https://balancedlearningcenter.com/

Balanced Learning Center, 45 Rock Street, Fall River, MA (2025)

11/20/2025

At Balanced Learning Center, we believe collective care doesn’t have to be big to make a real difference. Everyone deserves to have what they need with dignity, privacy, and zero barriers.

Our new small, self-serve, confidential pantry is now open in the BLC office. It’s stocked with non-perishable food items and hygiene products, and it’s available to any child, teen, adult, or family passing through our office.

✨ Take what you need. No questions asked.
✨ Completely private.
✨ No sign-in, no explanation, no stigma.

If there’s something you need that isn’t currently offered, you can:
• Leave a sealed note in the top drawer
• Email us at group.programsblc@gmail.com

At BLC, we believe meeting basic needs is mental health support.

11/13/2025

Today is a reminder that kindness is one of the most powerful forces for collective healing.

Kindness regulates nervous systems.

Kindness strengthens communities.

Kindness expands access, connection, and belonging.

When we practice it intentionally, kindness becomes a form of global well-being.

At Balanced Learning Center, we see every day how a single compassionate interaction can shift a moment, a classroom, a family, or an entire community.

Kindness looks like slowing down for someone’s sensory needs, pausing before reacting, offering a soft place to land, or choosing curiosity over judgment.

These moments add up.
They shape culture.
They make healing possible.

✨ Today, we invite you to practice one act of meaningful kindness… for yourself, for someone you love, for a stranger, or for someone whose voice isn’t always heard.

Collectively, small acts become big change and big change is how we create a world where every mind, every body, and every experience is valued.

Happy World Kindness Day.

Let’s build a kinder world—together.

11/09/2025

I know the world feels hard right now — and maybe a little noisier than usual.

If you’ve noticed that it’s been quiet here, it’s because we’ve been taking that time to focus inward: spending more time working quietly behind the scenes, planning new projects, collaborating with partners, and thinking deeply about how to keep showing up for this community in ways that feel meaningful.

There’s so much goodness taking shape behind the scenes, and we’re looking forward to sharing it with you soon. In the meantime, be gentle with yourselves.

It’s okay to rest, to feel, and to keep moving at your own pace.

— Sara 🌿

10/31/2025

🎃 Happy Halloween!

If you’re headed out trick-or-treating tonight, remember that Halloween belongs to everyone that wants to participate. Every kid and teen belongs.

Yes, I said teen too…. If you see teenagers out trick-or-treating, remember they’re hanging onto being a kid a little bit longer. Let them linger in childhood a bit longer.

If you’re passing out candy, same rules apply. Let kids participate in the ways that make sense for them. We don’t have to wait for a verbal trick-or-treat to hand out Skittles!

Be kind. Have fun. Hold onto those childhoods just a little longer!

10/22/2025

At Balanced Learning Center, we support people — not just kids.

Our clinicians work with adolescents, adults, parents, and families to strengthen relationships, improve emotional well-being, and build the tools needed to thrive at every age.

Whether it’s a child learning new coping strategies, a teen navigating identity and stress, or an adult working toward balance and healing — our team provides affirming care across the lifespan.

We provide :
Individual therapy • Family sessions • Caregiver coaching • Group programs

💛 Because growth doesn’t stop at childhood.

We’re also thrilled to introduce two of our incredible clinicians who help make this possible:

✨ Adrianna Hodgon, LMSW – Adrianna brings warmth, creativity, and a neurodiversity-affirming lens to her work with teens and adults. She specializes in helping clients explore emotional regulation and self-expression through compassionate, strengths-based approaches.

🌿 Maddie Bilowus, MA– Maddie is passionate about supporting families and caregivers alongside the children and adolescents she serves. Her approach centers collaboration, empowerment, and helping clients build the skills and confidence they need to feel understood and supported.

Together, Adrianna and Maddie embody our mission: creating spaces where every person — at any age — feels seen, valued, and supported.

10/18/2025

🎃 👻 It’s almost Trunk or Treat time!

Join us for a not-so-scary afternoon filled with costumes, candy, and community fun at Balanced Learning Center! 🍬

Bring your little ghosts and superheroes for a safe, sensory-friendly event where every trunk brings something fun to discover. Costumes are welcome (but not required), and we’ll have treats for everyone — including allergy-friendly options! 💛

📅 TODAY, Saturday, October 18, 2025
🕛 12:00–2:00 PM
📍 Balanced Learning Center, 45 Rock Street, Fall River, MA

🧡 This free family event is all about connection, inclusion, and a little bit of Halloween magic—without the scares!

Spread the word, invite your friends, and get ready for an afternoon of laughter, creativity, and community spirit.

10/14/2025

This week’s federal layoffs hit the U.S. Department of Education hard and families of students with disabilities need to know what this means.

Here are the top things to understand 👇

1️⃣ The Office that enforces the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) has been gutted.

Almost all staff who oversee special education funding, compliance, and supports have been laid off. That means the federal oversight system that protects your child’s right to services is effectively offline.

2️⃣ Grant and funding delays are likely.

Districts depend on federal IDEA funding to pay for special educators, therapists, and assistive technology. Delays could cause hiring freezes, program cuts, or slower service delivery.

3️⃣ Civil rights enforcement is weakened.

