Notes from February meeting

There were five people in attendance last night.  A couple from downstate that was visiting in the area came to learn more about brain balance, thinking it might help their grandson recently diagnosed with bi-polar disorder. Tarra, new to the area, came to learn more about autism services and needs in this area.  She is a trained autism educator, having worked as an autism consultant and having taught in an autism classroom downstate.  She is very knowledgeable about services available in Michigan and had some good recommendations.

Kristen gave a very engaging talk, sharing her knowledge and experience with the Brain Balance program.  She explained that there are three main components of this program:  diet, vitamins, and exercise.  The program began with an extensive evaluation that includes blood work that determines any vitamin, mineral or other deficiencies.

Her initial contact with Brain Balance took place at their Kingsford franchise (near Iron Mountain).  After it became apparant that her daughter needed more one on one contact, she was referred to the center in Peach Tree, Georgia.  After talking it over with her family, they managed to raise money and move the family to Georgia for a year where both her daughter and son received services.

The diet, she said, is one of the more difficult aspects of the program.  They are dairy and gluten free in their household.  As other allergies were discovered with the tests that were ran by the center, they have also had to eliminate eggs and other items.  The Brain Balance diet puts an emphasis on eating foods that  rate low on the Glycemic Index.  They choose organic foods as much as they can afford and drink a lot of purified water.  The instructors in the program taught her about a problem known as leaky gut that they've identified as being a problem with ASD kids.  Diet is seen as a way to help these kids. 

Exercise is another big part of the picture.  Not only do the kids work with Brain Balance therapists three hours a week at the center on fine motor and gross motor skills, they are assigned exercises to do each day at home.  Kristen has the kids doing jumping jacks, running in place, jumping on mini-trampoline and working with an exercise ball.  The goal for many of the exercises they did was to work on the primitive reflexes.

Kristen spoke frankly about the program, acknowledging that many mainstream practitioners do not support it and that it is costly and not covered by insurance.  However, she had been frustrated by her experience with conventional methods, such as the medications doctors had prescribed for her daughter, and she saw results with course of action they followed with the Brain Balance program that made the personal sacrifices involved worth it for her.

After Kristen's talk, I made announcements, wanting remind everyone that Barb Nelson, Autism Consultant for MARESA, will be our guest at the March 2 meeting (7 pm, Lions Room).  Also coming up are the SAIL chocolate fundraiser event at the Marquette Mall next Saturday from 1-4 pm, The showing of Temple Grandin at the Peter White Public Library on April 11, and the talk by Dr. Foster Cline at Upfront in May.

I had also meant to mention that Dr. Hill called me last week to let me know that Dr. Ralph Olson (PhD. in psychology) has opened a private practice and is taking clients.  He has experience working with Pathways and is skilled in Applied Behavior Analysis.  I've added his name to the resources page. 

Tarra, who has been working UPAN (Upper Peninsula Autism Network), mentioned that Project ImPACT (Improving Parents as Communication Teachers) will be holding a workshop at Lake Superior State on August 25 (or 26?).  This program comes from Michigan State University and as the name implies, is aimed at helping parents help their kids.  Stay tuned for more information.