The Brain Development Podcast

Lara Barnes
  • 4.9 (36)
  • How To
  • Updated weekly

The Brain Development Podcast provides parents with a pathway to healing the behavioural and learning symptoms of their Autistic, Dyslexic, ADHD, OCD, Asperger's, Dyspraxic, and Dysgraphic child.  This podcast covers topics like building the foundation of the brain, correcting the behavioural and learning issues you see in your child with a neurodiverse child.  We shared parent success stories, expert insights, how the brain develops, what causes changes in a child's trajectory, how to help your child, gut health, microbiome, supplements, diet, nutrition, lab testing, visual and auditory systems, correcting the trajectory of a child with primitive reflexes, nervous system, photobiomodulation and so much more.  Join us to understand how you can help build your child's brain to let your child shine.

  1. 32 min ago

    HE STARTED SPEAKING IN 6 WEEKS! | Primitive Reflexes, Diet & Brain Development Success Story, with Parents Sophia & Richard

    If you have ever sat in your car with tears in your eyes, wondering if your child will ever speak, look you in the eye, or call you "mummy" or "daddy," this episode is your turning point. Lara is joined by Sophia and Richard, who share the extraordinary, real-life recovery story of their six-year-old son, Roman. After years of sensory dysregulation and non-verbal isolated struggle, Roman underwent a massive bottom-up neurological rebuild. By addressing infant reflexes, correcting gut imbalances, and utilizing cranial nerve work, his parents completely rewired his nervous system. Today, Roman is a thriving, fully verbal child in a mainstream school whose teacher says he "just blends in". It’s a fierce, emotional masterclass in parental tenacity, proving that when you refuse a static medical label and target the true biological root causes, an entire life can be transformed in months. Key Takeaways: Symptom vs Root Cause: Conventional speech therapy often manages the symptoms of delay with tools like Makaton, rather than addressing the baseline neurological blocks in the brainstem. The Power of Parental Tenacity: The speed of a child's neurological development is directly tied to the consistency of the parent; executing the plan daily is what creates the "explosion" of language. The 4-to-6 Week Reflex Shift: Meltdowns and behavioral spikes are often predictable phases of neural transition that resolve cleanly once primitive reflexes begin to integrate. Stacking for Saturation: Activating physical movement patterns while simultaneously introducing cognitive concepts (like letters or vocabulary) supercharges hemispheric connection. A Second-Generation Phenomenon: Neurodevelopmental traits often carry familial, epigenetic links; addressing these issues early prevents a child from getting stuck in low-level brain networks. Timestamps 00:00 – The Retrospect of Fear: Richard shares the painful reality of comparing his non-verbal son to other toddlers in retail spaces. 03:07 – The Breakthrough: Hearing "Bye Bye Daddy" for the first time and witnessing an 18-month developmental leap in just four months. 05:32 – The Gluten and Dairy Interventions: How transforming Roman’s gut chemistry cleared a hidden weight from his shoulders. 07:10 – Falling Through the Cracks: Why standard NHS card-based therapies fail to fix the foundational motor strip. 10:24 – Stacking on the Trampoline: How matching physical movement with animal naming fired Roman's right hemisphere. 14:44 – The 6-Week Meltdown Resolution: How primitive reflex integration cleanly eliminated behavioural transitions. 19:50 – From Withdrawn to Extrovert: Watching an expressive, communicative, and empathetic personality emerge. 22:10 – The Generational Proof: Sophia discusses how her own childhood speech therapy success inspired her to choose functional neurology for Roman. 26:17 – Looking Forward Without Fear: Moving past the dread of mainstream school and planning a future without medical labels. SOCIAL/IMPORTANT LINKS ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@braindevelopmentuk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/braindevelopmentuk/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/larakelly/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https:/www.braindevelopment.co.uk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Thrive Hub ⁠https://www.thrive-hub.com/⁠ HOST BIO Lara Barnes a successful woman in tech found herself managing behavioural, learning and speech difficulties with her son, she learn functional neurology and how to change the brain to correct his symptoms and build his left brain. The Building the Brain Podcast is for parents needing to understand how to help their children and show them what can be done to change little lives to allow them to shine and be their best version. This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    33 min
  2. Could a Strep Infection Be Behind Your Child's Sudden Behaviour Change?

