FAQs

If you don’t see the answer to your question on this page, please do not hesitate to get in touch and we’ll do our best to answer your question as soon as possible.


Can it help my child / pupil with dyspraxia / DCD?

Yes it may help him. The focus of the program is NOT on physical skills but on BRAIN CALMING & ORGANISING. Many children with dyspraxia (DCD) struggle with attention, organization and memory. This program may help boost those skills. However as a by- product you may well see an improvement in his core and arm/leg strength.

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Do I have to be a therapist or other medical professional to take a child through the Braincalm™ Intensive Program?

No. The BEST people to take dysregulated children through the 15 minute a day Braincalm™ Intensive Program are

  • Classroom assistant (SNAs)
  • Resource teachers

Sometimes parents are able to complete The Braincalm™ Intensive Program at home but it has shown to have better results when done in school.

**BRAINCALM™ INTENSIVE PROGRAM TRAINING is only run as LIVE sessions by Braincalm™ Creator Brenda Cassidy.

The person MUST have completed the LIVE training & be certified by the Braincalm™ Institute.

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Does the Braincalm™ Intensive Program need to be completed every day for it to be effective?

Yes, you should complete the program at least 5 times a week for 20 minutes. It usually only takes about 15 minutes if you are a parent doing it with your child at home. You can give the child a break on Saturday and Sunday for example.

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I am a parent & want to do the Braincalm™ Intensive Program over school break. Can I take the course?

Yes! If the program works for YOUR child (which it does for about 80% of children) your child should go back after 2 to 3 blocks in a much better state of focus and better able to learn if the program is followed correctly. Plus he will be stronger in his body overall.

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I have a child / pupil with dyslexia. Will it help her?

Yes it may help her. We have reports from many parents and school staff who have seen improvements in organisational skills and a reduction in frustration in children with dyslexia.

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If I only complete it once or twice a week with a child will it be effective?

No, it needs to be completed 5 times a week for it to be effective. From experience, if a child does not take part in the program for a day or a few days they will often ask for it as they miss it!

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Is Braincalm™ effective?

The Braincalm™ Intensive Program has been piloted through 2016 and 2017 by Brenda Cassidy, OT in numerous primary schools. It has shown to be ‘somewhat effective’, ‘very effective’ or ‘dramatically effective’ in calming & settling dysregulated or ‘out of synch’ children.

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My child / pupil has ASD / Autism. How Can the Braincalm™ Intensive Program help him?

Yes it may help him. We have completed the program with many children who have ASD and who are in either special classes or mainstream classes. Many children with ASD are integrated into mainstream classes but need additional help to attend and learn. The child with ASD will likely need further sensory breaks throughout the day in addition the completing the Braincalm™ Intensive Program.

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What is Braincalm™?

Braincalm™ is a NEW WAY of regulating behaviours in children with SGO (something going on) but without using medication.

It becomes a way of life for school staff & parents who complete the various Braincalm™ courses. When a whole school becomes a fully trained Braincalm School, they all speak Braincalm language.

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What is the Braincalm™ Intensive Program?

The Braincalm Intensive  Program™ is a well researched program of occupational therapy exercises where a child is taken out of the classroom for 15-20 minutes a day and brought through these exercises for a specific length of time and in a specific order.

It has been developed and piloted by Brenda Cassidy, occupational therapist and based on sensory integration occupational therapy exercises originally researched and developed during the 1970s by Jean Ayres and in recent years by Jane Horwood.

Learn More About The Program:

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