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Lara Barnes

@braindevelopmentuk

8.3K

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1183

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✨ Primitive Reflex integration 👩‍⚕️Certified Melillo Method 🎓IAFNR certified Childhood Neurological Disorders 🧸Host of The Brain Development Podcast🎙️

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Working with @happyhealthyunicorn was one of the best decisions we ever made 💖
Alongside incredible practitioners like Melillo and @drkyledaiger, everything finally started to make sense.

I can’t stress enough how important diet is. 🌿 Archie’s whole system was stuck in stress mode — his body and nervous system simply couldn’t function properly.
His stool testing showed significant inflammation, and when you understand how closely the gut and brain are linked, it’s no surprise he was struggling.

Once we removed the inflammatory foods and spent time inhibiting his retained primitive reflexes, his body began to heal. And when the body heals, the brain can finally do what it’s meant to do ✨

This journey changed our lives so deeply that I now support other mums walking this same path.
If your child has ADHD, ASD, dyslexia, dyspraxia, sensory processing challenges or speech delay, please reach out.

We are seeing amazing results in children who simply need the right support — through diet, primitive reflex integration and understanding their nervous system — so they can live as the best version of themselves.

And yes, testing reveals so much. Worth every single penny.

Huge love to Vicky at @happyhealthyunicorn 🤍

#gutbrainconnection #primitivereflexes #nervoussystemhealth #childdevelopment #healingjourney by @braindevelopmentuk

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8 months ago

This journey has been the hardest thing I’ve ever done… and also the most rewarding.

There was a time when I worried constantly. When nothing felt certain. But today, Archie is thriving. He’s free to be himself, he can express his thoughts and feelings, he’s doing well at school — and for the first time, I can breathe.

We’ve travelled far and wide, seen countless practitioners, searched for answers. And if there’s one thing I want to say — from one mum to another — it’s this: there is no magic secret.

Every child has their own capacity for healing. What matters is laying the foundations:
✨ supporting their nutrition
✨ reducing inflammation
✨ making sure primitive reflexes aren’t holding them back
✨ and helping their brain find balance

Our children are growing up in a very inflammatory world — full of toxins, processed foods, and constant overstimulation. Sometimes the most powerful thing we can do is go back to basics. Nourish their bodies, play with them, move with them, support integration, and gently help their nervous systems and brains feel safe and balanced. Add a bit of infrared light and Rezzimax in there and assist all those natural processes.

If you’re reading this and wondering whether it’s worth trying — I promise you, it is.
And if you ever feel lost or need support, please reach out. You don’t have to walk this path alone 🤍

✨ Wishing you strength and hope on your own journey ✨

#nervoussystemsupport
#speechdelay
#brainbalance
#adhd
#primitivereflexes by @braindevelopmentuk

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8 months ago

🎙️ NEW PODCAST EPISODE: Why Won’t My Child Go to School?

The morning anxiety. The battles to get dressed. The refusal to leave the house. Or the child who holds it together all day, only to completely fall apart at home.

But what if it’s not defiance or bad behaviour?

What if school is simply too overwhelming for your child to cope with?

In this episode of The Brain Development Podcast, I’m joined by Vicky Finlayson from Happy Healthy Unicorn to explore school refusal from a different perspective.

We discuss how sensory overload, nervous-system regulation, physical development, nutrition and emotional stress can all influence a child’s capacity to manage the school environment.

We also explore why a child can be exceptionally bright and academically capable, yet still struggle with the demands of everyday school life.

💡 Capability and capacity are not the same thing.

Instead of asking, “Why won’t my child go to school?” perhaps we need to ask, “What is making school so difficult for them?”

🎧 Listen to the latest episode of The Brain Development Podcast — available now on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-brain-development-podcast/id1825344229?i=1000796553738

#SchoolRefusal #EmotionallyBasedSchoolAvoidance #Neurodiversity #NervousSystemRegulation #sensoryprocessing by @braindevelopmentuk

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2 days ago

🎙️ NEW PODCAST EPISODE: Why Won’t My Child Go to School?

