Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), is a neurodevelopmental disorder that can affect one’s social interactions and communication, sensory sensitivities, and behavior. After hearing Dr. Margaret Guy’s presentation on “A longitudinal investigation of neural responses associated with face processing in infants at elevated likelihood for autism,” one further can understand the indicators in infants and risks of ASD. While there are many indicators and tests that can help with early detection of autism, there are also many treatments and alternative therapies that claim they address the underlying neurological causes of neurological disorders such as autism.
One known program is Brain Balance, which was founded in 2007 by Robert Melillo and William Fowler. Melillo claims that he is “a world-renowned researcher in child neurological disorders, professor, and chiropractic neurologist,” according to the website. This program, like many others, is drug-free and was “designed to enhance cognitive performance and emotional wellbeing” in all individuals but especially in children with neuro-developmental disorders such as ADHD or ASD. According to Melillo, this program works for all neuro-developmental disorders because “all neuro-developmental disorders are equivalent and are the same problem.” One could argue that statements made by Melillo, are not supported by many others within the scientific community.
With so many credentials across various disciplines as a provider, one can assume that this program, which is personalized to each individual, can be supportive of the research claimed on their website, however, that is not the case. The program's mission statement online states “that the brain can develop new pathways and networks which improves cognitive ability and performance” and overall, can improve function through both structural and functional changes in the brain. Furthermore, also synchronizes both hemispheres of the child's brain, which Melillo believes are imbalanced and unsynchronized, which leads to neurological disorders such as ASD or ADHD. However, there is limited scientific evidence that supports the efficacy of this program and its ability to reduce and or eliminate neurological disorders through the building of new connections in the brain.
While cognitive and neuroscience research has been conducted for decades, scientific evidence surrounding the program seems to be non-existent and lacks concrete data or evidence. Brain Balance has two studies published, however, they are not found on accredited research domains and only one appears to be currently available online with one of the authors being Melillo himself, “The effect of hemisphere specific remediation strategies on the academic performance outcome of children with ADD/ADHD” by Gerry Leisman, MD, PhD and colleges.
As one examines this research article, one quickly realizes that the parents rate their child's ADHD symptom improvements not the “therapists” and there is no control group. On the Brain Balance website, autism research is limited to one article where mental-health improvements were measured in individuals with ASD or ADHD. According to the Wisconsin’s Department of Health Services, in 2015, the department claimed that Brain Balance lacked sufficient evidence in being a proven treatment for those with any neuro-developmental disorder.
With no substantial research, clinical trials, or evidence that the program realistically addresses underlying causes of neurological disorders, this program can be realistically seen as a marketing tactic or scheme. Unlike other programs or therapy sessions, Brain Balance is not covered by insurance and individuals have paid “$12,000 or more for six months of training… oftentimes families have gone into debt or turned to crowdfunding sites to pay for them” as expressed by one family in Oxford, Michigan in an interview with Erin Einhorn from NBC News. It is a large sacrifice to make for many of these families for a program that is not fully supported by the scientific community but for many individuals, all other options have been exhausted or they simply prefer a non-medicinal route.
There is not one answer to diagnosing or treating individuals with various neuro-developmental disorders, but working closely with providers, researchers, and other healthcare and scientific professionals can further help in helping those with disorders and better understanding the disorder as a whole during childhood development and beyond. Alternative therapies can be helpful, so it is important to not fully discredit them but instead, be informed patients and consumers of these programs and understand that not every program is scientifically or medically “certified” or has ample research supporting it.
References:
About us I brain balance achievement centers. Brain Balance Achievement Centers. (n.d.). Retrieved May 3, 2023, from https://www.brainbalancecenters.com/about-us#:~:text=Brain%20Balance%20Achievement%20Centers%20offer,development%2C%20academics%2C%20and%20nutrition.
Benderev, C. (2018, June 18). 'cutting edge' program for children with autism and ADHD rests on razor-thin evidence. NPR. Retrieved May 3, 2023, from https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2018/06/18/616805015/cutting-edge-program-for-children-with-autism-and-adhd-rests-on-razor-thin-evide
Dr. Robert Melillo I brain balance. Brain Balance Achievement Centers. (n.d.). Retrieved May 3, 2023, from https://www.brainbalancecenters.com/dr-robert-melillo
Einhorn, E. (2019, December 20). Parents pay thousands for 'brain training' to help kids with ADHD and autism. But does it work? NBCNews.com. Retrieved May 3, 2023, from https://www.nbcnews.com/news/education/parents-pay-thousands-brain-training-help-kids-adhd-autism-does-n1100681
Leisman, G., Melillo, R., Thum, S., Ransom, M., Orlando, M., Tice, C., & Carrick, F. R. (n.d.). The effect of hemisphere specific remediation strategies on the ... Retrieved May 3, 2023, from http://www.carolinabraincenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/The_effect_of_hemisphere_specific_remediation_strategies_on_the_academic_performance_outcome_of_children_with_ADD_ADHD_.pdf
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