While the exact causes of ADHD are complex and multifaceted, research suggests that certain dietary factors, including food additives, might influence ADHD symptoms in some individuals. In particular, some E numbers, the codes assigned to food additives in the European Union, have been implicated in exacerbating ADHD symptoms. Let's delve into which E numbers may potentially affect ADHD and how you can navigate them in your diet.

Sleep is another essential pillar because of its impact on the structure and function of the brain. It is well understood that sufficient sleep is a necessity when maintaining a healthy lifestyle, but did you know that the magnitude of our neuroplasticity, cognitive functioning, learning, and memory is partially dependent on the quality and quantity of sleep?

In an era where children's mental and physical health has taken center stage, understanding the role of the vagus nerve, or the tenth cranial nerve, becomes paramount. As a crucial component of the parasympathetic nervous system, it influences vital functions such as mood, immune response, digestion, and heart rate.

Sarah Warley, Founder of The Key Clinic, along with Cynthia de Maria, Senior Biomedical Practitioner, led the penultimate webinar in the Duke's Club Neurodiversity series. The session commenced with an examination of ADHD's signs and symptoms.

Emerging neuroscientific research underscores the pivotal role of understanding the 'body-brain' connection in children's emotional regulation. This blog delves into the essence of co-regulation and the importance of recognising emotional dysregulation as a signal of deeper needs. Through the lens of Dr. Delahooke's work and our clinic's comprehensive strategies, we explore innovative ways to support children in navigating their emotional landscapes.

This week we enter into Neurodiversity Awareness Week - a global initiative created by Siena Castellon, that challenges stereotypes and misconceptions surrounding neurological differences. This week serves as a reminder to embrace and celebrate the unique talents and perspectives of neurodivergent individuals while fostering an inclusive culture of acceptance and understanding.

Ways to build good habits, break bad ones and the neural mechanisms that underlie habit formation. These methods can be incorporated into developing good eating habits and ways to encourage healthier eating within your family. The brain’s propensity for neuroplasticity is heavily influenced by our diet and there are certain foods and diets that enhance brain function and encourage neuroplasticity.

Last week, Sarah Warley, founder of The Key Clinic continued her Neurodiversity series for the Dukes Club, discussing the topic of ‘Dyslexia’ alongside colleagues Katy Oatridge, Senior Neurodevelopmental Practitioner, and Anna Trundle, Supervising HCPC Registered OT. Beginning with a definition and explanation of dyslexia, Katy gave some examples of some of the benefits of being dyslexic, such as being good at problem solving and being creative. She gave examples of well-known high profile successful people with dyslexia, including Richard Branson who said he didn't think he’d be where he is without dyslexia.

Did you know that 70% of our waking behaviour is made up of habitual behaviour?

This means that everything we do on a daily basis from brushing our teeth first thing in the morning to scrolling on our phone last thing at night is a learnt habit. But what exactly are habits? How do we form them and is there a way to break bad ones? This blog will offer ways to form new, desired habits to encourage a bad-habit-free atmosphere in your home. 

Henry's journey with The Key Clinic has been a transformative experience, marked by significant milestones and profound improvements in his neurodevelopmental and auditory capabilities. Following the completion of his final neuro assessment and a course of auditory therapy in April '23, the changes in Henry have been nothing short of remarkable.

The series celebrates the vast diversity of brain functions and aims to deepen our understanding of various neurodiverse conditions. The first episode, focusing on Autism/ASD, is set to dispel myths and highlight the unique strengths and challenges faced by individuals, led by Sarah Warley, the founder of The Key Clinic, and Dr. Alexander Davidson.

There is a a significant connection between our diet, gut microbiome, and mental well-being. The brain-gut axis serves as a two-way communication channel, where gut health directly influences mood and cognition. Imbalances in gut bacteria, known as gut-dysbiosis, are linked to neurological conditions and mood disorders. Common dietary culprits like sugar, gluten, and dairy can trigger gut inflammation and dysbiosis, further impacting mental health.

12 ways in which to boost your Vagus Nerve - so you and your family can - to the best of their ability rest, digest and relax at Christmas! (A period of time which we know can be stressful and exacerbated by more sugar, screens and other tensions.

After completing auditory therapy (BrightBeatz) at The Key Clinic, we advise maintaining the fine-tuned hearing ability. Everyday factors like loud noises, ear infections, and earbud use can impact hearing. For children who enjoy gaming and music, we recommend volume-limiting headphones, which emit sounds only up to 85db. Regular headphones can reach up to 115db. Setting limits and taking breaks from headphone use are also crucial for protecting hearing.

This blog incorporates the specific impact of Pyrrole Disorder on vitamin B6, magnesium, and zinc absorption, underlining the necessity of a comprehensive diagnostic and therapeutic approach in the context of biochemistry and stress-related conditions.

Have you ever wondered why identical twins, with the exact same DNA, can have different personalities, tastes, and even health conditions? Or why certain illnesses run in families, but aren't directly linked to our DNA? The answer lies in a fascinating field of science called epigenetics. In this blog, we'll explore epigenetics in a way that's easy to understand for both adults and children. Let's embark on a journey to unlock the secrets of our genes!

Excessive screen time has been linked to ocular strain and fatigue. Implementing the '20-20-20 rule' is a scientifically-supported method to mitigate these effects. Here we offer ways to encourage less screen time over Christmas for yourselves and your children!

Ear infections are common ailments, particularly in children. While there are various causes of ear infections, a complete understanding involves considering both biomedical factors and a neurodevelopmental perspective. Let's dive into the intricacies of ear infections and the role of certain structures like the Eustachian tube.

Persistence of the ATNR into childhood and adolescence may indicate potential motor challenges. For a child engaged in various sporting activities, this could pose great difficulties and hinder their performance in the following ways…

In our digital world, it's all too common to find ourselves glued to screens for prolonged periods, subjecting our eyes to considerable strain. What if we told you there's a simple, effective tool that can provide much-needed relief and also stimulate different regions of your brain?