went out to the car with him and buckled herself in saying that she was going to leave with him.  She refused to sit in the kitchen seats they both would sit in, many outburst/mood swings, and tantrums.  She stopped eating and drinking and ended up in the ER with dehydration.  As I recalled this event to the therapist, he was rather quick to say that we need to go back with her and get this loss processed. This event stood out to him and connected things for him quickly.  He says that she is not attached and is pushing us everyday, trying her best to make us angry at her, hoping to get us to that breaking point where we say OK, you win, today is the day we send you packing.  She has questioned in the past when is Max leaving and these days says a lot of  "I hate you, I want you to be mad at me, I don't want you to love me, I wanna be sent away" 

It absolutely breaks my heart to see her carry this. She should only have to worry about having fun!  I love this girl more than words can say and just want to pick her up and squeeze her and make it all go away for her.  But it's also very hard to keep your cool with her when she gets upset and starts her rampage through the house.  I don't claim to be the best at this. There are many days I feel like I fail in this area. 

We have another appt set up with this new therapist to get started on understanding all this and helping her process this loss.  I'm so grateful for therapy and help I'm receiving in learning how to better respond to Paige.

Sleep Study - full results

So it's been a bit since the sleep study and we've gotten the full report.  Max has OSA (Obstructive Sleep Apnea) enlarged adenoids/tonsils.  Dr. says it is on the mild end with 4.6 disturbances every hour. You call that mild?!

He continues to sleep poorly, up and down and very restless every night. Because he can never get to that REM sleep, he is wound up all day, some days can't keep up with him. Then he crashes out late afternoon making it hard for him to calm down in the evening and fall asleep.

We are debating on having the surgery to have the tonsils and adenoids taken out. Sounds like the biggest benefit we could see would be a change in behavior, for the better.  Oh how nice this would be!  :) And the added benefit of all of us sleeping better would be nice.

We are concerned about the risks of the surgery and putting him through such a procedure.  We have a CF Clinic visit coming up in the next couple of weeks so we will talk with his Dr. and get more information to make our decision.

I'm leaning toward the surgery.  Anyone out there been through this with their kids, any advice, thoughts, wanna share your experience??

2014 - That's a Wrap

Another year down, another beginning.  The holidays came and went so quickly.  The days seem to just blur in to one.  Ready for the new year and to get back to normal routines.

Between being sick and Christmas, Paige ended up missing an entire week of school.  That was fun... Every morning she would wake up and ask if it was a school day.  Sadly I would respond with a no. It was a long week filled with agression, mood swings, and tantrums, but we made it!  I've mentioned before that she doesn't do so well when she is out of school.  She thrives in that super structured setting.  And I love that she has that to go to.  I still work to get some of that structure here at home.

Christmas Eve we went to my parents for dinner and presents.  There was a nice size crowd and I wondered how Paige would do.  Sure enough it didn't take long for her to become anxious and overwhelmed by everyone.  She would run off into another room and pout for a bit complaining it was loud and just to much for her.  Then she'd come back out and try it again, only to have to step away again.  I was so proud of her though, she was able to use her words and express to me how the situation was making her feel and that she needed everyone to not talk to her because it was just to much for her.  Her preschool has really helped her feel more confident in being able to stand up and express her feelings and what she needs.  I am so, so grateful for this progress.  We still have a ways to go with her, but even though Christmas Eve was rough, I felt more confident myself, in being able to stay calm and respond to her in a way that made her feel safe and calm so that we could go back out and enjoy the long evening with everyone.

I reflect back on this past year, and it's been a rough one.  I think the toughest year I've had.  I have been pushed and challenged in ways I never thought I would be.  My kids need so much!! But I've been given so many tools along the way and feel that these challenges and experiences have only made me stronger and better able to meet and understand the needs of my kids.  And I have a greater outlook for 2015.  Let's do this!