Frequently Asked Questions
What type of problems/difficulties do you treat?
We help children and adults with a very wide variety of difficulties such as reading and writing, slow processing issues, poor coordination and balance, poor focus and attention, people with speech delay and poor eye tracking,
The Treatments that we offer - Reflexology, Homeopathy and Mindfulness can help a range of problems such as anxiety, digestive disturbances, headaches, menstrual irregularities and stress related disorders.
What age group do you treat?
A child can start auditory therapy from 3 years old (without an audiogram), if they present areas where this may help e.g. hypersensitive hearing - it also depends on the child’s ability to sit quietly for 30 mins. Other than that, we can treat people of all ages with Auditory Integration Therapy.
From a Neuro-developmental point of view - we can usually assess a child from 6 years old, but the programme tends to work best when the child is at least 7 years old. We can treat adults as well as children - many parents have indicated that the programme could help them.
Nutritional Therapy is for any age group, we don't offer Functional Medicine but we refer on.
Do you treat more than one child from the same family?
Yes absolutely , but each person is treated individually based on their own individual assessment. There is a discount for extra family members.
Can I come for a Developmental Assessment only?
Yes, but first we would need to undertake an Initial Screening Consultation to see which assessments are necessary in the first place ( Audiogram and/or Developmental Assessment). . From there, you can decide what to do further with guidance from us.
Will you consult the GP or other professionals for a medical or personal history?
In general this is not required. However, if you have any reports that are relevant, please bring these along at the time of the assessment. Appointments at the Centre are kept strictly confidential.
What other information am I required to provide?
The Initial Screening Consultation is very thorough and we will require details of the current concerns as well as, Neuro-developmental questions, Auditory questions, Nutritional questions and pregnancy/birth details - in order to gain a thorough picture of each client.
How long do the assessments take?
The Audiogram takes about an hour , as does the Full Neuro-developmental Assessment although some children with learning difficulties may require a longer assessment time.
Will I get a written report after an assessment?
Yes, you will get a written report of the assessment results together with our recommendations for any programmes we judge might be helpful. No but we are happy for you to take notes and both Assessments include a phone clal afterwards to go through the results and ask answer any remaining questions you might have.
How long after the assessment can I start a recommended programme?
The programmes can start straight away, depending on our schedule. The programmes should be started within 6 months of the assessments, if a longer period elapses, some tests may have to be re-taken to ensure the treatment is still relevant to the client.
What does the assessment for Auditory Integration Training entail?
Where possible, an initial hearing assessment is done which includes a pure tone audiometric test, together with laterality tests. Based upon the results, an Auditory programme is created for a client, whether it be our remote audiotry programme or the inhouse Auditory Integration Training If someone is unable to communicate or complete these tests, we rely on observations and distraction tests.
How do the Programmes work?
The principal behind all our programmes is retraining the brain using appropriate, and often novel, input through one or more senses. Old less useful ways of processing are replaced by new appropriate ways of processing sensory input, thus re-balancing the senses.
How long have you been providing these programmes?
The Neuro-Balance Centre was opened in February 2020.
What research is available?
There is lots of research available - please see our research page
Are these programmes safe?
Yes, all our programmes are non-invasive and non-harmful.
Do programmes have to be repeated?
With Auditory Integration Training (AIT) improvements often continue to occur in the weeks or months following the treatment and one single programme is normally sufficient. If the audiometric test or observed behaviour indicates that further improvements can be made, a second programme may be considered, but normally not until at least 6 months has elapsed. People with autistic spectrum disorder often benefit from repeating the auditory programme. With the Neurodevelopmental Programme there is no need to repeat it.
How will you tell whether the Programmes have been successful?
You will see the changes which can range from greater ability to focus, less overwhelm, improvements in reading and writing, coordination and balance. Finding sport easier, feeling more connected and present.
What does an Auditory Integration Therapy (AIT) programme and the remote Auditory Programme entail?
Both programmes involve two half hour sessions per day with a minimum three hour interval between sessions over 10 days, either consecutively or two five-day weeks within a 12 day period.
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During each session of AIT client listens to music filtered through an Earducator, using a pair of high quality closed headphones. The Earducator machine randomly modulates the amplitude of the high and low frequencies in order to retrain the ears to hear in a more balanced way. A range of individual filters may also be used depending upon the results of the audiometric tests. With our remote programme no filters are used and the files are sent to you to be downloaded onto a phone or computer.
