Disconnected Kids

There is no other program like it in existence anywhere in the world.

Understanding FDS. Functional Disconnection Syndrome (FDS) is the underlying cause of various childhood neurological disorders, including ADHD, autism, and dyslexia. It occurs when the two hemispheres of the brain are not electrically balanced or synchronized, leading to communication problems between them. This imbalance manifests in different symptoms depending on which side of the brain is affected:

• Right brain deficiency: Often associated with ADHD, autism, and social difficulties

• Left brain deficiency: Typically linked to learning disabilities and dyslexia

Rising prevalence. The incidence of these disorders has increased dramatically in recent years:

• Autism: Now affects 1 in 68 children, up from 1 in 150 in 2007

• ADHD: 10 times more common today than a generation ago

• Learning disabilities: Affect 15-20% of the school population

The brain is the only organ not fully formed at birth.

Brain development stages. The brain develops in a specific sequence, with growth alternating between the right and left hemispheres:

1. Prenatal to age 2: Right brain focus

2. Around age 3: Left brain emphasis

3. Ongoing: Alternating focus between hemispheres

Importance of milestones. Developmental milestones are crucial indicators of proper brain growth. Skipping or delaying milestones can signal potential problems:

• Crawling before walking is essential for proper nervous system development

• Primitive reflexes should be present at birth and inhibited by 4-6 months

• Postural reflexes emerge as primitive reflexes fade

Early identification of delays allows for timely intervention, potentially preventing or mitigating future challenges.

Stimulation without fuel, or fuel without stimulation, does not work.

Targeted exercises. The Brain Balance Program uses hemisphere-specific exercises to stimulate the weaker side of the brain without affecting the stronger side. These exercises fall into three main categories:

1. Sensory exercises: Vision, hearing, smell, taste, touch

2. Motor exercises: Balance, coordination, strength

3. Academic exercises: Reading, math, comprehension

Exercise principles:

• Frequency is more important than intensity

• Movements should be slow and purposeful

• Combine physical activity with mental exercises when possible

• Perform exercises 3-4 times per week, ideally after school and before dinner

As the brain becomes more balanced, behaviors and academic performance naturally improve.

The unevenness of skills that is the hallmark of a child with Functional Disconnection Syndrome is most obvious when it comes to learning, homework, and grades.

Comprehensive evaluation. Neuroacademic assessments help identify specific areas of weakness in a child's learning abilities. These assessments cover various subjects and skills, including:

• Word reading and comprehension

• Math operations and reasoning

• Written expression

• Listening comprehension

• Oral expression

Tailored interventions. Once weaknesses are identified, targeted exercises and strategies can be implemented to address them:

• Left brain skills: Phonics, word recognition, basic math operations

• Right brain skills: Reading comprehension, math reasoning, creative writing

By focusing on the specific areas of deficit, children can make significant academic gains, often advancing multiple grade levels in a short period.

Poor nutrition is a big threat to the development of a healthy brain because children do not eat properly.

Dietary challenges. Children with FDS often have:

• Compromised digestive systems

• Reduced ability to absorb nutrients

• Food sensitivities, particularly to gluten and casein

Elimination diet. To identify food sensitivities:

1. Keep a food diary for 7-10 days

2. Eliminate common trigger foods for 4 weeks

3. Reintroduce foods one at a time, observing reactions

Supplement program. Key nutrients for brain health include:

• Vitamins: A, B-complex, C, D, E

• Minerals: Calcium, magnesium, zinc, selenium

• Fatty acids: Omega-3, omega-6, omega-9

Proper nutrition and supplementation support brain development and enhance the effectiveness of other Brain Balance interventions.

Behavior and emotions are bound together like cement.

Understanding brain-behavior connections. Different hemispheric imbalances require different behavioral approaches:

• Left brain deficiency:

  • Tend to be shy, insecure, and fearful

  • Respond best to positive reinforcement

  • Use "if you do, you'll get" approach

• Right brain deficiency:

  • Often hyperactive, oppositional, and impulsive

  • Respond better to negative reinforcement

  • Use "if you don't do, you won't get" approach

Key strategies:

1. Be consistent in applying consequences

2. Catch children being good and reinforce positive behaviors

3. Provide structure and clear boundaries

4. Use immediate reinforcement for right brain deficient children

Remember that as brain balance improves, behavioral issues will naturally decrease.

We have seen through brain imaging scans that, when given the proper stimulation, the weak side of the brain will actually get larger and faster.

Brain plasticity basics. Neuroplasticity is the brain's ability to change and adapt in response to stimulation and experiences. This means that:

• Brain imbalances are not permanent

• Targeted interventions can create new neural connections

• Improvements can be long-lasting with proper stimulation

Success stories. Many children who have gone through the Brain Balance Program have experienced significant improvements:

• Advancement of 3-11 grade levels in academic subjects

• Resolution of behavioral issues

• Elimination of original diagnoses (e.g., ADHD, autism)

Long-term outlook. With continued support and maintenance:

• Children can maintain their gains

• Some may no longer require special education services

• Improved quality of life for both children and families

The Brain Balance approach offers hope for children with FDS, demonstrating that these conditions are not lifelong sentences but opportunities for growth and transformation.