Brain Balance expands
Brain Balance Achievement Center of Farragut, which provides a non-medical approach to helping students overcome learning and development challenges, has branched out its services to serve college students.
The center, located in Kroger Marketplace at 157 Brooklawn St., started the new service June 1, said Angel Ogden, franchise owner with her husband, Jeff Ogden.
“All of the centers started taking (students) 18 to 24 (years old), she said. “We used to (only) take up to 17 year olds.
“It was kind of our trial,” Angel added. “We were what we called a summer re-boot, but so far it’s gone so well (the whole franchise) now extended it to where we do it anytime of the year.
“I don’t know that every center is doing it. It’s just an option we now have, so we have decided to do that.
She explained the regular program for children up to 17 years is three days a week, but the college students can come in up to five days a week.
“We do have two sign-ups for this summer program,” Angel said. “It’s eight to 10 weeks. (College students) have access to the program, so it’s more intense.”
“We try to schedule them different times during the day,” she added.
The Ogdens opened the center in May 2017 after a quest to help their daughter led them to Brain Balance, which addresses processing disorders, ADHD, behavioral and social issues in children.
It is a comprehensive non-medical 12-week program combining physical and sensory motor exercises with cognitive skill training and healthy nutrition to place both hemispheres of the brain back in sync and allow children to reach their full potential, Jeff said in a previous interview.
“We’re looking at filling in any developmental gaps, anywhere they may be developmentally delayed,” Angel said. “We use all natural ways to do that — from special exercises and sensory integration.”
Angel said the first year was a learning curve but in the second year, the business leveled out.
“I think we’ve now seen over 88 kids,” Angel said.
“With the college (level), it’s very similar but more focused on executive functioning, more focused on attention and skills they’re going to need for college.” she added. “The concept’s basically the same.
“We’re still going in and doing special exercises and stimulation to fill in those gaps, but obviously at a higher level for them.”
The Brain Balance corporate office 'has expanded the levels we’re using for this group of kids,” Angel said. “Because we block off certain groups hours, we can usually have four to six (students) in a time slot,” noting they have a smaller amount of time to finish.
“Our other (regular) program is a minimum of 12 weeks,” she added. “(The college program) is different in other areas, too. Our other program involves nutrition and a lot of home exercises — the college portion, we’re not.”
“We’re trying advise them. They get e-mails with good daily habits to incorporate, but they don’t have full access to our licensed dietitian and other (features) our other program does.”
Hours are from 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays. It is closed Saturdays and Sundays.
For more information or to schedule a session, call 865-675-5100.
