MONI LEBON
NEURO-DEVELOPMENTAL THERAPIST
What is neuro developmental therapy?
NDT aims to recapitulate;
to repeat the stages of evolutionary development during the earliest phases of life. Giving the body a second chance to further develop the nervous system.
By working through the retained primitive reflexes we can remove these blockages that can significantly hinder our ability to access our potential.
Why Neuro developmental therapy?
It can help with
Physical symptoms
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Bed wetting beyond age 6 (nocturnal enuresis)
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Clumsiness
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Dyspraxia
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Motion sickness
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Photosensitivity
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Poor posture
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Poor spatial awareness
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Tics
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Walking on toes
Emotional difficulties
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Hypersensitivity
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Mood swings
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Poor impulse control
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Anger and aggression issues
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Withdrawn, timid behaviour
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Low self-esteem
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Difficulty relating to their peers/making friends
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Angel at school, demon at home
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Attachment and separation issues
Learning difficulties
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Coordination difficulties
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Dyslexia
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ADHD and ADD
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Poor concentration
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Poor organisational skill
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Poor handwriting
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Poor short-term memory
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Sequencing difficulties
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Dyscalculia
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Difficulty conceptualising
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Slowness at copying tasks
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Translating thoughts into words on paper
Other flagging signs
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Poor motor coordination and balance
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Poor motor sequencing
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Poor fine motor skills/manual dexterity
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Poor hand-eye coordination
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Mouth is moving when hands are engaged (i.e. when practising an instrument or cutting with scissors)
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Slumping the head close to the table when writing
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Messy eating
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Sitting in a 'W' position on the floor
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Swim better when underwater
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Mixed laterality or still unestablished laterality by age 6/7
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Dysrhythmia/poor timing and rhythm of movement
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Easily distracted
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Physical timidity, dislike games and sports
Related conditions
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Agoraphobia
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Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
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Anorexia
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Asthma and eczema
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Hayfever
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Prone to allergies
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Poor immunity (constant ENT problem)
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Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD)
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Vertigo
Stresses
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Anxiety
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Chronic stress
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Elective mutism
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Free-floating anxiety (for no obvious reason)
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Poor adaptability - very rigid with routines and dislike surprises
A drug-free neural stimulation programme to get back on track
You may be questioning how one therapy can treat such a diverse range of symptoms. The answer lies in the fact some people's central nervous systems have not been able to fully mature. When the foundation is weak all sorts of symptoms may occur as further stress is put upon the system. We can detect this immaturity by testing for the presence of primitive reflexes, which are our original tools for learning to inhabit our body, where they begin life from just 9 weeks in utero. These tools are the rudimentary training using movement to develop the nervous system. They teach us many fundamental lessons but once learned they should make way for the postural reflexes and if this does not happen the central nervous system(the gateway for fluent communication between body and brain), will not be matured enough to handle the workload. The above symptoms are examples of signs that miscommunication is happening between different parts of the body.
Neuro-developmental therapy is a non-invasive, drug-free neural stimulation programme (carried out at home) that combines tactile skin stimulation with physical exercises and is designed to inhibit any residual primitive reflexes. This enables the brain to have a second chance to develop.
Through this process it has been shown that anxiety can be greatly reduced, learning can be easier, and emotions better managed. It can also help to promote more age and socially appropriate behaviour as well as further developing motor control and good coordination. The therapy addresses the immaturity of the psyche as well as physical coordination because neuro-developmental delay can impact all 3 bodies; physical, emotional and mental.
The children and adults that have gone through the programme tend to develop greater confidence and a stronger sense of ‘self’, enabling them to see their inherent capacity.
What are Primitive reflexes?
Primitive reflexes are the inborn software that helps us to assist in our own births and to survive the first months of life. They are automatic, stereotyped movements that protect and provide the basic training for our motor activity. They are vital for human survival as we learn to adapt to the new environment outside of the comfort of the womb in a gravity-based environment.
The presence of primitive reflexes beyond the normal age range (mostly before 12 months) will also hinder the development of the more sophisticated and important postural reflexes as well as the further maturation of the central nervous system. The primitive reflexes need to be “put to bed” and retire in the brainstem allowing higher brain functions to take the helm. They should only come back online if there is an insult to the brain in an accident or other forms of brain degenerative diseases.
