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Developmental Functional 
Neurology

What is Developmental Functional Neurology?

Developmental functional neurology is a specialised area of study that investigates the intricate relationships between brain development and functional outcomes throughout a person's life. This approach emphasises the importance of understanding how neurological development occurs, particularly during critical periods such as early childhood. By recognising that brain function is influenced by a variety of factors including genetics, epigenetics, social/environmental conditions, and personal experiences. Practitioners can identify barriers to optimal functioning and devise targeted interventions. This holistic perspective allows for a comprehensive understanding of how to support individuals in achieving their developmental milestones.

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Central to developmental functional neurology is the concept of neuroplasticity, which refers to the brain's remarkable ability to adapt and reorganise itself in response to experiences and learning. This adaptability is especially pronounced in children, making early intervention crucial for addressing developmental delays or neurological challenges. Practitioners utilise various therapeutic techniques, including movement testing and therapies, vestibular / occular testing, vibration, laser therapy and cognitive training, to promote positive brain development and enhance functional skills. By focusing on the individual neurological profile of each client, developmental functional neurology aims to improve not only specific symptoms but also the overall quality of life for those facing neurological challenges.

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Developmental functional neurology is a treatment discipline for various neurological disorders including neurodivergence. Practitioners may have subspecialties, but in general, they treat brain injury patients, degenerative disorders (such as dementia), movement disorders, vestibular challenges (i.e. balance and dizziness issues), or any other neurological disease or disorder of unknown origin (typically something that traditional doctors have not been able to diagnose and treat successfully).

 

Developmental functional neurology does not include surgery or pharmaceutical solutions, but may employ a combination of  various therapies, stimulation tools, and recommended lifestyle changes.

Symptoms of developmental functional neurological issues 

  • Symptoms of developmental functional neurological issues can vary widely depending on the individual and the specific challenges they face. However, some common symptoms include:

  • Cognitive Delays: Difficulties with attention, memory, problem-solving, and other cognitive skills, which can manifest as learning difficulties or trouble following instructions.

  • Motor Skill Challenges: Issues with coordination, balance, and fine or gross motor skills, leading to clumsiness or difficulty with physical activities.

  • Sensory Processing Issues: Overreactions or underreactions to sensory stimuli, such as sounds, textures, or lights, making it hard to navigate everyday environments.

  • Behavioral Problems: Increased impulsivity, anxiety, or difficulty regulating emotions, which may result in behavioral outbursts or challenges in social interactions.

  • Language and Communication Difficulties: Delays in speech development, challenges in understanding language, or difficulties in using language effectively in social situations.

  • Social Interaction Challenges: Trouble forming relationships, understanding social cues, or engaging in cooperative play, which can lead to feelings of isolation.

  • Sleep Disturbances: Issues with falling asleep, staying asleep, or experiencing restful sleep, which can impact overall functioning and mood.

  • Difficulty with Daily Routines: Struggles with completing everyday tasks such as dressing, eating, and personal hygiene, often due to a lack of organisational skills or motor coordination.

  • Recognising these symptoms early on can facilitate timely intervention, helping to improve developmental outcomes and enhance overall quality of life. If you notice these signs in yourself or a loved one, consulting a professional in developmental functional neurology may be beneficial.

Services offered in developmental functional neurology:

  • Neurological Assessments: Comprehensive evaluations to identify cognitive, motor, and sensory processing abilities.

  • Neurodevelopmental Therapy: Tailored interventions designed to support optimal brain development in children, focusing on motor skills, coordination, and sensory integration.

  • Cognitive Rehabilitation: Programs aimed at improving attention, memory, and executive functioning through targeted cognitive exercises.

  • Movement Therapy: Activities that promote physical coordination and motor skills, enhancing overall brain function and development.

  • Sensory Integration Therapy: Techniques that help individuals process and respond to sensory information more effectively, improving daily functioning.

  • Stimulation Therapy: Using therapeutic tools such as vibration and lasers to stimulate or inhibit different parts of the brain to create more balance and synchronicity. 

  • Parental Guidance and Education: Workshops and resources for parents to understand neurological development and support their children at home.

  • Behavioral Therapy: Interventions designed to address behavioral challenges associated with developmental disorders, focusing on positive reinforcement and skill-building.

  • Collaborative Care: Working alongside other healthcare professionals, such as pediatricians and psychologists, to create comprehensive treatment plans tailored to each individual's needs.

  • Neurofeedback Training: A biofeedback technique that helps individuals gain control over brain function by training them to recognize and modify brainwave patterns.

  • Consultation Services: Providing expert advice and strategies for managing developmental and neurological issues in various settings, including schools and home environments.

  • These services aim to support individuals in their developmental journey, enhancing their overall neurological health and functional capabilities.

What can be the behavioural and emotional symtoms of retained Primitive Reflexes?

