Meet Heather Wells: Board Certified Cognitive Specialist, Speech-Language Pathologist, Author & Speaker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Heather Wells and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Heather, what inspires you?
I am grateful for this question because all of us need to recognize what speaks to our souls. Yet many of the kids we work with cannot answer this; they are not in touch with who they are at their core because of social, emotional, sensorimotor, or cognitive issues. Thus, they may appear lazy, defiant, apathetic, task avoidant, irresponsible, or some other unfavorable descriptor, when the truth is that hidden churns underlie those behaviors. Likewise, parents and caregivers who pour themselves into loving and supporting their children may lose sight of their sense of self apart from the roles they beautifully fill. The students and loved ones who courageously face their difficulties inspire me—because I have been the struggling student, the parent of kids enduring nearly invisible challenges, and the caregiver for parents dealing with substantial neurological issues. You won’t find many of life’s lessons in a textbook, and my purpose is to combine my professional and educational background with the chapters of my personal story to serve others so that they, too, can thrive as the best versions of themselves. It is hard for me to imagine a more profound inspiration than the gift God gave me to transform personal trials into an empathetic blessing for others. 

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
For starters, I am excited about my soon-to-be-released book! It is unique because I offer the student’s perspective, plus that of the parent/caregiver and the professional, based on my own story and background. I entitled it The Hidden Churn because frequently, kids’ struggles—or the sources of their issues—are practically invisible, and they may appear lazy, defiant, or behaviorally disruptive, for example. However, those issues are symptoms of something going awry at a more foundational level. These kids are often unable to articulate what is going on because they do not understand it themselves, or it is all they have ever known. I did not tell my mom and dad that I could not see, had terrible headaches, and was dizzy because I did not know life could be any other way. Parents are desperately searching for answers, and this book provides a voice to students, caregivers, and teachers, with a roadmap for what to do. Another message of my book centers around this critical point: It is not just about, “Can my loved one do this, yes or no?” Instead, we need to consider, “How hard do they churn to complete routine tasks the rest of us can easily take for granted?” Quality of life matters. I also own Brain Balance of Mansfield, Southlake, Katy, and The Woodlands, where we do not put labels on individuals. However, some of them come through our doors already having a diagnosis of mild to severe ADHD, dyslexia, anxiety, autism, learning differences, dysgraphia, sensory processing disorder, dyspraxia, or language delay, among others. One of the things that differentiates us is that we determine the root causes of students’ issues—through a thorough assessment of over 900 functions—and address them at the foundation rather than placing a Band-Aid on symptoms. A lack of connectivity (communication) in the brain—and between the body and the mind—causes these challenges. We discern each person’s student’s strengths and weaknesses and customize a holistic program that stimulates the brain’s weaker regions, based on what scientists have proven about neuroplasticity. Stated differently, we can help the students grow new neural pathways! Because of the holistic and customized Brain Balance approach, both brain and body-mind communication improve and become synchronized so that individuals can process input appropriately. The outward manifestation is a person who grows substantially in the areas of concern—social-emotional, behavioral, academic, sensorimotor, attention, memory, problem-solving, self-regulation, impulse control, and other cognitive and executive functions. I am excited about many advancements that ensure we meet families’ needs more fully. My Brain Balance centers offer three program options for students: onsite, virtual with live weekly coaching remotely, and a hybrid of the two. Additionally, we are about to roll out an adult version of the program, something families have been requesting for a long time. There are options something for everyone now! I am also ecstatic about the highly favorable findings of research Harvard Medical School, McLean Hospital, and Cambridge Brain Sciences teams have conducted on our program. They reported the vast improvement individuals achieve because of the customized, integrated approach at Brain Balance. Additionally, the Journal of Mental Health and Clinical Psychology released a peer-reviewed article in their March 2020 issue, demonstrating our program’s effectiveness in improving emotional wellbeing. In my centers and through the clarity provided in my book, families and professionals will realize the foundational issues, address the root causes of the difficulties instead of masking symptoms, and witness phenomenal and permanent life-changing transformations. Everyone deserves to be heard, enjoy dignity, and live their version of the highest quality of life.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
This city has so many interesting, diverse things to see and do! The itinerary would depend on which friend was visiting because I would want the week to be most enjoyable and meaningful for them. My friends and I are passionate about music, so we would listen to live local music and attend a concert at the American Airlines Center or Dos Equis Pavilion. Deep Ellum is such a cool district with its vibrant murals, music venues, and outdoor eating options, including the delectable Pecan Lodge. Many of my friends would enjoy a stroll in Klyde Warren Park or some outdoor cardio playing tennis. If it is their first trip to Dallas, the view from Reunion Tower is spectacular. No trip would be complete without an excursion to Fort Worth for some Texas “cowgirl” memories.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Oh, there are so many people to whom I am grateful for their love, support, and encouragement throughout this journey! My colleagues, Tammy Tubbs and Roxanne Evans, are like sisters to me. We brainstorm, laugh, and pray together, and they offer unwavering support. Stephanie is a dear friend who knows and understands me fully and is always ready to lend an ear, and she provides clarity when I have numerous thoughts swirling simultaneously. My aunts and uncles offer consistent love and encouragement, along with reminders to engage in self-care, and my parents epitomize perseverance in the face of unthinkable adversities. Finally, I am in awe of the phenomenal teams at all my centers, who pour their hearts, minds, and gifts into delivering the best outcomes for our students and families. The most challenging part of giving a shout-out is that I wish I could thank everyone individually because countless people have been instrumental in my story.

Website: https://www.hiddenchurn.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thehiddenchurn/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-wells-45367b18a/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HiddenChurn
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCukxf_D4gi2DlTitsMyg1aw/videos

Image Credits
Stephanie Ostin Photography