The morning anxiety. The battles to get dressed. The refusal to leave the house. Or the child who holds it together all day, only to completely fall apart at home.

But what if it’s not defiance or bad behaviour?

What if school is simply too overwhelming for your child to cope with?

In this episode of The Brain Development Podcast, I’m joined by Vicky Finlayson from Happy Healthy Unicorn to explore school refusal from a different perspective.

We discuss how sensory overload, nervous-system regulation, physical development, nutrition and emotional stress can all influence a child’s capacity to manage the school environment.

We also explore why a child can be exceptionally bright and academically capable, yet still struggle with the demands of everyday school life.

💡 Capability and capacity are not the same thing.

Instead of asking, “Why won’t my child go to school?” perhaps we need to ask, “What is making school so difficult for them?”

🎧 Listen to the latest episode of The Brain Development Podcast — available now on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-brain-development-podcast/id1825344229?i=1000796553738

#SchoolRefusal #EmotionallyBasedSchoolAvoidance #Neurodiversity #NervousSystemRegulation #sensoryprocessing by @braindevelopmentuk

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2 days ago

🎙️ NEW PODCAST EPISODE - Tics, Neurodiversity & the Bigger Picture

What if there’s more going on beneath the surface of your child’s symptoms?

In this episode of The Brain Development Podcast, Lara is joined by Vicki Finlayson from Happy Healthy Unicorn to explore the complex biology behind tics, neurodiversity and why we need to look beyond a diagnosis.

We discuss the importance of investigating underlying factors rather than simply accepting every symptom as part of a label.

🥦 Nutrition plays a huge part too!

Think of your child’s gut like a garden. It needs diversity, nourishment and the right environment to thrive.

Supporting gut health through nutritious foods, colourful vegetables, quality protein and reducing highly processed foods can help build a stronger foundation for overall health and development.

Listen to the full episode here:

https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-brain-development-podcast/id1825344229?i=1000793934218

#TheBrainDevelopmentPodcast #Tics #Neurodiversity #GutHealth #childdevelopment by @braindevelopmentuk

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6 days ago

Some people come into our lives by chance, and some feel like they were meant to be there. ❤️

Every now and then, we meet someone whose purpose, passion, values, and dedication feel so beautifully aligned with our own. Someone who understands not just what we are trying to do, but why we do it.

Lara is one of those people for me.

I feel incredibly grateful to have met her and to have her in my life. Our paths may have crossed through our work and shared purpose, but what makes it special is the genuine connection, mutual respect, and shared commitment to serving others.

In a world where connections can sometimes feel fleeting, meeting someone who shares the same heart, the same passion, and the same dedication is truly a gift.

Grateful for the people who remind us that we don't have to walk our purpose alone. 🌿❤️

Here’s to meaningful connections, shared purpose, and the beautiful people we meet along the way.

So grateful for you, Lara. 🤍
#TogetherWeCan #AlignedPurpose #SharedPassion #InspiringConnections #Gratitude BeautifulConnections LifeWithPurpose taken in University of Cambridge by @braindevelopmentuk

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10 days ago

Yesterday was a very special and emotional moment for me.

I had the honour of being invited to speak at the Brain, Body and Cognition International Conference, held at Cambridge University — an inspiring three-day event bringing together researchers, academics, scholars and professionals from across the field.

I presented Archie’s case study, sharing his developmental journey, the challenges we have faced and the work we have undertaken over the years, including functional neurology and primitive reflex integration.

Standing at Cambridge and sharing Archie’s story in an academic setting was quite surreal. Reflecting on where our journey began, how far he has come, and how that journey ultimately shaped the work I do today made it an incredibly emotional experience.

It was also wonderful to share the three days with @drrobertmelillo @dromerhirsh, @integratedholisticwellness @theadhdexpert_ @drcrystalmiller @developingbrains @neurovitalcoaching @thrivingkids_uk

The conference was filled with fascinating research, thoughtful discussion and the sharing of knowledge and clinical experience. Being part of those conversations alongside people whose work I respect was something I will remember for a very long time.

