Map & Compass Neuro-Developmental Therapy

19/12/2025

Progress doesn’t always happen overnight, but steady change during the course of the INPP programme can completely reshape a child’s confidence. This parent’s words say it far better than we can.

“Last year, she was deemed unable to manage any assessment. Yesterday she completed a maths assessment and said the first half was easy and the second half was difficult, but she wasn’t phased by that.”

18/12/2025

I will always repost this blog at Christmas in the hope it gets to a parent who needs this message at this time.

How do you begin to try to explain? They mean well. Honestly, they really do. They want to wish you a happy Christmas and they want your child to enjoy the wonder and magic of it all…just like in the movies and on the billboards, and to some degree…like the Christmas they will actually have with...

16/12/2025

I can’t say enough good things about the training and mentorship I have received as a qualified INPP Licentiate. And everyday I work with clients I am more grateful for my training.

INPP practitioner training remains in person for a reason. This article by Pauline Shannon explains why hands-on, embodied learning is essential for reflex integration practice.

10/12/2025

Neurodevelopmental health begins with both mum & dad. Dad’s, you are so important to the future physical and neurological and emotional health of your child, even before they are born.

Don’t be scared by that…be excited! Pregnancy prep is something lovely to do together as a couple and a great way to truly be ready for your new arrival.

Most men assume pregnancy preparation begins after seeing a positive test. Science, however, reveals that fatherhood starts long before conception, during the 90 days when sp*rm cells are forming. These three months quietly determine the biological blueprint of the child yet to be born.

A father’s habits, sleep, stress, diet, alcohol, and daily routines, directly shape sp*rm quality and the epigenetic instructions carried to the embryo. Sp*rm does more than deliver DNA; it sends chemical messages that influence gene activation throughout life. Research shows that preconception health affects embryo strength, pregnancy stability, and risks of complications such as miscarriage or placental issues.

The impact extends beyond pregnancy. Studies link a father’s preconception of well-being to a child’s future risk of ADHD, obesity, insulin resistance, asthma, stress sensitivity, and emotional regulation difficulties. His nervous system, inflammation, and lifestyle choices leave lasting biological marks.

Men do not need perfection, only awareness. The 90-day window is fully under their control. By making conscious choices today, fathers can improve pregnancy outcomes, support embryo health, and positively shape their child’s lifelong development. Fatherhood begins well before birth, with every decision in those critical 90 days.

09/12/2025

Children Who Keep a Beat Learn to Read Better—Science Shows How

Research shows that rhythm skills in early childhood are closely tied to language and reading development. Preschoolers who can accurately clap or tap to a beat score up to 30% higher on phonological awareness and pre-reading assessments compared to peers with weaker rhythm skills (Gordon et al., 2020).

Brain studies reveal why: children with stronger rhythm abilities have sharper neural entrainment to speech sounds, meaning their brains respond more precisely to syllables and phonemes—critical for decoding words. This neural precision predicts better reading fluency and comprehension in elementary school.

In 2024, a study tested a six-week rhythm-training program in elementary children. Students who engaged in daily 20-minute rhythm games improved reading fluency by 15–20% compared to a control group, demonstrating that musical rhythm practice directly enhances literacy skills (Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience, 2024).

Reading itself is rhythmic: the brain must track speech patterns, predict upcoming sounds, and organize language into meaningful units. Children with poor rhythm processing often struggle to segment words, which is why early rhythm skills can prevent later reading difficulties.

Activities like clapping to music, tapping along with songs, or interactive rhythm games strengthen the auditory-motor pathways in the brain and improve attention, working memory, and processing speed—foundational skills for reading and language.

Sources: Journal of Experimental Child Psychology, 2024; Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience, 2021; Tierney & Kraus, 2013; Gordon et al., 2020."

05/12/2025

Beautifully said!

Parents often hear about the importance of milestones like crawling, rolling, or tummy time - but do you know why they matter so much?

Dr. Tony Ebel explains that these early movements help wire the brain for later emotional and cognitive skills. When milestones are skipped or rushed, the brain can miss vital chances to build strong connections.
Sometimes the result shows up years later as anxiety, reactivity, or difficulty focusing. Not because a child is “naughty” or “lazy” but because their brain is working under stress.

Movement-based support can give children another chance to strengthen these foundations, helping them feel calmer, more settled, and better able to learn.
(Ref: Dr. Tony Ebel, pxdocs.com, July 2025)

04/12/2025

If you are dreading the holiday dinner table, please read this. ❤️🎄

For many families, the holidays are happy and fun time. ✨
But for parents of sensitive eaters, they often signal a time of heightened stress, tears, and "refusal." 😔💛

If your child struggles at the holiday table, it is easy to feel like it’s behavioral.
But often, it is actually overload. 🧠⚡️

As we approach the festive season, and have collaborated on this post to help you understand the "why" behind the struggle. 🤝🎁

We are two separate private practices, but we often see children facing similar challenges.
By sharing our distinct expertise here, we hope to show you a broader picture: 🌿

Whatever is happening on the outside (fidgeting, leaving the table, not eating) is usually a response to what is happening on the inside: 🌀

•⁠ ⁠Neurodevelopmental Therapy (): Addressing the physical foundations—like retained reflexes—that dictate how easily a child can sit, balance, and coordinate their body as well as how they cope with hypersensitivities in taste,texture and gagging. 🧩🪑🍽️

•⁠ ⁠Paediatric Feeding & OT (): Addressing the sensory and nutritional reality—managing food textures, safe foods, and the overwhelm of the mealtime environment. 🥕👃🏽🥣

When the brain is in survival mode, eating can equal overwhelm. 🚨🍴

Swipe through to understand how our different therapeutic approaches can support your family. ➡️💙

Save this post to remind yourself that you don’t have to face eating issues alone. 📌🤍

28/11/2025

Map & Compass is INPP on the North Coast!

When a child feels calmer, more settled and more capable, the whole family feels the difference. This is why the INPP programme matters.

“The change in her is quite extraordinary and so hugely welcome… I just don’t know where to begin to say thank you. The changes are entirely remarkable.”

If this resonates and you'd like to have a chat about your child please just get in touch!

25/11/2025

Yes yes yes!!!!!

RGM offered at Map & Compass

Groups or individual sessions

See: https://www.mapandcompasstherapy.com/rgm

A 2022 review highlighted that autistic children respond best to music with a steady 4/4 beat and a moderate tempo.

That’s exactly the foundation of the Ronnie Gardiner Method – structured rhythmic patterns designed to support memory, social interaction and emotional regulation.

RGM is still new to many in the UK but it's growing in recognition and with practitioners qualifying all the time across the UK, they already seeing how rhythm-based interventions can make a meaningful difference.

https://www.ronniegardinermethod.co.uk/training check here for courses across the UK

24/11/2025

Coming in February to Derry !

Exciting to have this training coming back to this island!! Teachers book your place ✅

Did you know that a child’s physical development can directly affect their reading, writing and attention skills?

The INPP Developmental Movement Programme addresses the foundations of learning by helping children integrate essential reflexes and movement patterns.

Join us for the One-Day Teachers’ Course and learn how to bring these proven methods into your classroom.

🗓 Saturday 21 February 2026
📍 Derry/Londonderry, Northern Ireland

👉 Contact Pauline directly for further information, or click here to book: https://bookwhen.com/inpp-uk/e/ev-sqmg-20260221100000