    18 Jun

    Could a Strep Infection Be Behind Your Child's Sudden Behaviour Change?

    A child can go from typically developing to washing their hands a thousand times a day almost overnight, and the cause may have nothing to do with primary mental illness. Lara Barnes talks with Vicky Finlayson of The Happy Healthy Unicorn about PANS and PANDAS, autoimmune conditions where infections like strep, Coxsackie virus or impetigo trigger antibodies that mistakenly attack the brain's basal ganglia, producing sudden OCD, tics, anxiety and behavioural regression. Vicky draws on her clinical work and her own daughter's diagnosis to explain how leaky gut, histamine and immune dysregulation feed into these flares, and what diagnostic testing and natural interventions actually help. Listeners will learn the specific symptom patterns and infection history that point toward PANS or PANDAS rather than a standalone psychiatric label, which blood markers and panels can clarify a diagnosis, and practical dietary and supplement strategies parents can start using straight away. If your child's behaviour changed seemingly overnight, this conversation offers a different lens worth hearing. KEY TAKEAWAYS Watch for a sudden, overnight onset of OCD, tics or severe separation anxiety rather than a gradual decline, since this abrupt shift is one of the clearest signals pointing toward PANS or PANDAS rather than a standalone psychiatric condition. Review your child's infection history for known triggers such as impetigo, scarlet fever, strep throat, hand-foot-and-mouth disease, or persistent sinus infections, since identifying the original infectious trigger shapes which treatment approach will actually help. Address gut health as a first step, removing inflammatory foods, added sugar and refined carbohydrates while adding vegetables, protein and pro- and prebiotic foods, since a leaky gut is described as a major driver of the neuroinflammation behind PANS/PANDAS flares. Request specific blood testing, such as ASO and DNase B strep markers or broader panels covering Coxsackie virus, Lyme, Epstein-Barr and immune activity, if you suspect PANS/PANDAS, since standard psychiatric evaluation alone often misses the underlying infectious trigger. Try natural histamine-lowering and immune-calming supports such as nettle, quercetin, magnesium, inositol and Epsom salt baths alongside dietary changes, since mast cell activation and immune dysregulation commonly drive symptom flares in these children. QUOTES "There is hope, there is recovery from this condition." "Every mental health condition has a biological cause anyway." "The brain is just being hijacked, and it's completely in a loop." "Everything is changeable in this realm." "Awareness is critical, early recognition and appropriate medical evaluation can really change outcomes." SOCIAL/IMPORTANT LINKS ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@braindevelopmentuk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/braindevelopmentuk/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/larakelly/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https:/www.braindevelopment.co.uk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ HOST BIO Lara Barnes a successful woman in tech found herself managing behavioural, learning and speech difficulties with her son, she learn functional neurology and how to change the brain to correct his symptoms and build his left brain. The Building the Brain Podcast is for parents needing to understand how to help their children and show them what can be done to change little lives to allow them to shine and be their best version. This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    27 min

  3. 11 Jun

    Building a Better Future for Neurodiverse Children | The Thrive Hub Launch

    What if there was a place where you finally felt understood? Vicky Finlayson joins Lara to introduce Thrive Hub, a new community created for parents navigating the challenges of raising neurodiverse children. Drawing on their own experiences, they share why so many families feel isolated, overwhelmed by conflicting information, and unsure where to turn for trusted guidance. The conversation explores the importance of education, community, practical support, and understanding the whole child rather than focusing solely on symptoms. They discuss making expert-led guidance more accessible, empowering parents with knowledge, and creating a safe space where families can connect, learn and grow together. At its heart, Thrive Hub was built to help families feel less alone and more confident as they support their child's development and wellbeing. Key Takeaways Community and connection can be just as valuable as information. Parents need trusted guidance to navigate conflicting advice. Understanding the root causes behind symptoms creates better outcomes. Education empowers families to make confident decisions. Accessible support can help more children and families thrive. Timestamps 00:00 – Welcome to Thrive Hub01:05 – Why Parents Feel So Alone02:35 – Searching for Answers in a World of Conflicting Advice04:20 – Creating a Safe Space for Families05:55 – The Power of Expert Guidance & Community Support07:30 – From Personal Struggle to Shared Mission09:05 – Making Healing More Accessible10:40 – Understanding the Whole Child12:15 – Education, Empowerment & Parent Confidence13:40 – Supporting Families Beyond the Child15:00 – The Vision for Thrive Hub15:45 – How to Join & Final Thoughts SOCIAL/IMPORTANT LINKS ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@braindevelopmentuk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/braindevelopmentuk/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/larakelly/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https:/www.braindevelopment.co.uk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Vicky Finlayson Links ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://thehappyhealthyunicorn.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thehappyhealthyunicorn⁠⁠⁠ Thrive Hub https://www.thrive-hub.com/ HOST BIO Lara Barnes a successful woman in tech found herself managing behavioural, learning and speech difficulties with her son, she learn functional neurology and how to change the brain to correct his symptoms and build his left brain. The Building the Brain Podcast is for parents needing to understand how to help their children and show them what can be done to change little lives to allow them to shine and be their best version. This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    19 min

