The Brain Development Podcast

About The Brain Development Podcast

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.

Publisher

Lara Barnes

Category

education

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

8 Jul 2025

Latest episode

30 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

72 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   30 Oct 2026

   He Couldn't Sit Still… Now He Sits and Reads Books!” – A Little Boy’s Brain Development Journey

   He Couldn't Sit Still… Now He Sits and Reads Books! – A little boy’s Brain Development JourneyWhat if your child could finally slow down, feel calmer and begin engaging in activities they previously struggled with?For many parents of children with sensory processing difficulties, developmental delays or challenges with attention and regulation, everyday activities like sitting down to enjoy a book can feel almost impossible.In this inspiring episode of The Brain Development Podcast, Lara Barnes, founder of Brain Development UK, speaks with mum Lizzie about the encouraging developmental changes she has witnessed in her little boy, Charles.Previously, Charles was constantly seeking sensory input. He struggled to settle, found it difficult to focus and avoided activities that required him to sit still.But Lizzie is now noticing something different.Charles is calmer. His sensory-seeking behaviour has reduced. And he is beginning to sit and enjoy looking at books — something he previously found extremely difficult.For Lizzie, these changes represent meaningful progress in her son's everyday life.Understanding Sensory Seeking and Brain DevelopmentDuring this conversation, Lara and Lizzie explore Charles's developmental journey, including the functional neurology techniques and dietary changes that formed part of his support programme.Lara also discusses why it can be valuable to look beyond a child's outward behaviour and consider the underlying sensory and motor skills that contribute to everyday functioning.At Brain Development UK, Lara explores areas including:Sensory processing and sensory-seeking behaviourPrimitive reflexes and early motor developmentVestibular function, balance and body awarenessNervous system regulationAttention, concentration and engagementCoordination and motor planningCommunication and developmental progressIt's Not Just About Sitting StillWhen a child who previously struggled to settle begins showing greater interest in books, play and everyday activities, the change can mean so much more than simply improved concentration.It can create new opportunities for learning, shared experiences and connection with family.Charles's story offers an encouraging perspective for parents who are searching for ways to better understand and support their child's development.Are You Worried About Your Child's Development?Perhaps your child:Constantly seeks movement, jumping, spinning or climbing.Struggles to sit still or concentrate.Finds everyday activities overwhelming.Has sensory processing difficulties.Experiences challenges with emotional regulation, coordination or communication.Has developmental delays or difficulties participating in play and learning.If these concerns sound familiar, this episode may help you think differently about the support your child needs.Lara Barnes is the founder of Brain Development UK, where she supports families through developmental assessments, individualised homecare programmes and education about the sensory and motor foundations of child development.Discover more about Lara's work and how to arrange an assessment:https://www.braindevelopment.co.ukSubscribe to The Brain Development Podcast for more parent stories and conversations about autism, ADHD, sensory processing, primitive reflexes, functional neurology, speech development and children's neurological development.Charles's progress is described from his mother's perspective. His experience is individual, and the improvements cannot be attributed to any one intervention without further evidence.#BrainDevelopmentUK #sensoryprocessing #sensoryseeking #childdevelopment #nervoussystemregulation

2. 

   22 Oct 2026

   He's Finally Connecting With Us” – A Mum's Story of Hope, Autism & Brain Development

