Melillo Method UK: what it is and where to find a practitioner.
Maybe you've read Dr Melillo's book Disconnected Kids, or someone in a parents' group mentioned it. Either way, you probably want to know what it involves, whether there's real evidence behind it, and who actually does it in the UK.
We're Adi and Dana Latter. We've been Melillo Method certified since 2022, and we run Hopeful Neuron from Mill Hill in north west London. We see families in clinic, and online across the UK.
No obligation. No diagnosis needed. Just fifteen minutes with Adi and Dana.
A message from Adi & Dana, parents and Melillo Method practitioners
- The Melillo Method is a programme of movement and sensory exercises built around a child's primitive reflexes, balance and coordination, and how the two sides of the brain work together. Families do it at home, with coaching.
- It's used with children who have autism, ADHD, sensory processing differences, dyslexia, dyspraxia and other learning or coordination difficulties. You don't need a diagnosis.
- It isn't a cure, and it doesn't replace medical care. The research is real but limited, and we go through it below.
- We're in Mill Hill, London, and we work with families across the UK online.
What is the Melillo Method?
Dr Robert Melillo developed it after years of working with children who had attention, learning, sensory and behaviour difficulties. The basic idea is that if a child's brain and body haven't developed in step with each other, you'll see it in their behaviour, but the behaviour isn't where the problem starts.
So a practitioner looks at a few specific things. Are any primitive reflexes still active when they should have faded in the first couple of years? How are the child's balance, eye movements and coordination? And do the two sides of the brain seem to be working together evenly?
From that we build a home programme: movement, balance and sensory activities, plus some advice on things like sleep. You do it with your child every day. We coach you, review it, and change it as your child changes.
What working with us looks like
Every child gets their own plan, so there's no fixed package. Most families start with a free call and then pick whichever step suits them.
A remote look at your child
The Full Picture Plan. We look at your child from home, and you get a written plan at the end.
Learn more →A Clarity Day in Mill Hill
One day at our clinic. We see your child hands on, and you leave with answers and a plan.
Learn more →An Intensive week
Our main in clinic programme. Parent coaching throughout, and three months of support after.
Learn more →The Remote Programme
The full programme online, for families anywhere in the UK or abroad.
Learn more →Who do parents come to us for?
Children and young people from 18 months to 18 years, with or without a diagnosis. Most parents have already tried a lot by the time they find us.
Autism
Meltdowns, shutdowns and sensory overload.
ADHD
Focus, impulsiveness and big emotions.
Sensory processing
Noise, textures, clothing labels, food.
Learning and SEN
Dyslexia, dyspraxia and learning difficulties.
Movement and balance
Clumsiness, low muscle tone, late milestones.
Not sure where you fit?
See everyone we support, or take the free quiz.
Is the Melillo Method backed by research?
Some, but not as much as we'd like, and it helps to know how to read it.
There are published studies on retained primitive reflexes and on the Melillo Method, including in children with autism and ADHD. Several report that children's reflex scores improve alongside their scores on learning and cognitive tests.
Two caveats. A good share of that research comes from Dr Melillo and people who work closely with him. And the authors of a recent paper say themselves that their data can't show the reflex changes caused the improvements. Bigger studies from independent teams would settle it better.
So we don't call it a cure, and we don't promise outcomes. Keep your GP, paediatrician and therapists in the loop. If you want the detail, our science page lists the papers.
How to find a Melillo Method practitioner near you
It's worth asking a few questions of anyone you speak to, us included:
- Where and when did you train and certify in the Melillo Method?
- How will you work with my child's GP, OT, speech therapist and school?
- What will you look at first, and how will we know if it's working?
- What can't you promise? When would you send us elsewhere?
- What will it cost in total, and what does that include?
Parents first, practitioners second
Our older son didn't speak until he was five, and we spent years trying to understand why. We've worked in developmental therapies for over 20 years since, and became Melillo Method certified in 2022.
We know what it's like to be up at midnight searching for answers. That's the reason we do this the way we do. Read our story →
In parents' own words.
"After an intensive week with Dana and Adi, we saw improvement in our son's behaviour. He is calmer now, his focus has improved and his sleep has improved."
"Dana and Adi are a great team, incredibly knowledgeable and supportive. They always found a way to help our son and gave us the strength to do the same at home."
"Adi and Dana explained things in a way that finally made sense. We understood why, not just what to do."
Questions parents ask about the Melillo Method
What happens on the free call?
You tell us what's going on
Just tell us what you're seeing and what you've already tried. No forms first.
We tell you what we think
In plain language. If we think you should see a doctor or specialist first, we'll say so.
You decide, no pressure
If it's a fit, we'll talk next steps. If not, we'll tell you that too.
Book a free 15 minute call with Adi & Dana.
No waiting list, no diagnosis needed, and no pressure to commit to anything. Just a straight conversation with two people who've been where you are.
Keep reading.
Primitive reflexes explained →
The six reflexes we look at most.
The science behind what we do →
The tools we use, and the research behind them.
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.
Intensive training →
Our in clinic programme in Mill Hill.
This page is general information for parents. It is not medical advice and it does not replace advice from your GP, health visitor, paediatrician or other health professional.
