Better focus and attention
Families describe: finishing homework without a meltdown
We work on the brain and body groundwork behind attention. The aim is that staying on task, following instructions and coping with school gets easier.
Melillo Method Certified · Mill Hill, London · Remote Worldwide
Intensive therapy for autism and ADHD in London. Your child isn't broken. Their nervous system needs support.
Weekly sessions can help, and sometimes they stall. The intensive is a block of five to seven days with us in Mill Hill, with you in the room learning how to keep it going at home. It's for children with autism, ADHD, sensory processing difficulties and learning challenges.
If you're reading this, you've probably tried a lot already, and it hasn't gone the way you hoped. That's not because you didn't try hard enough. Most support starts with the behaviour. We start with the nervous system.
AutismADHDSensoryLearningNo diagnosis neededNo waiting list
No obligation. Just fifteen minutes with Adi and Dana.
1000+ Families Helped • 5★ Parent Reviews • Families in 15+ Countries • No Diagnosis Needed
An intensive therapy session in our Mill Hill clinic
The short version
- The intensive is five to seven days in our Mill Hill clinic, with you in the room learning the home plan. It costs £3,000 and includes three months of support afterwards.
- It's for children with autism, ADHD, sensory processing difficulties and learning challenges, from around age 3 to teenagers. You don't need a diagnosis.
- It works alongside OT, speech therapy and NHS care, not instead of them.
- We can't promise particular results. Many parents notice something in the first week or two, and deeper change builds over the weeks that follow.
The programme
What is an intensive therapy programme for autism and ADHD?
It's a concentrated block of therapy for children with autism, ADHD, sensory processing difficulties and learning challenges. Rather than weekly sessions that inch along, your child spends several days in a row working on the same things, and you learn how to carry it on at home. We run it in our Mill Hill clinic, and online for families who can't get to London.
Intensive Programme
£3,000
What's included
- A full look at your child's nervous system, primitive reflexes and how their brain and body work together, before we start anything
- A programme built around your child, not a standard plan
- Sessions across the week in clinic with Adi and Dana, who are both Melillo Method certified
- A home plan, plus three months of hands on support while you put it into practice
What the three months of support means
After the week, we stay in touch while you put the home plan into practice: the exercises, the routines, the small daily changes. It isn't a clinical review of your child's development. Weeks two and three are usually the hardest, when the first burst of energy fades and real life gets in the way.
If you'd like your child's progress reviewed on a set schedule, our Posture Wellness programme does that, with a clinical review every 6 weeks across the year. Some families use both.
Find out if this is the right next step →
Book a free 15 minute call with Adi or Dana and tell us what's going on. We'll say straight away whether we think this makes sense for your family right now.
✓ No diagnosis required✓ London clinic and online✓ 1000+ families helped
Not sure about a whole week yet? You can start smaller, with a remote look at your child or a Clarity Day in Mill Hill.
★★★★★
"Even after completing the Intensive week they continued supporting us, answering any concerns with confidence and care."
Faranak Barabhuiya
London
Is it right for your child?
Does any of this sound like your house?
You don't need a diagnosis. Plenty of families come to us while they're still on an NHS waiting list, or because they know something isn't right and nobody's explained what. If your child is struggling day to day, that's reason enough to get in touch. You can read more on autism, ADHD, sensory processing and SEN support.
Can't sit still or stay focused long enough for a lesson, a meal or a piece of homework.
Reactions that seem out of proportion. Meltdowns that come from nowhere and take ages to settle.
Struggles to say what they need or how they feel. Speech that's there one minute and gone under pressure.
Reading, writing or maths takes far more effort than it should. Clearly capable, but can't show it on paper.
Overwhelmed by sounds, textures, clothing labels or certain foods. Things other children barely notice.
Clumsy or unsteady, with poor balance. Falls over more than other children and avoids sport.
Getting dressed, leaving the house, switching activities. Every day feels like a battle.
If that sounds like your house, you're in the right place. This is for your child, and for you as the parent carrying it all too. Have a younger child who's late with movement? See our guide to baby and toddler motor delay.
