When
Anita Wixon enrolled her stepson, Ben, in the Pheno Brain Training program,
each one had a different experience. As a parent of a child who is struggling
in school, you look for tools, treatments, tutoring or anything that will help
your child reach their potential. As a student, you want to master the skills
that are holding you back from keeping up with your peers. You want to be good
at math, or reading, or science or whatever you are struggling in. Anita and
Ben were kind enough to share their experience so other parents and kids can
see what brain training is all about and reap the benefits they have seen. Read
their story, from their perspectives, to get an idea of what the program is, how
it works, and how your child can benefit.
Why We Love Pheno Brain Training
ANITA
- We struggled for several years before we found Pheno Brain Training. When Ben
was in the fourth grade, he was being tutored in math three times a week for an
hour each session. Plus, we were doing 1-3 hours of homework a night to finish
what he couldn’t finish in school. It was horrible. Although we made sure to
carve out important “down time” for him, it rarely amounted to more than a
couple of hours because his homework took so long. Ben had a friend who had
been in the brain training program at Pheno and that’s how we found out about
it. Ben is like a different child now. He’s confident. He solves his own
problems. He isn’t forgetful, and he’s actually funnier, too!
BEN
- It doesn’t really seem like you are learning stuff while you’re doing the
physical exercises George had me do, but it makes your brain work differently.
I was surprised to do juggling and jumping rope. It took me a month to master
jumping rope, but it definitely didn’t feel like learning. The ball tracking
was my favorite exercise. It was relaxing. Now, after school is not packed
anymore because I get most of my work done in school. I play games and friends
come over right after school so we can play or study together for tests. I feel
like I’m more in control of my life.
Getting Off an IEP (Individualized Education Program)
ANITA
- We ran into problems with the IEP instructors. Every year, Ben would get a
new instructor and we had to retrain them to get to know him and his specific
issues and where he needed help in school. I know they were doing their best,
but it was frustrating. Plus, Ben was out of his regular classroom setting for
several hours a day, missing critical instruction in order for him to stay up
to speed with the curricula. It seemed he was falling even further behind at
times.
BEN
- When I was assessed last year, I was reading at a third grade reading level.
I needed to read 85 words per minute to get off of my IEP. When I was done with
Pheno less than a year later, I read at 165 while the book is turned in a
circle!
Problem Solving Skills
ANITA
- Being able to read and retain knowledge and be able to access it
again was the biggest thing. George and Pheno taught Ben how to manage his
internal filing system. Before, he would take in information, but it would get
stored in different places in his brain, so later when he tried to recall the
information, he couldn’t access it. Now, he actually hears the teacher, learns
the information, and accesses it on demand. Can you imagine how great that must
feel for him?!
BEN
- I used to get frustrated before and just give up. Now I step back, assess the
situation and figure it out.
Confidence Building
ANITA
- I have seen the milestones and I’ve cried. To see the confidence...it blows
me away. He has learned to be his own advocate. He knows now that he can ask
his teachers questions if he doesn’t understand something. He would never do
that before. He just assumed he would never understand it, so why ask.
BEN
- I have more friends. I remember other kids names now. It’s just easier.
Physical Improvement
ANITA
- His overall awareness of and confidence in his physical body has
increased dramatically. In baseball, Ben’s hitting and throwing both improved
tremendously.
BEN
- I used to be afraid of hills on my bike - up or down. Now it just doesn’t
bother me. It helped me with my gaming skills too. Better tracking helps with
fast focusing, faster reflexes, and memory.
The Training
ANITA
- The life skills that George goes through with the trainer and the student
gives us a language to talk about things within our family. We appreciate the
way George worked with both of us. He trains the trainer and then we can take
that information and train our kids and family members.
BEN
- At school, a boy in my class used to like to turn the lights out in the
bathroom and then wait by the door when I left to jump out and scare me. Before
Pheno, I was really afraid and hated it when he did this. The last time it
happened, I just took out my phone, hit the flashlight app, and shined it in
his face when I walked by and I said, “I see you”. He hasn’t done it
since.
Improved Family Dynamic
ANITA
- His relationship with his sister has improved. Before Pheno, everything was
the same “size.” Tickling, stubbing your toe, or getting a cut all had the same
reaction. He couldn’t discern which activity deserved which reaction. Now his
sister can tease him or tickle him and he doesn’t just shut down because he
doesn’t know what to do. He actually enjoys the goofing around and goofs right
back. It’s a total change from how he was before and it’s really improved their
relationship.
BEN
- Before I didn’t like to play board games with my family, or gaming with my
sister, because if I lost or it seemed like they ganged up on me, I would get
really upset. Before I would have felt threatened and afraid and just stopped
playing, but now I just keep playing my best and have fun with everyone.
The Investment
ANITA
- The investment may seem high at first, but if you’re paying $200 - $400 a
month for tutoring that goes on for years, the cost is nothing compared to the
result. The investment will repay you ten-fold later in life. He now has the
tools to do things, to do “life.” He’s changed forever. It really is a
fix!
If
you’d like to learn more about Pheno Brain Training, give us a call at (913)
608-9343. You can talk to other students and parents about their experiences
and success and learn more about the program.