  4. 4 Jun

    Why Your Neurodiverse Child Regresses in Spring (And How to Help)

    That springtime "regression" you're seeing in your child might not be regression at all — it could be their body releasing toxicity, compounded by a histamine system tipped completely out of balance. In this conversation, host Lara Barnes is joined by Vicky Finlayson of The Happy Healthy Unicorn to unpack why seasonal allergies hit neurodiverse children so hard. They explore the immune "seesaw" between innate and acquired immunity, the role of depleted cortisol and exhausted adrenals, and why undermethylation — present in around 98% of autistic children — makes histamine so difficult to clear. You'll learn how dehydration, low stomach acid and gut pathogens like Blastocystis and Klebsiella ramp up histamine, plus practical, food-first interventions: natural antihistamines, high-histamine foods to reduce, clever hydration tricks for kids who don't feel thirst, and simple ways to support stomach acid and digestion. If allergy season turns your child's behaviour upside down, this episode offers a genuine pathway forward KEY TAKEAWAYS Recognise that springtime "regression" may be your child's body naturally releasing stored toxicity, with seasonal allergies compounding it on top — not necessarily a true loss of skills. Understand the immune seesaw: when innate immunity is suppressed, acquired immunity overreacts, which is why a child can show endless food sensitivities yet never shake a chronic yeast or parasitic infection. Prioritise hydration first — the body produces more histamine when dehydrated, so make water appealing with fruit, fun ice cubes, special straws, or a splash of juice for kids who can't feel thirst. Support stomach acid with zinc (critical for both acid production and methylation), bitter herbs, lemon water, apple cider vinegar, or betaine HCl and pepsin, since low acid also drives histamine up. Reduce histamine load during acute flares by cutting high-histamine foods (smoked meats and fish, bone broth, spinach, bananas, dark chocolate) and adding natural antihistamines like nettle, bromelain, mullein, pomegranate and holy basil. QUOTES "Sometimes we can see what looks like a regressive event during this time, but actually it is just the body releasing toxicity." "The greater the histamine load in a person, the more oppositional behaviour, the more anger, the more rigidity." "It's not a true allergy — it's just where the immune system has gone wild, and that's what happens with pollen in these children." "I think there's a misconception that if you're undermethylated, you're undermethylated forever — and that's just not the case." "She would run through a bed of stinging nettles and come out laughing — she could not feel her body." SOCIAL/IMPORTANT LINKS ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@braindevelopmentuk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/braindevelopmentuk/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/larakelly/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https:/www.braindevelopment.co.uk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ HOST BIO Lara Barnes a successful woman in tech found herself managing behavioural, learning and speech difficulties with her son, she learn functional neurology and how to change the brain to correct his symptoms and build his left brain. The Building the Brain Podcast is for parents needing to understand how to help their children and show them what can be done to change little lives to allow them to shine and be their best version. This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    32 min

  5. 28 May

    Is Your Child Breathing Properly? What You Can Do About it” with Breathing Specialists Charlotte Marsh and Dr Louise

