Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about Brainshape, our assessment process, available care options and how we work with children and families.
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Brainshape is a clinic that provides assessment and individualised care for children and families.
Our practitioners consider each child’s health history, current concerns, assessment findings and individual circumstances before discussing recommendations. Depending on the child’s presentation, care may include movement-based activities, sensory-motor approaches, chiropractic assessment and other services considered clinically appropriate.
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Families may contact Brainshape to discuss concerns relating to:
Attention or learning
Sensory experiences
Emotional regulation
Movement or coordination
Developmental history
Participation in everyday activities
Existing diagnoses, reports or assessments
These concerns do not necessarily mean that Brainshape care is required. Recommendations are made only after an individual assessment.
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An initial consultation allows you to discuss your concerns and learn more about the assessment process.
Following an individual assessment, the practitioner can explain whether Brainshape services are considered appropriate or whether another suitably qualified health professional may be better placed to assist.
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No. Families can contact Brainshape directly to request information or arrange an initial consultation.
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Brainshape primarily works with children and adolescents. The assessment process and any recommendations are adapted to the individual’s age, presentation and circumstances.
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Yes. Where appropriate, Brainshape may work alongside other health and education professionals involved in a child’s care, such as GPs, paediatricians, psychologists, occupational therapists, speech pathologists and educators.
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Brainshape takes an individualised, assessment-led approach. Practitioners consider each child’s history, current concerns and relevant assessment findings before discussing available options.
No single method or program is appropriate for every child.
General Question
Neurodevelopment & Brain Function
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Neurodevelopment refers to the way the brain and nervous system develop throughout childhood.
It is related to many areas of everyday function, including movement, learning, communication, attention and behaviour.
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We recommend avoiding these terms because they can suggest a diagnosis or neurological problem without appropriate assessment.
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Families may seek an assessment when they have concerns about areas such as:
Attention
Learning
Movement
Coordination
Sensory experiences
Emotional regulation
Participation in everyday activities
These concerns can have many possible causes and do not, on their own, indicate that treatment is required.
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Functional neurology is a term used in some clinical settings to describe assessment and clinical reasoning relating to neurological function.
At Brainshape, any assessment findings are considered together with the child’s history, presentation and other relevant information. They are not used in isolation to diagnose a condition.
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Neuroplasticity refers to the brain’s ability to change and adapt over time.
It is a general biological process and does not mean that a particular treatment will produce a specific neurological or developmental outcome.
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Primitive reflexes are automatic movement responses that are present during early development.
Where clinically appropriate, some practitioners may consider primitive reflexes as one part of a broader assessment of movement, coordination and developmental history.
The presence of a retained reflex does not, on its own, diagnose a condition or determine that treatment is required.
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Children continue to develop over time, and development can be influenced by many biological, environmental, educational and social factors.
The type of support that may be appropriate depends on the individual child and should be considered following appropriate assessment.
The Melillo Method
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The Melillo Method is a clinical framework developed by Dr Robert Melillo that incorporates concepts relating to movement, sensory input, coordination and child development.
Some Brainshape practitioners have completed training in this approach and may draw on elements of that training where clinically appropriate.The method is designed to identify and address under-developed brain networks that may contribute to learning, behavioural, sensory, motor, and developmental challenges.
At Brainshape, we draw upon principles from The Melillo Method while creating individualised programs tailored to each child's specific neurological profile.
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Dr Robert Melillo is an author, educator and researcher whose work has focused on functional neurology and childhood neurodevelopment.
His work forms part of the professional education undertaken by some Brainshape practitioners.
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“Brain imbalance” or “hemispheric imbalance” can be misleading when presented as a diagnosis or explanation for a child’s difficulties.
Brainshape does not use an online questionnaire or general symptom list to determine that a child has a brain imbalance.
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The term “functional disconnection” is used within some clinical frameworks, but it should not be interpreted as a diagnosis based on website content or a questionnaire.
Any clinical interpretation should be based on an individual assessment and considered alongside the child’s broader health information.
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The Melillo Method is one of several professional frameworks that may inform clinical reasoning.