   Better Sleep, More Eye Contact, More Connection – Konstantin's StoryWhat happens when a child who has struggled with sleep, sensory development and engagement begins showing new signs of connection with the world around him?In this moving episode of The Brain Development Podcast, Lara Barnes, founder of Brain Development UK, speaks with mum Ella about the developmental changes she has witnessed in her little boy, Konstantin, since they began working together in May 2026.In just a few months, Ella has noticed encouraging changes in Konstantin's everyday life.He's sleeping better. The abdominal bloating that previously concerned his family has largely resolved. He's showing improved eye contact, becoming more engaged with his surroundings and developing a greater interest in playing with cars and trains.For parents navigating developmental delays, sensory processing difficulties or concerns about their child's communication and engagement, these everyday milestones can mean everything.Looking Beyond the Symptoms – Understanding Brain DevelopmentAt Brain Development UK, Lara Barnes explores the foundational systems that contribute to children's development, including:Primitive reflexes and motor developmentSensory processing and sensory integrationBalance, vestibular function and coordinationBrainstem function and nervous system regulationCommunication, speech and language developmentEmotional regulation, attention and engagementGut health, sleep and their relationship with children's wellbeingThrough personalised developmental assessments and homecare programmes, Lara helps families understand their child's individual strengths and challenges and identify areas where additional support may be beneficial.A Parent's Story of HopeElla's experience is a reminder that developmental progress isn't always measured by one dramatic milestone.Sometimes it's sleeping through the night more comfortably.Sometimes it's picking up a toy and wanting to play.Sometimes it's making eye contact, sharing an experience or showing a new interest in the world.These are the moments families notice, celebrate and remember.If you're a parent searching for support with autism, developmental delay, speech delay, sensory processing difficulties, primitive reflexes or your child's brain development, this conversation offers a personal perspective on one family's journey.Find out more about Brain Development UKLara Barnes works with families seeking to understand their children's neurodevelopment, sensory-motor skills, coordination, communication and regulation.Discover assessments, personalised homecare support and educational resources:https://www.braindevelopment.co.ukSubscribe to The Brain Development Podcast for conversations about child development, autism, ADHD, speech and communication difficulties, primitive reflexes, sensory integration and supporting children's developmental needs.Konstantin's story reflects his family's reported experience. Every child's development is individual, and the changes described cannot establish which intervention caused them. Developmental support should complement appropriate medical, educational and speech and language services.#BrainDevelopmentUK #childdevelopment #developmentaldelays #sensoryprocessing

3. 

   15 Oct 2026

   Why Won’t My Child Go to School? Understanding School Refusal, Anxiety & the Nervous System

   What do you do when your child simply cannot cope with school?The morning anxiety starts. Getting dressed becomes a battle. They refuse to leave the house—or manage to hold everything together at school only to completely fall apart when they get home.It can look like defiance, avoidance, rigidity or challenging behaviour.But what if we stopped asking:“Why won't my child just go to school?”and started asking:“What is making school so difficult for my child to cope with?”In this episode of The Brain Development Podcast, Lara Barnes is joined by Vicky Finlayson of Happy Healthy Unicorn to explore school refusal through the lens of sensory load, nervous-system regulation, physical development, nutrition and a child's individual capacity to tolerate stress.Vicky shares her own experience of home educating and discusses children she has worked with who found the demands of school extraordinarily difficult. Together, Lara and Vicky explore just how much a school day can demand from a child: noise, lighting, smells, sitting still, social interaction, transitions, instructions, learning, visual attention and the constant requirement to adapt to somebody else's timetable.Lara then looks at the developmental systems involved in functioning within such a complex environment—including balance, postural control, sensory processing and visual control—and shares the story of a highly intelligent young girl who became so overwhelmed that she couldn't make it from a London station to Lara's clinic.Instead of forcing the assessment, Lara went to meet her where she felt safe.Once the pressure was removed and the young person was given choice, explanation and control, she engaged brilliantly. Her assessment subsequently identified specific postural and visual-control challenges that could make some everyday tasks more demanding.It's a powerful reminder:Capability and capacity are not the same thing.A child can be exceptionally bright and completely capable of understanding the schoolwork while still finding the sensory, physical, emotional and social demands surrounding learning overwhelming.Vicky and Lara also discuss why behaviours described as “rigid,” “non-compliant,” “oppositional” or “demand avoidant” may sometimes need to be understood in the context of the child's stress, sensory environment and capacity to cope—not simply as deliberate bad behaviour.One of Vicky's most useful analogies is to imagine your child's capacity as an elastic band.When a child is already operating close to their limit, continually stretching them further may result in greater distress rather than greater resilience. The goal is therefore not simply to push harder. It is to understand what is contributing to their difficulty, support them appropriately and gradually increase the range of situations they can manage.This episode is for the parent who has been told:“They're just trying to get out of school.”Or:“You need to be firmer.”Or who simply knows that their child is struggling but doesn't yet understand why.Featuring: Lara Barnes — Brain Development UKwww.braindevelopment.co.uk Vicky Finlayson — Happy Healthy Unicornwww.thehappyhealthyunicorn.comAnd if you'd like to continue learning with Lara and Vicky, join them inside Thrive Hub, their parent community offering weekly sessions, Q&As, masterclasses and practical education for families supporting neurodivergent children.One small editorial point before you publish: I would keep the public description centred on overwhelm, sensory demands, anxiety, regulation and individual assessment rather than repeating some of the stronger causal claims in the recording around “pyrol disorder,” toxins/vaccines causing reflexes to return, or specific dietary changes stabilising the nervous system. Those claims need considerably more qualification than a podcast description allows. The core message of this episode is strong without them.

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

6 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

18 ratings

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Books guests

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