    Have you ever stopped to really watch your child breathe? While it is the most natural thing in the world, many neurodiverse children have developed dysfunctional breathing patterns that directly impact their sleep, focus, and emotional regulation. In this eye-opening episode, we are joined by breathing specialists Charlotte Marsh and Dr Louise Oliver to dive into the "NEAT" code for better breathing. We explore the massive neurological benefits of nasal breathing—which activates 50% more brain areas for memory than mouth breathing—and why habitual snoring is a red flag parents should not ignore. From the physical impact on jaw development to the hidden anxiety caused by over-breathing, this conversation provides practical, simple strategies you can implement at home tonight. Learn why "taking a big breath" might be the wrong cue and how a simple nightly nose-blow could be the first step in building a more resilient, settled brain. Key Takeaways Nasal Breathing is a Superpower: Breathing through the nose produces nitric oxide and activates 50% more brain regions responsible for executive function and memory. Snoring is Not Normal: Habitual mouth breathing or gasping for air during sleep (apnoea) are signs of disordered breathing that hinder brain detoxification and oxygenation. The Facial Connection: Long-term mouth breathing can alter a child's facial structure, potentially leading to a recessed jaw and more restricted airways. Avoid Adult Cues: Children have a naturally faster respiratory rate; forcing them to take slow, "adult" breaths can inadvertently trigger a fight-or-flight stress response. The "Nose-Blow" Habit: Ensuring a child’s nasal passages are clear before bed is one of the simplest ways to support a healthy nervous system through the night. Timestamps 00:00 – Foundations of Breath: Why breathing is a foundational yet overlooked aspect of brain development. 01:25 – Meet the Experts: Charlotte and Louise share their journeys from personal injury and the NHS into breathwork. 03:55 – The NEAT Code: Breaking down Nose, Easy, Air, and Time for children. 06:22 – Spotting Disordered Breathing: Red flags to watch for, including mouth breathing and postural changes. 09:32 – Facial Structure and Airways: How the way a child breathes shapes their jaw, palate, and future airway health. 12:54 – The Vagal Connection: Why "taking a big breath" can increase anxiety and how to use humming to calm the vagus nerve. 16:45 – Practical At-Home Tips: Simple strategies, such as blowing the nose before bed, to improve sleep quality. 21:10 – Rebuilding Resilience: The vital link between functional breathing and a child's ability to cope with daily stress. Dr Louise Oliver Links Website: https://www.drlouiseolivertherapeuticlifecoaching.com/ E-mail: info@drlouiseolivertherapeuticlifecoaching.com Instagram @drlouiseolivertlc Facebook @louiseoliver YouTube @drlouiseolivertlc Linkedin @louiseoliver Charlotte Marsh Links https://www.instagram.com/betterbreathing/ https://www.tiktok.com/@susiesloth_bobb?_t=ZG-8tKboxWgr44&_r=1 https://youtube.com/@benefitsofbetterbreathing-123?si=nWubYtEu7HGvNScL SOCIAL/IMPORTANT LINKS ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@braindevelopmentuk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/braindevelopmentuk/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/larakelly/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https:/www.braindevelopment.co.uk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ HOST BIO Lara Barnes a successful woman in tech found herself managing behavioural, learning and speech difficulties with her son, she learn functional neurology and how to change the brain to correct his symptoms and build his left brain. The Building the Brain Podcast is for parents needing to understand how to help their children and show them what can be done to change little lives to allow them to shine and be their best version. This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    44 min