No diagnosis needed, and it isn't instead of OT or speech therapy. We work alongside the people already supporting your child.
Why this is different
The usual route, or working with us.
Most approaches work on what you can see: behaviour, skills, symptoms. We work on what sits behind them, the nervous system.
The usual route
- Months on NHS waiting lists
- Weekly sessions, slow progress
- Managing symptoms, not causes
- Left guessing what to do at home
With us
- No referral needed, no waiting list
- We look at why, not just what
- Progress you can see at home
- You leave knowing what to do, and why
Why families choose us
You know your child. We know where to look.
Every family that gets in touch has already been through a lot. This is what working with us looks like.
Personalised programmes
No two children get the same plan. Every programme is built around your child, their history and what your family is dealing with right now.
Parent led support and coaching
You're in the room for every decision. We coach you through the home exercises so progress keeps going long after the intensive week ends.
Whole child approach
We don't just target one behaviour. We look at sleep, movement, emotions, focus and communication together, because in real life they're never separate.
In person Intensive Training
Hands on, in clinic sessions in Mill Hill, London, for families who want to work with us face to face.
Remote programmes worldwide
Full support from home, wherever you are. Families in the US, Australia, Israel and across Europe get the same level of care.
When weekly therapy has stalled
Why an intensive week can help when weekly therapy has stalled
This is the question most parents arrive with. You've done OT, speech therapy, a sensory diet, maybe weekly behaviour sessions. Things improved for a while, then stopped. Those approaches aren't wrong. They mostly work on behaviours and skills, and they don't always reach what might be driving them.
OT or speech therapy that helped, then stalled
Working on motor skills or speech by themselves doesn't always explain why those things are hard in the first place.
Sensory strategies that only work sometimes
A sensory diet helps with overload in the moment. It doesn't change how quickly your child gets overloaded.
A long wait, and a child who's struggling now
An NHS wait for a diagnosis can run to two or three years. Your child can't wait that long for support.
A report full of recommendations and no plan
You're told what your child has, but rarely shown what to do about it, or how to keep going at home.
We use the Melillo Method, which works on the nervous system and on primitive reflexes. Some children who've plateaued on weekly therapy respond to a concentrated week of this kind of work. It's a different starting point, and it doesn't replace what you're already doing. You can read how the Melillo Method works in the UK.
What parents tell us
What can change after an intensive week?
Every child is different, and we can't promise any one outcome. These are the changes families most often tell us about in the weeks after.
Reading, writing and maths feel easier
Families describe: keeping their place on the page
We work on processing, sequencing and memory, the things learning sits on, instead of just drilling the skill.
Clearer speech and communication
Families describe: saying what they need, when they need it
Speech depends on the nervous system being settled. Children often communicate better when they're calm, so we start with the calm.
Fewer meltdowns and big emotions
Families describe: a quieter house by 6pm
The aim isn't for your child to hold it in more. It's for them to feel less overwhelmed, and to recover faster after frustration, transitions or sensory overload, instead of holding it together until they get home.
Sensory processing feels more manageable
Families describe: getting dressed without a fight over the label
The school jumper, the sock seam, certain foods. They can derail a whole morning. We work on how sensitive the nervous system is, so those things may gradually hit less hard.
Better coordination and body confidence
Families describe: joining in at PE instead of hanging back
We work on movement, balance and body awareness. When a child feels more capable in their body, confidence often follows. Children who hang back at PE may start to join in.
More independence
Families describe: a child who manages more of their own day
Getting dressed, packing a bag, moving between tasks without a battle. You can't nag your way there. We work on the self regulation and processing that independence needs.
Mornings and transitions
Families describe: leaving the house without the dread
Mornings are hard because switching gears is hard. It's dysregulation, not defiance, and it's often one of the first things parents notice changing.
In parents' words
Families tell us what changed.
★★★★★
"We'd tried everything. Within a few weeks of starting, bedtime stopped being a battle and mornings got so much easier."
Rachel M.
London · Son aged 7, ADHD
★★★★★
"Adi and Dana explained things in a way that finally made sense. We understood why, not just what to do."