What is the sound intensity during listening sessions? (AIT)
The highest intensity that an individual is exposed to during AIT listening sessions varies depending upon the individual. However, it will not exceed 80 dBA SPL (slow scale) and will in practice be at a much lower intensity. Whenever it is not possible to obtain an audiogram, or the individual cannot easily communicate, the starting level is always low and careful observation is made when increasing it. The music should never be uncomfortable to listen to.
What music is used for AIT?
All music meets the criteria considered appropriate for AIT and are high quality recordings from a list of tracks tested by The Society of Integration Techniques (SAIT) as suitable for use for AIT. The full auditory bandwidth is used subject to the need to apply filtering based upon audiometric test results.
If my child has a history of ear infections, grommets and antibiotics, can AIT help them?
In many cases this is an indicator that we can probably make a big difference. Many of our clients presenting with speech & language difficulties have such a history. It is quite likely that they missed out on important stages in normal speech and language development while they were in pain or unable to hear. AIT rebalances the hearing and this seems to restart the development process.
Are there any side effects during AIT?
You may notice behavioural or mood changes and, very occasionally, feelings of nausea. These are short-lived and generally indicate the programme is taking effect and progress is being made.
What does the Neuro-developmental programme entail?
A full neuro-developmental assessment takes approximately 1 hour. The test covers gross and fine muscle control, co-ordination, balance, patterns of motor development, presence of aberrant reflexes, laterality, oculo-motor functions and visual perceptual ability. On the basis of these tests, a personal programme of Neuro-developmental exercises is prepared for the client to carry out. These are either done in our Centre with our Intensive programme (30 mins of exercises 1:1 with a Clinician, twice a day over a 10 day period, including regular assessments), or at home (with video support and regular assessments in our Centre).
What training and qualifications do the staff at the Neuro-Balance Centre have?
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Arabella Thring, co-founder of The Neuro-Balance Centre, has 17 years experience working in the filed of holistic medicine. She is a Developmental Practitioner, trained in human development and the developmental stages of movement from infancy to adulthood. She is a Movement Educator @ BodyMind Centering having completed 4 years training in London with Embody Move.She Is also a qualified Rhythmic Movement Training practitioner.
Arabello is a qualified Homeopath after completing 4 years training with The British School of Homeopathy a Mindfulness Teacher trained in Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction at the Centre for Mindfulness research and Practice at Bangor University, Oxford University Mindfulness Centre and The Mindfulness in School Project.
Before training in Developmental work Arabella ran Mindfulness Courses for Adults (MBSR ) and children.
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Arabella is also a trained Facial and Foot Reflexologist, completing her training with the International Reflex Institute in Barcelona.
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Can I contact clients that have received these treatments in the past?
Due to client confidentiality, we are unable to provide contact details for past clients but will make any testimonials available.
Are results guaranteed?
We cannot guarantee specific results but the outcomes of the programmes have been extremely encouraging. Most clients experience improvements and display very positive results in many areas of their life. These may include improvements in educational, cognitive, emotional, behavioural or social performance as well as general physical well-being. Improvements are sometimes immediate, sometimes continuing in subsequent weeks and months, sometimes not starting until some time after the programme.
Will I be able to come to the Centre during term breaks and holidays?
Yes, we are open for assessments and treatments daily, including during term breaks, holidays and some weekends.
What happens if someone falls ill during one of the programmes?
We would not want to continue if someone becomes ill, so we would offer a break until he or she was feeling better. In the case of AIT, we continue from where we left off or start again, depending on the time lapse.
What are the costs of an assessment and the various programmes you offer?
Please contact us at arabella@neuro-balance-centre.co.uk and we will be happy to supply full price lists.
Can I get funding for the programme from the NHS?
The NHS currently do not offer funding for any of the therapies that we provide.
Will my health insurance pay for the programme?
Health insurance companies generally do not pay for the programmes as they are not classified as medical interventions. We suggest you speak to your health insurance provider for more details.
Can I get funding for the programme from other sources?
We will assist clients in applying for charity funding and can supply sample letters and resources information on request.
Are you insured?
We carry appropriate Professional and Public Liability Insurance.
Do you carry out CRB/DBS checks?
Our staff all receive Enhanced Disclosure Barring Service checks and are registered with the ICO for Data Protection.