  6. 21 May

    Why Your Child Wakes at Night (And How to Fix It Naturally) with Vicky Finlayson

    Exhausted by the nightly battle to get your child to stay asleep? This professional yet accessible episode features Vicky Finlayson from The Happy Healthy Unicorn, who joins the Brain Development Podcast to break down why mainstream sleep advice often fails neurodiverse children. We dive deep into the biological "misses" that trigger night waking, from midnight cortisol spikes caused by blood glucose drops to the hidden role of histamine and "alerting" scents in the bedroom environment. Vicky explains why a bedtime snack of protein paired with complex carbs might be the missing link for your child's melatonin production and offers practical tips on "detoxing" the sleep environment—including the surprising impact of LED lights and EMFs. Whether you are dealing with a child who "forgets" how to fall asleep or frequent night rages, this conversation provides a toolkit of nutritional interventions and environmental shifts to help your child finally get the rest they need. Key Takeaways Manage Blood Glucose: Drops in blood sugar at night trigger the release of cortisol—a stress hormone—which alerts the brain and causes the child to wake up. The Tryptophan Pairing: While protein contains tryptophan (an essential amino acid for sleep), it requires a complex carbohydrate to successfully "shunt" it into the brain for melatonin production. Reduce Toxic Load: The liver is most active between 1 AM and 3 AM; removing scented items like bath bombs or crayons from the bedroom reduces the burden on this organ, preventing arousal. Histamine Awareness: High histamine levels act as a stimulant; LED lights and certain gut bacteria can increase histamine production, keeping the nervous system alert. Topical Magnesium: Applying magnesium chloride flakes or spray to the feet is an effective way to calm an overactive nervous system without needing oral supplements. Timestamps 00:00 – The Exhausted Parent's Guide to Sleep: Introduction to sleep struggles in neurodiverse populations. 02:15 – Blood Glucose and Midnight Cortisol Spikes: Understanding the metabolic triggers for night waking. 04:50 – The Science of Tryptophan: Why a bedtime snack of protein and complex carbs is essential. 08:30 – Detoxing the Bedroom: How scents, EMFs, and liver activity impact rest. 11:15 – The LED and Histamine Connection: Why your child’s nightlight might be keeping them awake. 14:20 – Natural Antihistamines and Magnesium Strategies: Practical nutritional tools for calming the brain. 18:00 – Closing Thoughts: Final advice for parents and next steps in the healing journey. Vicky Finlayson Links ⁠⁠⁠https://thehappyhealthyunicorn.com/⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thehappyhealthyunicorn⁠⁠⁠ SOCIAL/IMPORTANT LINKS ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@braindevelopmentuk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/braindevelopmentuk/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/larakelly/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https:/www.braindevelopment.co.uk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ HOST BIO Lara Barnes a successful woman in tech found herself managing behavioural, learning and speech difficulties with her son, she learn functional neurology and how to change the brain to correct his symptoms and build his left brain. The Building the Brain Podcast is for parents needing to understand how to help their children and show them what can be done to change little lives to allow them to shine and be their best version. This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    22 min

  7. 14 May

    There Is Something You Can Do: How One Mum Changed Her Son’s Future” with Tara Parry

    Ever felt the sting of being "held back" after school for another incident report? This episode is a lighthouse for any parent navigating the complexities of neurodiversity. We are joined by Tara Parry, a courageous mum who share the raw, honest story of her son, Herbie. Tara takes us through their intensive three-year journey, detailing the "hard graft" of an 18-month reflex integration program and the specific exercises that transformed Herbie’s motor skills in weeks. We explore the clinical side of their success—from using neurofeedback to help Herbie "remember" how to sleep, to discovering surprising food sensitivities through Organic Acid Testing. Tara’s story proves that while the path isn't easy, the destination—a child who "just blends in" and thrives at expected school levels—is worth every single black 'X' on the calendar. Key Takeaways Motor Markers of Brain Gaps: Difficulties with pincer grips or an inability to cross the midline are often neurological markers that can be corrected with specific, daily brain-changing exercises. The "Bottom-Up" Sequence: Successful healing starts in the brain stem by integrating primitive reflexes before moving to higher-level therapies like neurofeedback or photobiomodulation. Tenacity in Saturation: True neurological change requires persistent "hard graft"—Tara committed to 18 months of twice-daily exercises, treating them as non-negotiable as brushing teeth. Refining Nutrition: Beyond just going gluten and dairy-free, specific testing can uncover "healthy food" sensitivities, such as salicylates in brightly coloured fruits, that may drive excitatory behaviour. Regressions are Progress: Intense behavioural regressions during reflex work, particularly with the Spinal Galant or ATNR, are signs of the nervous system rewiring, not failure. Timestamps 00:00 – Spotting the Early Signs: Recognising a "mother's instinct" even when milestones seem to be met. 06:44 – The First Breakthrough: How five minutes of daily "crossing the midline" exercises changed Herbie's motor skills in weeks. 11:47 – The Hard Graft of Reflexes: Navigating an 18-month integration program and the reality of school regressions. 20:15 – Unlocking Sleep with Neurofeedback: Moving from sleep deprivation to 10-hour nights by influencing brain waves. 25:10 – The Organic Acid Test: Why "rainbow diets" and green smoothies aren't the best choice for every child. 31:10 – Photobiomodulation & Brain Maps: Using red-light helmets and QEEG data to calm emotional responses. 38:00 – From Struggle to Blending In: The dream parents' evening and Herbie's new academic trajectory. 43:40 – A Message of Hope: The power of tenacity and building the brain stem from the bottom up. SOCIAL/IMPORTANT LINKS ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@braindevelopmentuk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/braindevelopmentuk/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/larakelly/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https:/www.braindevelopment.co.uk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ HOST BIO Lara Barnes a successful woman in tech found herself managing behavioural, learning and speech difficulties with her son, she learn functional neurology and how to change the brain to correct his symptoms and build his left brain. The Building the Brain Podcast is for parents needing to understand how to help their children and show them what can be done to change little lives to allow them to shine and be their best version. This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    40 min