Tomer & Liat S.
Remote programme · Daughter aged 9
★★★★★
"Our daughter is more settled, more confident and finally making friends at school. We wish we'd found them sooner."
Priya K.
London · Daughter aged 6, sensory processing
How it works
What the week actually looks like
We don't run every child through the same programme. We start by looking at your child properly, then build the week around what we find. Sessions are structured and friendly, and children notice when they're getting somewhere. That matters as much as the progress itself.
1
Hands on, in the room with your child
Real, physical, guided work. No worksheets and no screens. We meet your child where they are and build from there.
2
You're part of it, not watching from the side
Parent coaching is built in. You leave the week knowing what to do at home and why it matters.
3
Your child feels it working
We build sessions around things your child can succeed at. When they feel capable in the room, it carries over.
4
Nothing is looked at on its own
Posture, movement, reflexes, emotional regulation and sensory processing all affect each other, so we work on them together.
What parents gain
You're carrying a lot. We know.
Parenting a child who's struggling is exhausting in a way that's hard to explain to anyone who hasn't done it. The late night googling, the appointments that go nowhere, the worry that you're not doing enough. This programme is for you as much as it's for your child.
You know what to do, and why
You leave the week with a clear plan, the reason behind each part of it, and someone to ask when you get stuck.
Mornings, homework and bedtime can get easier
The flashpoints that drain your household may start to shift. Not because your child's suddenly different, but because you're working with their nervous system, not against it.
The hard days feel less hard
Understanding why your child reacts the way they do changes how you respond. That's good for them, and for you.
A house that feels like it's moving forward
Less tension and more connection. Not every day, but enough days that it starts to feel different.
Real stories
In their own words.
Parents who've been through the programme say it better than we can.
★★★★★
"Dana and Adi are a great team, incredibly knowledgeable and supportive. Even after completing the Intensive week they continued supporting us, answering any concerns with confidence and care. They always found a way to help our son and gave us the strength to do the same at home."
Faranak Barabhuiya
London
★★★★★
"After an intensive week of functional therapy with Dana and Adi, and implementing everything we learned at home, we saw improvement in our son's behaviour. He is calmer now, his focus has improved, he's exploring everything around the house which he wasn't doing before, and his sleep has improved."
Niko & Sanja Apostoloski
London · Son aged 4, autism
★★★★★
"Very caring and truly have your best interests at heart. Check ins from Dana help to keep you focused with working on programmes at home and they are always there with support and any extra questions. Highly recommend."
Holly C.
UK
Our approach
The thinking behind the programme
This is the order we work in.
1
Regulation
Help the nervous system feel safe, so your child isn't stuck in fight, flight or shutdown.
2
Movement
Build balance, coordination and body awareness, the physical groundwork the brain relies on.
3
Reflexes
Help early automatic reflexes finish switching off, so they stop getting in the way.
4
Learning & Communication
Focus, language and independence have a better chance to land once the groundwork is there.
The programme is built on the Melillo Method and on posturology, two approaches that work on primitive reflex integration, how the two sides of the brain work together, and nervous system regulation. Reflexes that never fully switched off can show up as poor coordination, fidgeting or trouble staying seated. Those aren't character flaws or laziness. They're patterns in the nervous system, and that's where we work.
The bigger reason parents trust us is simpler than the method. We're parents of children who struggled, and we know what the waiting feels like. Read about Adi and Dana and why we started Hopeful Neuron.
Want to understand the approach before you commit to anything? Take our free primitive reflexes course, read the guide to primitive reflexes, or see the Melillo Method in the UK.
1000+Families supported
5★Parent reviews
5 to 7Days in the intensive
3 monthsOf hands on support after
Common questions
Questions parents ask before starting an intensive
You want to be sure it's the right thing before you pick up the phone. These are the questions we hear most.
Getting started
Does my child need an ADHD or autism diagnosis to start?
No. Plenty of families come to us while they're still going through the diagnosis process, or sitting on a two year NHS waiting list. If you're worried about your child, that's reason enough to get in touch.
What age children does the programme work with?