I left Cambridge feeling inspired, grateful and, above all, immensely proud of Archie.

A remarkable three days and a very special milestone in our journey.
#primitivereflexes #braindevelopment #neurodevelopment # by @braindevelopmentuk

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11 days ago

I’m absolutely delighted and honoured to be speaking at the Brain, Body and Cognition Conference at the University of Cambridge on 6th October.

Among the speakers will be @drrobertmelillo , whose book I discovered right at the beginning of my journey with Archie. I remember reading it at a time when I was searching for answers, understanding and hope — and it genuinely changed the way I saw the world.
@dromerhirsh and @integratedholisticwellness alongside so many other inspiring voices exploring the fascinating relationship between the brain, body and cognition will be speaking over the 3 days also.

#BrainBodyAndCognition #CambridgeUniversity #Neurodiversity #Autism #parentjourney by @braindevelopmentuk

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21 days ago

Day 2 starts and ends strong!💪 by @braindevelopmentuk

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23 days ago

💖 To all my new followers... welcome! 💖
If you’ve recently found my page and you’re wondering what Brain Development is all about, this is the perfect place to start…Join my free class tomorrow!
I’ll explain everything in a simple, practical way and show you why so many parents are finally finding answers.

Discover how hidden imbalances in a child’s developing brain can show up as learning, behavioural and emotional challenges
—and, more importantly, what you can do to help.

In this FREE masterclass, you’ll learn:

Why children may struggle with:
🧠 Anxiety
🧠 Sensory overload
🧠 Meltdowns
🧠 Focus & attention
🧠 Sleep
🧠 Behaviour
🧠 Speech & language
🧠 Gut health
🧠 Allergies & more 🧠 The role of the left and right brain in development.
🧠 How retained primitive reflexes, brain immaturity, inflammation, nervous system dysregulation and low energy can impact development.
🧠 Practical, actionable steps you can start using straight away.

Want to join? Comment “MASTERCLASS” below and I’ll send you the link to book on.

I’d love to see as many of you there as possible. If you’ve been searching for answers, this could be the start of a very different journey.
#braindevelopment #primitivereflexes #autism #adhd #speechdelay by @braindevelopmentuk

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a month ago

I talk about these systems all the time, but if you’re new here you might be wondering why they’re so important. 🧠🧠

Think of them as some of the foundations the brain and body rely on every day ❤️

If a child is struggling with attention, focus, speech, learning or regulation, I don’t just want to look at the difficulty we can see. I want to understand what might be making things harder underneath.

For example, are primitive reflexes still affecting their movement and posture? Are they constantly overwhelmed by sensory information? Are their eyes having to work incredibly hard to follow words across a page? Are they sleeping properly and breathing well at night? Are they getting the nutrition and overall support their body needs?

Because imagine trying to sit still, listen, learn, communicate and regulate your emotions when your body is already working overtime just to manage those foundations.

That’s why I believe it’s so important to check these areas rather than simply focusing on the behaviour or symptom we can see.

Sometimes the question isn’t “Why won’t my child focus?”
It’s “What is making focusing so difficult for them?” ❤️

#primitivereflexes #speechdelay #braindevelopment #children #adhd by @braindevelopmentuk

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a month ago

Another step forward for Archie 🩵

On Saturday, Archie had his new set of aligners fitted for the next 5 months, continuing to gently widen his jaw and support both his alignment and his airway.

This regular progression is so important for his future. Creating more space within the mouth and jaw isn’t just about straighter teeth — it can also help create more room for the tongue and support a healthier, more open airway.

Airway is such an important part of the bigger picture, particularly when we think about breathing, sleep and overall development.

We’ve already seen such positive changes in Archie throughout this process and I’m so excited to see how he continues to progress.

A huge thank you to Dr Steffen Decker, who has been completely amazing with Archie and such an important part of his journey. ❤️

#AirwayHealth #AirwayDentistry #AirwayOrthodontics #JawDevelopment #childdevelopment by @braindevelopmentuk

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a month ago