  8. 7 May

    Why Some Children Become Violent & have PDA: The Missing Link Parents Need to Know (Pyrol Explained) with Vicky Finlayson

    If you’ve ever found yourself asking, "Why is my child so aggressive?" or felt the heartbreak of a violent outburst you can't explain, this episode is for you. We sit down with Vicky Finlayson to discuss Pyrole Disorder—a frequently overlooked biochemical imbalance that strips the body of the very nutrients needed for calm: B6 and Zinc. When these "scaffolding" nutrients are depleted, children are left with a critically low tolerance for stress, leading to rages that aren't a choice, but a biological crisis. We dive into the groundbreaking research of the Walsh Institute, explore why common supplements like Omega-3 can sometimes backfire, and discuss a simple, non-invasive test that can provide life-changing answers in as little as two weeks. It’s time to move past the labels of "oppositional" and look at the internal stress driving the behavior, offering a pathway toward true regulation and peace for the whole family. Key Takeaways Pyrole Disorder causes the body to "pee out" vital B6 and zinc, which are essential cofactors for the calming neurotransmitters GABA and Serotonin. Aggressive outbursts and poor stress tolerance in neurodiverse children are often physiological coping mechanisms, not deliberate behavioral choices. Internal stressors, such as chronic bacterial or viral infections, can drive up pyrole production just as much as environmental stress. While usually considered healthy, Omega-3 supplements can devastate children with high pyroles by further unbalancing the Omega-6/Omega-3 ratio. Pyrole Disorder is linked to irrational fears, phobias, and severe blood glucose issues due to its impact on the insulin pathway. 00:00 – Introduction 00:32 – The Stigma of Violence in Neurodiversity 01:03 – Dr. Walsh’s Research on Violent Offenders 02:37 – Stress and Pyrole Production 03:52 – The Role of GABA and Serotonin 05:27 – The Link Between Copper and Violence 09:41 – Testing for Pyrole Disorder 10:48 – Case Study: Overcoming Severe PDA 12:54 – The Personal Impact of Phobias 15:05 – Biology Over Behavioural Choice 16:00 – Closing and Contact Information Vicky Finlayson Links ⁠⁠⁠https://thehappyhealthyunicorn.com/⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thehappyhealthyunicorn⁠⁠⁠ SOCIAL/IMPORTANT LINKS ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@braindevelopmentuk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/braindevelopmentuk/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/larakelly/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https:/www.braindevelopment.co.uk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ HOST BIO Lara Barnes a successful woman in tech found herself managing behavioural, learning and speech difficulties with her son, she learn functional neurology and how to change the brain to correct his symptoms and build his left brain. The Building the Brain Podcast is for parents needing to understand how to help their children and show them what can be done to change little lives to allow them to shine and be their best version. This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    22 min
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4.9
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36 Ratings

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The Brain Development Podcast provides parents with a pathway to healing the behavioural and learning symptoms of their Autistic, Dyslexic, ADHD, OCD, Asperger's, Dyspraxic, and Dysgraphic child.  This podcast covers topics like building the foundation of the brain, correcting the behavioural and learning issues you see in your child with a neurodiverse child.  We shared parent success stories, expert insights, how the brain develops, what causes changes in a child's trajectory, how to help your child, gut health, microbiome, supplements, diet, nutrition, lab testing, visual and auditory systems, correcting the trajectory of a child with primitive reflexes, nervous system, photobiomodulation and so much more.  Join us to understand how you can help build your child's brain to let your child shine.

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