We work with children from around age 3 through to teenagers. A 4 year old and a 14 year old get quite different weeks. The nervous system work is similar, but how we do it in the room, what we ask of the child and what we ask of you all change. There's also a strand for older students dealing with concentration and learning pressure around exams.
Can we do the programme if we don't live in London?
Yes. Many of our families have never been to the Mill Hill clinic. Families also travel to us from across the UK and Europe, often for a one week Intensive stay, then carry on with remote support at home. The remote programme is the full programme, not a cut down version. We have pages for Leeds, Manchester, Bristol, Edinburgh and Glasgow too.
Cost and how it works
How much does the intensive programme cost?
The intensive programme costs £3,000. That includes a full look at your child before we start, the week in clinic with Adi and Dana, a home plan, and three months of hands on support afterwards. If you'd like to start smaller, you can begin with a remote look at your child or a Clarity Day. We'll go through anything you're unsure about on the free call.
How quickly will we see results?
It varies, and we'd rather not give you a number that sounds good. Many parents notice something within the first week or two, often around focus, following instructions or emotions. Deeper changes build over the weeks after, as your child practises the home programme. Some families see quick shifts and others see slower, steadier progress. We can't promise a particular outcome, but once we've met your child we'll tell you what we'd expect.
How is this different from occupational therapy or speech therapy?
We're not a replacement for OT or speech therapy, and we'd never say that. Both are valuable, and plenty of our families use them alongside us. The difference is where we start. OT works on what a child can do with their body. Speech therapy works on language and communication. We look at why those things are hard at the nervous system level. Some families find it fits well alongside what they're already doing.
Is intensive therapy suitable for non verbal children with autism?
Yes. Our approach doesn't depend on speech. We work with children across the whole autism spectrum, including children who don't use words, and we adapt everything to how your child communicates. More on autism support.
Is this suitable for children with low muscle tone?
Yes, and we see it fairly often. Low muscle tone can have a medical cause, so please have it looked at by a doctor first. Alongside that, it can improve as focus, coordination and emotional regulation develop, because they're more connected than most people realise. We'll tell you what we'd expect for your child. For younger children, see our guide to baby and toddler motor delay.
Support and logistics
What support do we get once the intensive week is done?
You get three months of hands on support while you put your child's home programme into practice. It isn't a clinical review of your child's development. We work alongside you while the new routine settles into daily life: checking in, troubleshooting and adjusting the exercises as your child responds. If you also want progress reviewed on a set schedule, our Posture Wellness programme does that, with a clinical review every 6 weeks across the year. Some families use both.
How long does the intensive programme last?
The intensive itself runs for five to seven days, depending on your child. After that we support you for three months while you put the home programme into practice. That second part is where a lot of the change beds in.
Do parents need to be involved in the sessions?
Yes, and it isn't optional. You're not dropping your child off and hoping for the best. Parent coaching runs through the whole programme from day one, because home is where most of the real change happens. We need you to understand what we're doing and why, not just watch it happen.
Before you book
What happens on the free call?
1
You tell us what's going on
No forms first. Just tell us what you're seeing at home and at school.
2
We tell you what we think
In plain language, based on what you've told us and over 20 years of experience.
3
You decide, no pressure
If it's a fit, we'll talk next steps. If not, we'll say so.
Still not sure?
Let's talk it through.
Book a free 15 minute call with Adi or Dana and tell us what's going on. We'll ask a few questions and say what we think, including whether this is the right step for your family right now. No pressure either way. We're in Mill Hill, London, and we work with families across the UK, Europe and online worldwide.
1A Hall Lane, Mill Hill, London NW4 4TJ · Remote support worldwide · Mon to Sat, 9am to 2pm
Go deeper
Keep reading
The Melillo Method in the UK →
What it is, and how to find a practitioner.
Primitive reflexes explained →
The six reflexes we look at most.
Baby and toddler motor delay →
Late to walk or move? Where to start.
Neurofeedback for children →
What it is, and what the research says.
Autism support →
Nervous system support, not just behaviour management.
ADHD support →
Why sticker charts only get you so far.
