Blog
Usha Patel, Neurocognitive Therapist and Director of Raviv Practice London shares her first-hand experience of working with children /adults and the latest research and upcoming events in her series of blog posts.
Bridget Jones: Mad about the boy (an ADHDer?)
Is Bridget Jones just disorganised, or does her chaos reflect something deeper? Watching "Mad About the Boy" through the eyes of a neurocognitive therapist reveals telltale signs of undiagnosed ADHD that many women live with every day.
Will my daughter grow out of her dyslexia and dysgraphia diagnosis?
Many parents ask if children diagnosed with dyslexia and dysgraphia will eventually outgrow these learning differences. While these conditions don’t disappear, early intervention, therapy, and assistive technologies can help children build skills, adapt, and thrive through school and beyond.
Interactive metronome: frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Interactive Metronome (IM) is an evidence-based programme that trains the brain's internal timing system to improve attention, coordination, and self-regulation.
Does your child use both hands on the handrail when climbing up or down the stairs?
If your child climbs stairs using both hands on the rail or shows clumsy movement, it may point to retained reflexes or missed developmental stages. Discover why this happens and how to support smooth, confident movement.
Is striving for perfection something children should avoid?
In an early conversation with the father of one of my students, he mentioned that his son, James, always wanted things to be perfect. Perfectionism was a crippling trait for James, who suffered from several co-existing conditions of; dyscalculia, dyslexia and developmental coordination disorder (DCD).
Why is my child always so slow at everything?
Does your child seem to do everything at half the speed of their peers? From daydreaming to struggling with handwriting or reading, slow processing speed might be to blame. Discover what’s behind the delays and how innovative tools like Interactive Metronome® can help your child catch up.
Does my child have attachment disorder?
Jake wouldn’t speak at nursery, yet was loud and demanding at home. His story reveals how early experiences, even in the womb can affect bonding and emotional safety. Discover how the Safe and Sound Protocol helped him begin to heal.
How much sleep should your child get?
Putting your child to bed doesn’t mean they’ll fall asleep right away. Discover how many hours of sleep your child actually needs, why breathing patterns matter, and how a simple bedtime technique can help them relax, breathe better, and fall asleep with ease.
How to help children with Autism and AuADHD
Autistic Spectrum Disorders can vary greatly, and children will need to be diagnosed by a medical professional. More confusing is if that child has two or more co-existing conditions such as ADHD and Autism. AuADHD is the abbreviation for an individual with both of these conditions.
Helping your child through GSCEs
Supporting your teenager through GCSEs can feel overwhelming, especially if they have neurodiverse needs. Learn how neuroscience-based programs and targeted strategies can enhance memory, focus, and exam confidence to help your child succeed.
Unlocking potential: the transformative power of working memory training
A 14-year-old student struggling academically due to working memory deficits saw remarkable improvement after COGMED training. Targeted working memory exercises help children focus, retain information, and build confidence.
What the Euros 2024 - England Vs Spain taught us about emotional brains
England’s Euros 2024 defeat highlights how strong emotions can challenge rational thinking. For children with neurodiversity, harnessing emotions positively is key to achieving their goals and building success.
How can I help my child’s handwriting improve so that it starts from the margin?
Are you looking at your child's handwriting and wondering why they cannot start each sentence from the left-hand margin when writing a line of text? Does your child's writing move further away from the margin with every sentence so the page looks like a triangle of text?
Help! My child is writing with both hands
If your child switches hands while writing or using scissors, it may signal confusion in hand dominance. Discover why mastering one hand is crucial for fine motor skills and practical ways to support your child’s development.
How to teach a child to do their own shoelaces.
Tying shoelaces can be a major milestone for children, especially those with neurodiverse challenges. Learn a simple, effective approach to help your child master this life skill and build confidence along the way.
Can dyslexia be ‘cured’ by AI?
AI tools are reshaping how we support students with dyslexia. From thought organisation to spelling correction, technologies like ChatGPT offer new ways to assist neurodivergent learners when used thoughtfully. But is it a solution or a support?
The part of lockdown they never mention
Lockdown wasn’t just missed school or screen time, it rewired children’s developing brains, making ‘home the only safe place.’ This led to anxiety, social struggles, and school refusal. But the brain’s plasticity means recovery is possible with the right support.
Can you tell if your child has dyslexia just by looking at their handwriting?
While issues with handwriting are certainly considered when it comes to diagnosing dyslexia, they are not actually key indicators themselves. Letter or number reversals can occur for a number of different reasons, and concerned parents should look elsewhere for signs of dyslexia in their children.
Theory of mind: what is it and how can you help your child?
Theory of mind helps children understand that others have different beliefs and feelings. Discover the classic Sally-Anne test, stages of development, and tips for supporting your child’s social skills and emotional growth.
Are you neurodivergent and struggle with time management?
Many individuals with dyslexia often continue to struggle because of a weak working memory, even long after good literacy skills have been established. So, in a busy work environment that is increasingly flooded with information, professionals need to stay on track, prioritise activities and overcome the constant distractions that slow productivity.