The Brain Development Podcast

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://thehappyhealthyunicorn.com/] ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thehappyhealthyunicorn⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/thehappyhealthyunicorn] SOCIAL/IMPORTANT LINKS ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@braindevelopmentuk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@braindevelopmentuk] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/braindevelopmentuk/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@braindevelopmentuk] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/larakelly/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@braindevelopmentuk] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https:/www.braindevelopment.co.uk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@braindevelopmentuk] 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/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/]

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.tiktok.com/@braindevelopmentuk] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/braindevelopmentuk/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@braindevelopmentuk] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/larakelly/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@braindevelopmentuk] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https:/www.braindevelopment.co.uk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@braindevelopmentuk] 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/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/]

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://thehappyhealthyunicorn.com/] ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thehappyhealthyunicorn⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/thehappyhealthyunicorn] SOCIAL/IMPORTANT LINKS ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@braindevelopmentuk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@braindevelopmentuk] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/braindevelopmentuk/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@braindevelopmentuk] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/larakelly/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@braindevelopmentuk] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https:/www.braindevelopment.co.uk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@braindevelopmentuk] 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/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/]

From Survival to Success: The 8 Core Principles of Neuro-Education

If you’ve ever watched a child struggle with simple coordination or seen a classroom of students unable to settle, this episode is for you. We are joined by Laura Weatherly, a neuro-educator with over 35 years of experience , to discuss her transformative "8 Core Principles" for brain development. Laura shares how she uses specific movements—like scissor jacks and planking—to settle even the most disruptive classrooms by addressing the brain from the bottom up. We dive into the critical importance of nasal breathing for oxygenating the brain and why "yawning" during work is actually a sign of a hard-working nervous system. From reducing primitive reflexes to the power of singing for the vagal nerve , this conversation is packed with zero-cost, high-impact strategies. Whether you are a parent or an educator, you’ll learn how to stop simply "modifying" a child's environment and start building the neural connections they need to thrive. Key Takeaways * The 8 Pillars of Potential: Success relies on managing the mind, nurturing the body, reducing reflexes, building muscle, timing, balancing senses, boosting hemispheres, and creating connections. * Intensity Over Modification: Continuously teaching only to a child's strengths can create "learned helplessness"; the brain requires intensity and saturation to grow new connections. * Movement Settles the Mind: Specific exercises like scissor jacks and planking provide the neurological input needed to settle a dysregulated classroom or home environment. * The Nasal Breathing Connection: Mouth breathing leads to oxygen deprivation and a lack of nitric oxide, which can result in symptoms frequently misdiagnosed as ADHD. * Stacking for Success: Combining sensory input—such as specific smells, music, and vibration—with physical reflex work provides the "stacking" effect necessary for rapid brain development. Timestamps 00:00 – Meet Laura Weatherly: 35 years of neuro-education and the journey from special needs teacher to neuro-educator. 05:40 – The Grade 5 Transformation: How four specific exercises settled a disruptive class more than "fresh air" ever could. 08:20 – Principles 1 & 2: Managing the mind by catching negative thoughts and nurturing the body through hydration and oxygenation. 13:14 – The ADHD & Nasal Breathing Connection: How mouth breathing affects focus and teeth alignment. 15:55 – Why Crawling is the Ultimate Brain Builder: The danger of skipping milestones and its effect on eye tracking. 21:10 – Duck and Pigeon Walks: A simple parent’s test to identify if primitive reflexes are still active. 26:10 – Building Grit and Core Strength: Why even athletic kids might be missing the foundational muscle needed for learning. 29:46 – Timing is Everything: Improving the brain's "timing belt" through rhythm games and music. 39:20 – Vision vs. Acuity: The heartbreak of "functional" visual struggles that standard eye tests miss. 46:00 – Stacking the Senses: How using smell, sound, and movement together provides the input the brain needs to rewire. 52:05 – Crossing the Midline: Why figure-eights and racket sports are essential for connecting the two hemispheres. Laura Weatherly Links https://ca.linkedin.com/in/laura-weatherly-b2116572 [https://ca.linkedin.com/in/laura-weatherly-b2116572] SOCIAL/IMPORTANT LINKS ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@braindevelopmentuk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@braindevelopmentuk] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/braindevelopmentuk/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@braindevelopmentuk] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/larakelly/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@braindevelopmentuk] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https:/www.braindevelopment.co.uk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@braindevelopmentuk] 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/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/]

From Regression to Connection: A True Story of Hope! Phil and Sarahs Story

Ever felt like you’re digging through the dark trying to find a way to help your child thrive? This episode is a lighthouse for any parent navigating the complexities of neurodiversity. We sit down with Phil and Sarah, who share the raw and beautiful story of their son, Edward. After a sudden regression at age two, they found themselves in a world of unanswered questions and sensory meltdowns. Through a dedicated focus on gut health, reflex integration, and—most importantly—a shift in how they look at and adore their son, they have witnessed a monumental transformation. From the "trivial" win of a calm supermarket trip to the deep joy of "happy flaps," this conversation explores how accepting a child exactly where they are is often the strongest foundation for healing. It’s a story of persistence, the importance of the gut microbiome, and the life-changing power of unconditional love. Key Takeaways Acceptance is a Catalyst: Meeting a child where they are in the moment reduces internal stress and provides a safer platform for neurological progress. Gut Health Drives Behaviour: Removing inflammatory triggers like gluten and dairy can eliminate life-limiting symptoms and improve cognitive clarity. Revisiting Developmental Reflexes: Addressing "unfired" infant reflexes can help settle the nervous system and improve oral and motor functions. Stimming as Regulation: Stimming is a vital tool for self-regulation; accepting these behaviours rather than suppressing them reduces a child's overall stress. The Journey is Layered: Healing is not an overnight fix but a gradual process of "chipping away" at biological and environmental layers over time. Direct Quotes "How you guys love and adore him... has been monumentally life-changing in terms of his healing path and his trajectory." "Edward doesn't need to be cured. He just needs to be able to regulate himself a lot better." "We’re not trying to stamp out neurodiversity... The goal is just to help children to get healthy." "It completely altered the way he was able to process things and cope." "We’ve lost the concern or anxiety that comes with parenting... giving him that environment where he feels safe, happy, comfortable." Timestamps 00:00 – A Story of Persistence and Hope 03:46 – Spotting the First Signs of Delay 06:00 – The Light Switch: Edward’s Sudden Regression 10:03 – Navigating Sleep and Sensory Challenges 14:23 – Discovering Reflex Integration and Gut Health 21:41 – The Supermarket Win: Real-Life Progress 25:13 – The Gluten-Free Pivot: Evidence in Action 29:52 – Understanding Stims as Self-Regulation 34:06 – Happy Flaps and Inclusivity in Healing Vicky Finlayson Links ⁠⁠⁠https://thehappyhealthyunicorn.com/⁠⁠⁠ [https://thehappyhealthyunicorn.com/] ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thehappyhealthyunicorn⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/thehappyhealthyunicorn] SOCIAL/IMPORTANT LINKS ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@braindevelopmentuk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@braindevelopmentuk] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/braindevelopmentuk/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@braindevelopmentuk] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/larakelly/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@braindevelopmentuk] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https:/www.braindevelopment.co.uk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@braindevelopmentuk] 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/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/]