  • Anxiety and fearfulness

  • Panic attacks

  • Low self-esteem and lack of confidence

  • Dislike of change or surprise

  • Shy and withdrawn behaviour

  • Fear of separation from loved ones

  • Difficulty accepting and giving affection

  • Mood swings

  • Depressive feelings and behaviours

  • Defiant behaviours

  • OCD type behaviours

  • Impulsivity

  • Emotional immaturity

  • Aggressive outbursts, both verbal and physical

  • Frequent meltdowns

  • Hyperactivity

  • Oversensitivity to sensory stimuli

  • Avoidance of certain places and situations

  • Excessive daydreaming and fantasising

  • Inability to relax

  • Distractibility

  • Fussy eating

  • Controlling behaviour

  • Constant state of anxiety

  • Low tolerance to stress

  • Problems with concentration and attention

  • Difficulty making eye contact

  • Shallow breathing: breath holding when angry or upset

  • Over- or under attachment to adults and peers; fear of separation

  • Tendency to ‘freeze’ under stress (rather than ‘fight or flight’);  ‘Rabbit in the headlights’ response

  • Extreme “shyness”

  • Constant feelings of overwhelm

  • Excessive fear of embarrassment

  • Fear of social environments

  • Difficulty giving and receiving affection

  • Extreme fear of failure

  • Reluctance to try new activities

  • Intolerant to sudden change (physical and emotional)

  • Selective mutism

  • Negativity and defeatist attitude

  • Compulsive traits and phobias

  • Lack of confidence and low self esteem

  • Fear of change of any kind

  • Feeling stuck - not moving forwards in life, metaphorically or physically

  • Panic disorders

  • Sleep and eating disorders​

  • Poor sequencing skills

  • Poor organisation skills

What can be the physiological symtoms of retained Primitive Reflexes?

  • Lowered immune system - frequent ear, nose and throat infections

  • Digestive problems

  • Allergies - asthma, eczema as well as food allergies

  • Adverse reactions to medication

  • Fluctuating blood sugar levels (minor hypoglycaemia)

  • High blood pressure

  • Sleep problems

  • Headaches

  • Neck and shoulder pain

  • Reduced or increased appetite

  • Poor balance and coordination

  • Difficulty establishing laterality ( i.e dominant hand , eye or ear)

  • Difficulty crossing the midline ( e.g a right handed child may find it difficult to write on the left side of the page)

  • Discrepancy between oral and written performance

  • Issues with smooth tracking of the eyes (necessary for reading and writing)

  • Poor hand-eye coordination (e.g difficulty catching a ball)

  • Poor fine motor skills ( i.e handwriting)

  • Difficulty learning to ride a bicycle and swim

  • Sideways writing – with paper on an angle

  • Inability to sit still and fidgeting (‘ants in the pants’)

  • Poor concentration and short -term memory

  • Bedwetting beyond the age of 5

  • Possible scoliosis (if the reflex remains present on one side only)

  • Hip rotation to one side when walking

  • Hypersensitivity to fabrics and labels and generally fussy about clothing

  • Weak muscle tone

  • Poor sense of balance and tendency to car sickness

  • Dislike of sports

  • Poor sequencing skills, including poor sense of time

  • Visual-perception issues and spatial problems

  • Poor tracking skills

  • Poor posture- toe walking

  • Hypertonus resulting in stiff jerky movements

  • Poor sense of balance and tendency to car sickness

  • Visual-perception issues and spatial problems

  • Simian (ape-like) walk

  • Tendency to “slump” when sitting, particularly at a desk or table

  • Poor hand-eye coordination

  • Messy eating / Clumsiness

  • Difficulties with adjusting focus from distance to near, eg blackboard to desk

  • Difficulty learning to swim

  • "W” leg position when sitting on the floor

  • Hypersensitivity to sensory stimuli (sound, light, touch, smell and possibly taste)

Sound Familar?

There is hope!

The Treatment Programme

(non-invasive, drug-free)

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There is a non-invasive, drug-free ‘neural stimulation programme’ available which is aimed at eliminating the underlying causes of developmental delay, rather than treat its symptoms.

 

The programme consists of a combination of tactile skin stimulation and physical exercises, and is designed to mature the central nervous system by inhibiting retained primitive reflexes and allowing adult responses to come to the fore. This gives the central nervous system a second chance to develop, starting at the point where development was interrupted.

 

The programme is specially adapted to meet the needs and profile of the individual concerned.  In some cases, a sound programme may also be recommended.

 

The programme seeks to copy or mimic the stimuli and movements that should have taken place naturally. As babies develop initially through touch (first trimester) and thereafter through movement, we have found the combination of tactile skin stimulation and physical exercises to be very effective at simulating and restarting normal development of the central nervous system.

 

This therapy programme has the effect not only of inhibiting the primitive reflexes and maturing the central nervous system, but also aids the development of autonomy and a stronger sense of ‘self’ and leads to greater confidence and self-awareness. These are essential to bringing to maturity an immature psyche (which often goes hand-in hand with developmental delay) and enables the child or adult to realise their true potential and blossom into the person they were born to be.

 

The programme is done at home and needs to be performed once or twice a day by a parent, partner or self and takes between  3-10 minutes per session. Follow-up visits take place every 6-8 weeks, to check on progress and adapt  the programme, as necessary.  Duration of treatment is usually 12 months according to the individual’s profile, after which a 3-month break is put in place to assess how the “newly developed ” central nervous system is functioning . Following this break, some additional skin stimulation and /or exercises may be recommended.

 

The therapy can be carried out at any age – it is never too late to restart development of the central nervous system and we treat many adults. This is because the brain is ‘neuroplastic’, meaning that it has the ability to change during an individual’s lifetime . By removing the barriers that have prevented it from developing neuro-typically in the first place , we are giving the brain a second chance to do so.

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