Brainfit Kids is our proprietary movement program that uses brain-based exercises and leading-edge digital therapeutics to optimise children’s movement, learning, and social skills. The program is based on the science of functional neurology and neuroplasticity.
Neuroplasticity describes the brain’s ability to modify and re-wire itself. Without this ability, our brains wouldn’t evolve from infancy to adulthood. Science also tells us that brain connectivity can be improved with the right exercise and stimulation.
A child’s brain develops sequentially from the ‘bottom-up’, that is, from the brainstem, primarily responsible for primitive functions such as primitive reflexes that preserve life, to the more complex functionality that occurs in the brain cortex, such as complex thought and inhibition.
Sometimes the left and right hemispheres of the brain do not develop symmetrically or in the desired pattern according to a child’s optimal ‘developmental blueprint’.
Areas of under-connected/immature development in the brain may cause poor connectivity and communication and prevent the brain from sharing information and developing well as it normally should. Other areas of the brain then, in turn, begin to become hyper-connected and dominate the brain, which may cause difficult symptoms such as anger outbursts, hyperactivity, and repetitive movements and behaviour.
Due to this difference in maturation, the child’s brain cannot connect, communicate, and share information as it normally should.
Brainfit Kids’ mission is to support children and families in our community who are struggling with neurodevelopmental challenges.
We are here to help you understand the brain’s role in health and to support your child in achieving optimal brain function so they can fully engage in their lives.
Optimum connectivity in every functional region of the brain - in both the left and right hemispheres - is crucial for achieving "whole system function." This enables efficient communication between brain networks, thus promoting balance between the two hemispheres of the brain.
Poor connectivity in this region of the frontal brain may present as:
Poor self-regulation |
Meltdowns |
Anger outbursts |
Difficulty understanding and reacting to the feelings of others |
Getting easily overwhelmed |
Difficulty managing ‘big emotions’ |
Silly or giddy behaviour.
Poor connectivity in the pre-frontal
brain may present as:
Poor focus and attention |
Poor concentration |
Poor impulse control |
Hyperactivity |
Difficulty with executive functions such as organisation, planning and motivation.
Poor connectivity in the frontal brain
may present as:
Clumsiness |
Trouble with age appropriate movement skills |
Poor coordination and balance |
Difficulty with sports and ball skills |
A preference for sedentary activities.
Poor connectivity in this region of the parietal brain may present as:
Sound sensitivity |
Touch sensitivity such as difficulty with clothing tags, seams in socks or haircuts |
Hyperactivity or movement seeking behaviour.
Poor connectivity in this region of the parietal brain may present as:
Poor attention span in the classroom |
Poor balance, coordination and body awareness.
Poor connectivity in the occipital
brain may present as:
Poor visual integration |
Poor visual learning and attention.
Poor connectivity in the temporal
brain may present as:
Difficulty with auditory processing |
Difficulty in understanding spoken
words |
Trouble with listening skills.
Poor connectivity in this region of the temporal brain may present as:
Difficulty learning and retaining new information |
Difficulty remembering verbal and non-verbal
information |
Impaired factual and
long-term memory.
Poor connectivity in the cerebellum or 'little brain' may present as:
Inability to coordinate movement and balance | Difficulty with speech, cognition and thinking.
Frequent meltdowns, angry outbursts and frustration.
Inattention, poor focus and concentration.
Poor academic performance and school refusal.
Poor eye contact and limited concentration.
Challenging social interactions and difficulty fitting in.
Poor coordination, clumsiness with brain feeling disconnected from body.
Difficulty with (or dislikes) sports, not included in sports or games.
Improved self-regulation and calmness.
Improved
concentration.
Improved learning and understanding.
Enjoyment of
school.
Improved social interaction and relationship with peers.
Improved movement patterns, coordination and feeling of connection to body.
Increased ability and willingness to participate with peers.
The Brainfit Kids program is based on the work of Dr Robert Melillo, one of the most respected specialists in childhood neurological disorders in America. In the 1990’s, Dr Melillo discovered that children presenting with learning and behavioural challenges did so because of a ‘hemispheric disconnect’ he termed ‘Functional Disconnection Syndrome’ that was related to immature development of one side of the brain. It was determined the right and left sides of the brain were not electrically balanced or synchronised.
The extremely exciting aspect about Dr Melillo’s discovery of functional disconnection syndrome is that he found hemispheric disconnect could be corrected bringing the brain back into balance. Using the Melillo Method™ we are able to identify brain imbalance and formulate a treatment plan aimed at stimulating and strengthening the weak and underactive hemisphere, bringing about brain balance and improved connectivity. Both in-clinic and home care exercises are based on the Melillo Method™ and are an essential part of helping your child achieve optimal results.
Brainfit Kids acknowledges the Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples of this nation and recognises their continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the lands on which our company is located and where we conduct our business. We pay our respects to ancestors and Elders, past and present. Brainfit Kids is committed to honouring Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ unique cultural and spiritual relationships to the land, waters and seas and their rich contribution to society.
