I initially was trained to do brain retraining with the use of muscle testing. I, too, found it to be confusing for both the student and myself. I also felt it was somewhat invasive, especially for teens. I do believe in muscle testing and I believe that it works.

Humans by nature are visual creatures. As a matter of fact, 75 to 90% of all that we learn comes to us through visual pathways.

Knowing this, it’s important to identify children who may have weakened visual processing skills and give them a method to overcome these weaknesses. First, understand that 20/20 vision has very little to do with this. Second, you should have a general understanding of the anatomy of the eye. And finally, you will need some basic exercises to help the student overcome any of these problems.

Brain Retraining is done through a series of physical exercises that selectively access a certain part of the brain by having the eyes look in a specified direction. The direction is related to a sensory stimulation point. Most of these exercises will cross the vertical midline of the body, which helps to integrate the left and right hemispheres of the brain.

I was introducing some information on retraining the brain, and I think it is beneficial to know a little bit of information about the brain.

Retraining the brain transforms lives. The children I have used these techniques with have improved significantly, not only academically, but socially, emotionally, and behaviorally as well. When the brain becomes balanced and wired correctly then kids can learn and succeed as nature intended.

I have used this program with an autistic girl. She could speak but didn't communicate. She repeated the same phrase over and over again. She also had to line up everything and wipe things off before moving on to another activity. At 9 years of age she couldn't read or write, although she did know her alphabet sounds. She had rage issues as well. I had to be very physical with her at first and take her by the hand to perform the exercises. Fortunately she trusted me and would allow it. It has been a year and a half and she is communicating with peers and adults. She reads at a 2nd grade level and is approaching 3rd grade. Her rages have subsided, although she still is having some fear issues. She can write, although not yet at grade level. Her math skills are not at grade level yet, either. However, even if she makes no more progress than this, then she will be able to function in society.

This is a common question, believe it or not. Many kids are verbal, bright, and almost seem "gifted". Yet, when they go to school they are judged to be below grade level or their grades don't reflect their intelligence. Parents get so frustrated and urge their children to try harder when, in fact, the children are doing their best.

So, does this boy have a learning problem or disability? Most likely he does, but without testing him it is hard to be sure. But, keep in mind that these are symptoms of his visual processing system being in distress. The written work is the key here. Most of the school day is spent writing and copying. If the visual processing system is not working correctly, then the student is unable to perform as well as he should.

I am often asked by frustrated parents how they can go about helping their child succeed in school. After all, every parent wants just that. And, it seems like if your child isn't doing well in school that the world is spinning out of control in more ways than one.

So, what do I tell them to do? The first thing is to relax and take a deep breath. Now, let's go to the core of the problem.

The first thing you have to do is find the reason for the poor academic performance. Telling your child to try harder usually doesn't get the job done. Think about it. Don't you think they want to do well in school, too? So, find out where the problem lies.