The Office for Civil Rights—responsible for investigating discrimination in schools—is also losing staff. Families may face longer wait times or fewer options when filing complaints.

4️⃣ States and districts will be stretched thin.

Without federal guidance or technical assistance, states may interpret IDEA differently, creating major inequities between well-resourced and under-resourced districts.

5️⃣ Families will need to advocate even more.

Keep documentation, know your child’s rights under IDEA, and connect with local advocacy organizations. If your child’s IEP services are reduced or delayed, request meetings in writing and seek support from your state’s Parent Training and Information Center.

💬 This isn’t just bureaucratic news — it affects classrooms, services, and children’s daily lives.

The system meant to guarantee equity for disabled students is under severe strain. Staying informed, documenting everything, and speaking up at local school and state levels has never mattered more.

10/13/2025

🌟 Join Us Tomorrow Night! 🌟

Screens can be a source of joy, learning, and connection — but also a source of stress for families trying to find balance. Join us for “Digital Balance: Screen Time Through a Neurodiversity-Affirming Lens” — a virtual workshop designed especially for caregivers of neurodivergent kids. 💻💬

📅 Tuesday, October 14, 2025
🕖 7:00–8:30 PM (Virtual)
🔗 Register here: https://forms.gle/yQNoHpHncopbedTN9

Together we’ll explore:
✨ Common myths and misconceptions about screen time
✨ How to reframe digital use as both a challenge and a strength
✨ Practical strategies for creating balance without shame or stigma
✨ Ways to strengthen collaboration between parents, kids, and schools

This interactive session will help you approach screen time with connection, compassion, and confidence — honoring the unique needs of both kids and caregivers.

🧠 Hosted by Balanced Learning Center
📩 Questions? Contact info@balancedlearningcenter.com
🌐 www.balancedlearningcenter.com

10/12/2025

As the weekend winds down, it’s easy to feel pressure to “make the most” of every minute. But sometimes the best thing we can do is pause and soften the pace.

Evening routines don’t need to be perfect — they just need to be predictable enough to feel safe and calming. 🕯️

Here are a few gentle ways to close the day:
✨ Dim the lights and lower the volume to help everyone’s senses settle.
✨ Keep bedtime transitions gradual — think cozy pajamas, soft textures, and low voices.
✨ End with connection, not correction: a hug, a story, or gratitude for one small moment that went right today.

No matter how the day unfolded, you did enough. You are enough. 💛

10/11/2025

Weekends can be a tricky balance — families often crave rest, but the sudden change in structure can feel overwhelming for some kids (and adults, too).

One helpful tip? Create a simple “anchor activity.”
✨ It’s a familiar, predictable routine that helps everyone feel grounded — like a Saturday pancake breakfast, a morning walk, or quiet reading time together.

Anchor activities provide comfort through consistency without making the day feel overly scheduled. They help signal safety, connection, and togetherness — exactly what our weekends are for. 💛

10/11/2025

🌟 Finding Balance in a Digital World 🌟

Screens can be a source of joy, learning, and connection — but also a source of stress for families trying to find balance. Join us for “Digital Balance: Screen Time Through a Neurodiversity-Affirming Lens” — a virtual workshop designed especially for caregivers of neurodivergent kids. 💻💬

📅 Tuesday, October 14, 2025
🕖 7:00–8:30 PM (Virtual)
🔗 Register here: https://forms.gle/DUFRM1DEVX2T9WDP6

Together we’ll explore:
✨ Common myths and misconceptions about screen time
✨ How to reframe digital use as both a challenge and a strength
✨ Practical strategies for creating balance without shame or stigma
✨ Ways to strengthen collaboration between parents, kids, and schools

This interactive session will help you approach screen time with connection, compassion, and confidence — honoring the unique needs of both kids and caregivers.

🧠 Hosted by Balanced Learning Center
📩 Questions? Contact info@balancedlearningcenter.com
🌐 www.balancedlearningcenter.com

10/10/2025

Fall brings crisp air, new routines, and a shift in sensory experiences — the sounds of leaves crunching, the smell of pumpkin spice, and the feel of cooler weather.
For many neurodivergent kids (and adults!), these changes can be exciting and overwhelming.

Here are a few sensory-aware ideas to help your family ease into the season with comfort and joy:

✨ 1. Keep predictable routines.
Shorter days and schedule changes can feel disorienting. Visual schedules or simple daily check-ins can help everyone know what to expect.

🧤 2. Layer for sensory comfort.
Some kids may be sensitive to scratchy sweaters or heavy coats. Try tag-free, soft fabrics or seamless underlayers to make new clothes feel more familiar.

🍎 3. Explore fall textures gradually.
Not everyone loves sticky apple-picking or messy pumpkin guts — and that’s okay! Offer tools like gloves, spoons, or brushes so participation feels safe and optional.

🌰 4. Create a cozy sensory corner.
As the weather cools, set up a “comfort zone” with soft blankets, favorite fidgets, dim lighting, and calming scents like vanilla or apple.

🎃 5. Prepare for sensory-heavy events.
If you’re attending fairs, parades, or Halloween events, plan for breaks, bring headphones, and have a “quiet exit” strategy if things get too intense.

Transitions are easier when we honor every sensory system — and every individual’s unique way of experiencing the world. 💛

Balanced Learning Center

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