The Brain Development Podcast cover art

The Brain Development Podcast

The Brain Development Podcast

Written by: Lara Barnes
Listen for free

LIMITED TIME OFFER | Get 2 Months for ₹5/month

About this listen

 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. Hygiene & Healthy Living Parenting Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Relationships
Episodes
  • ADHD Beyond the Label: A Strength-Based Guide for Parents With Sean McNicholas

    ADHD Beyond the Label: A Strength-Based Guide for Parents With Sean McNicholas
    Mar 6 2026
    In this interview from the Brain Development Podcast, Lara interviews Sean McNicholas, an ADHD therapist who specializes in supporting teenagers and adults. Sean shares his personal journey living with ADHD and his professional shift from corporate life to psychotherapy, driven by a desire to understand the "why" behind neurological and emotional challenges. Sean advocates for a strengths-based approach to ADHD, reframing it not as a deficit, but as a different way of processing the world. He emphasizes that for individuals with ADHD, life is often a cycle of high and low stimulation, leading to impulsive or reactive behaviors when the brain is seeking balance. Key Takeaways Functional Disconnection: ADHD is often more than just a single diagnosis; it is frequently a mix of traits like dyslexia, dyspraxia, or OCD, suggesting an imbalance in how the brain's layers communicate. The Power of Routine: Individuals with ADHD often struggle with time blindness—living only in the "now" or "not now." External structures, like a physical diary rather than a digital one, provide the "certainty" the nervous system needs to feel safe. Co-Regulation: A child’s nervous system often mirrors their parent's. Sean suggests that parents must first regulate their own stress to effectively "co-regulate" and calm their child. The "Defender" Analogy: Much like a car needing a proper parking space, the tongue needs a wide palate to rest correctly. If the "parking space" is too small, it can lead to mouth breathing, which affects oxygen flow and brain function. Actionable Strategies for the Home Digital Detox: back-lit screens and vertical scrolling trigger dopamine releases that can "shut off" the prefrontal cortex, leading to meltdowns. Sean recommends a strict 2-hour screen-free window before bedtime. Nose Breathing: Encourage nose breathing over mouth breathing to ensure proper oxygenation and to prevent "over-breathing," which can keep the body in a state of stress. Supportive "No": Set clear boundaries with compassion. Children with ADHD crave boundaries to know where "the end" is, even if they test them frequently. Sean McNicholas Links https://www.instagram.com/theadhdexpert_/ https://www.newmetherapy.com/adhdtherapy 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/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
    Show More Show Less
    43 mins
  • The Airway Connection: How Your Child’s Mouth Shapes Their Brain With Dr Gabor Hermann

    The Airway Connection: How Your Child’s Mouth Shapes Their Brain With Dr Gabor Hermann
    Feb 27 2026
    Ever wonder why so many children today struggle with narrow smiles, restless sleep, or even focus issues? We’re sitting down with Dr. Gabor Hermann to explore why orthodontics is actually a "brain-first" specialty. Moving past the idea that braces are just for aesthetics, Gabor explains how the way a child breathes and swallows today dictates their neurological health tomorrow. We dive into the "stimulus" of early development from the muscle work of breastfeeding to the importance of chewing tough foods and how a lack of this stimulus is leading to a silent epidemic of narrow palates and restricted airways. This episode is a roadmap for parents who want to understand the "why" behind crooked teeth and how to ensure their child has the structural foundation to breathe, sleep, and grow into their full potential. Key Takeaways The Teeth are the Symptom: Crooked teeth are rarely the primary problem; they are a sign that the jaw and palate didn't have the space or "stimulus" to grow correctly. Airway is Priority #1: A narrow mouth often means a narrow airway. If a child's brain isn't getting enough oxygen during sleep, it can't develop or regulate emotions properly. The Tongue’s Critical Role: The tongue is the natural "expander" of the mouth. If it rests low (due to a tie or mouth breathing), the jaw will not develop wide enough. Early Intervention Matters: Modern soft diets lack the "chewing stimulus" needed for jaw growth; introducing texture and addressing mouth breathing early can prevent complex issues later. Collaborative Care: True healing requires a "team" approach, often involving orthodontists, ENTs, and therapists to fix the root cause of functional issues. 5 Featured Quotes "The teeth you see are a symptom of something else... the teeth move for a reason." "Compensation is the tax you pay when prevention fails." "What's the point of putting beautiful teeth on someone if they can't breathe?" "The brain is the biggest organ that grows first... and the biggest thing a brain needs to grow is oxygen." "It all starts with function: Lips, tongue, breathing. These three things create the foundation." Dr Gabor Hermann Links https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabor-hermann-orthodontist/ https://hermannortho.hu/en/hermannortho-english/ 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/⁠⁠⁠⁠
    Show More Show Less
    50 mins
  • Neuroplasticity Explained: Can the Brain Truly Heal at Any Age?

    Neuroplasticity Explained: Can the Brain Truly Heal at Any Age?
    Feb 20 2026
    Ever been told that a diagnosis is a life sentence or that the brain stops changing after childhood? Dr. Michael Longyear is here to challenge that "new normal." After a catastrophic injury left him paralysed, Michael used the very principles of functional neurology to walk again—and now he’s helping families do the same. We dive into the groundbreaking world of neuroplasticity, exploring how the brain can rewire and heal regardless of age or previous limitations. From understanding how "limbic loops" keep us stuck in cycles of chronic pain and anxiety to the power of the stories we tell ourselves, this conversation is a blueprint for possibility. If you’re searching for a way to move past labels like ADHD or developmental delay and want to tap into the actual biology of healing, this deep dive into the resilient human nervous system is exactly what you need. Key Takeaways A Diagnosis is Information, Not a Identity: A clinical label describes a current state; it does not dictate the future potential of a child’s developing brain. Neuroplasticity is Lifelong: The myth that the brain is "fixed" after childhood is debunked; the nervous system remains capable of change and adaptation throughout life. Breaking the Limbic Loop: Chronic issues—whether physical pain or emotional trauma—are often stored in "loops" that require specific neurological stimulus to break. The Power of Narrative: The stories we believe about our health and our children’s capabilities physically influence our neurology and recovery outcomes. The "Bottom-Up" Approach: Lasting change requires addressing the foundational levels of the nervous system before expecting higher-level cognitive or behavioural shifts. Dr Michael Longyear Links https://www.drmichaellongyear.com/ @drmichaellongyear, https://brainoi.com 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/⁠⁠⁠
    Show More Show Less
    43 mins
No reviews yet