Brain Balance
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Education, Health services |
| Founded | 2006 |
| Founder | Robert Melillo |
Area served | United States |
| Products | Brain exercise programs, physical activities, skill enhancement, nutritional guidance |
Brain Balance Achievement Centers operate as after-school facilities that provide a comprehensive program incorporating brain exercises, physical activities, skill enhancement, and nutritional guidance tailored for children experiencing developmental and learning disabilities.
History
Originating in 2006 through the efforts of New York-based chiropractor Robert Melillo, Brain Balance expanded its reach by adopting a franchising strategy, launching its inaugural center in 2007. By the beginning of 2018, the organization managed 110 locations and reported annual revenues amounting to $41 million.
Although the company experienced significant expansion, as of 2018, there was a lack of robust scientific validation for the program’s claimed benefits. The medical community has criticized the organization for making unsupported statements concerning neuroplasticity and brain development. In 2015, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services conducted a review that found insufficient evidence to substantiate Brain Balance’s treatment effectiveness. Further scrutiny came from a 2018 investigation by National Public Radio, which raised additional doubts about the company’s claims.
By 2024, Brain Balance had become an authorized provider within Wisconsin’s Children’s Long-Term Support (CLTS) Program, which is a Medicaid waiver designed to fund services for children with disabilities.