Recommendations are based on the child’s individual history, assessment findings, practitioner judgement and circumstances rather than on a single method.
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No. Recommendations vary between children and depend on the individual assessment findings and clinical needs.
Assessments, Technology & Therapies
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Depending on the reason for the appointment, assessment may include:
Health and developmental history
Movement and coordination assessment
Balance assessment
Primitive reflex assessment where relevant
Vestibular assessment
QEEG recording where appropriate
Heart rate variability assessment
Timing or attention-related measures
Other clinically relevant assessment methods
Not every assessment is used for every child.
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QEEG, or Quantitative EEG, records electrical activity from the scalp.
At Brainshape, QEEG may be used as one source of information within a broader assessment where clinically appropriate.
QEEG findings are not used on their own to diagnose a condition or determine that treatment is required.
QEEG brain mapping may help identify patterns associated with attention difficulties, emotional regulation challenges, sensory processing concerns, learning struggles, and nervous system dysregulation.
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QEEG records electrical activity using sensors placed on the scalp and does not deliver electrical stimulation.
The practitioner will explain the procedure before the assessment begins.
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Depending on individual assessment findings and clinical suitability, care may include:
Photobiomodulation
Movement-based activities
Primitive reflex-related activities
Vestibular exercises
Visual or auditory activities
Rhythm and timing activities
Interactive Metronome
NeuroSage
Whole-body vibration
other approaches considered clinically appropriate. The type and frequency of care vary between individuals.
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Photobiomodulation is a light-based technology that may be considered as part of an individual care plan where clinically appropriate.
The practitioner will explain why it is being considered, what the session involves and any relevant limitations or considerations before use.
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No. PBM is not suitable or required for every child. Its use depends on the individual’s history, assessment findings and clinical suitability.
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Technology helps us gather objective information about brain and nervous system function, allowing us to create more precise, targeted, and personalised programs.
Intensive Neurodevelopment Programs
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An intensive program involves a more concentrated schedule of appointments over a defined period.
The content, frequency and duration are individualised and depend on the child’s assessment findings and clinical suitability.
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In some cases, a practitioner may consider a more frequent schedule appropriate based on the child’s individual presentation and clinical needs.
An intensive program is not recommended for every child.
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Depending on the individual care plan, an intensive may include:
Movement-based activities
Sensory-motor tasks
Balance or coordination activities
Rhythm and timing activities
other therapies or technologies considered clinically appropriate
The exact content varies between individuals.
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There is no standard timeframe, and no particular outcome can be guaranteed.
Responses to care vary between individuals and depend on many factors, including the child’s presentation, circumstances and participation in the recommended care plan.
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Following an intensive, the practitioner may review the child’s presentation and discuss whether further care, home activities, routine review or referral is appropriate.
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Home-based activities may be recommended where considered appropriate.
The practitioner will explain their purpose and how they fit within the individual care plan.
ADHD, Autism & Learning Difficulties
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Brainshape may assess and provide care to children who have an existing ADHD diagnosis.
Care is not presented as a treatment for ADHD itself. Recommendations are based on the child’s individual presentation, assessment findings and clinical needs.
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Brainshape may work with children who have an existing autism diagnosis.
Any care offered is individualised and does not replace medical, psychological, educational or allied health care that may also be appropriate.
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Families may contact Brainshape when they have concerns about learning, attention, movement or other areas of everyday function.
Brainshape does not diagnose dyslexia or learning disorders. Where appropriate, families may be advised to seek assessment from another suitably qualified professional.
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Families may discuss sensory experiences as part of the child’s history and current presentation.
Where clinically relevant, these concerns may be considered during assessment, but they do not automatically indicate that Brainshape treatment is required.
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No. Brainshape does not diagnose medical, psychological or educational conditions.
Our services are intended to work alongside other healthcare, allied health, education and support professionals where appropriate.
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No. Brainshape does not prescribe medication.
If medication or medical management needs to be discussed, families should consult an appropriately qualified medical practitioner.
If you would like to understand more about Brainshape’s assessment process, available care options or whether an initial consultation may be appropriate for your child, our team can provide general information and answer your questions.