What are Postural reflexes?
The postural reflexes are a set of more adult and sophisticated reflexes, responsible for handling many gross motor functions. They provide the basis and fluidity for the unconscious, automatic control of balance (vestibular system), posture (muscle tone), and movement (motor function/coordination). They come into existence in the 1st year of life from about 6 months of age and they need to be fully integrated and fully functioning in order to allow the primitive reflexes to be suppressed. The 2 sets of reflexes have a push and pull effect on each other, influencing each other and coexist at the same time during transitional stages. If the postural reflexes do not have enough strength to competently take over our motor functions in our gravity-based environment, the primitive reflexes will not be able to let go and thus remain active in the system.
Learned motor functions are stored in the cerebellum (lower brain). They should become automatic, allowing the cortex (the executive command centre of the brain) to be free to handle all other more complex tasks.
What to expect from treatment?
The neuro-stimulation programme aims to reignite the maturation of the central nervous system. As the system becomes better integrated, we should begin to see an improvement in all areas requiring attention, balance, and coordination.
Reading and writing will see changes as these skills are also affected by many of the primitive reflexes, as vision is also a motor skill.
Controlling behaviours and shyness both stem from fear, which is the basis for insecurity when there is a lack of relationship with gravity. The emotional body is very much linked to the maturity of the Central nervous system and we should begin to see a growing sense of self-awareness and self-esteem, improving behaviours on a social and emotional level.
Here are some practical signs of transformation that may be noticed from undergoing a programme:
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Reduced impulsivity and better emotional regulation
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Improved focus and attention
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More able to stay on task
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A better understanding of reasoning/more empathy
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Increased self-confidence
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Integrate better socially
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Ability to relate to peers/ make friends
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Better coordination/body awareness for movement exercises, dance/sport, less clumsy
About Moni
After a bumpy start with her first child’s early schooling experiences, Moni found her way into Steiner education. Moni has completed her Steiner teacher training in both lower school and kindergarten and has worked in the Steiner 'early years' setting. The needs of her first child again led her to another transformational learning opportunity with Bob Allen, the leading Neuro-developmental therapist based in Windsor. The whole family underwent the program before Moni began her training with Bob.
Moni is a fully qualified and insured neuro-developmental therapist as well as a Johansen IAS provider. Moni has worked for the Key clinic in central London and now works at Access Potential in Windsor (https://www.accesspotential.net/), and from her home in Northwest London including Saturday mornings. She also works from Kings langley, Hertfordshire
As with her Steiner teacher and 'early years' training, which provided an in-depth understanding of the various stages of human development, she believes that these therapeutic inputs are ways to remove hindrances in one's journey through the path of life.
"Our rightful place as educators is to be removers of hindrances. Each child in every age brings something new into the world from divine regions, and it is our task to remove bodily and psychical obstacles out of his way, to remove hindrances so that his spirit may enter in full freedom into life."
Dr. Rudolf Steiner addressing the Waldorf teachers at the Oxford Course
Testimonials
Dear Moni, I hope you are well, I just wanted to take the time to share Nala’s progress with you.
A year ago we were so worried about her shyness and ability to cope socially which seemed to hold her back in so many parts of her life. We would avoid taking to certain places or putting in certain situations. We were at a loss with what to do to help her. Since starting treatment with you, we have seen a gradual and steady improvement in the things she was struggling with.
A few weeks ago we received Nala’s school report and she has been assessed as being at the expected on all social aspects. A year ago she had been marked as behind the expected level on every one. On her last day of reception she also achieved a certificate of achievement in an awards assembly, she was over the moon.
In the last few weeks we have done things we would never have dreamed of doing with her. We have been to busy parks and soft play, on the crowded noisy underground to see Buckingham Palace and met up with lots of old friends. Nala has taken this all in her stride and has enjoyed every new situation that has come her way. So many people have commented and described her as “very confident”. I never thought I would hear someone describe her using those words.
We are absolutely elated to see her now enjoying her childhood without the stresses and burdens she once had. She is still cautious and very perceptive of others, which are qualities we adore in her, but she is now a ‘normal’ 5-year-old and able to enjoy all of the things that come her way.
We cannot thank you enough for your care, support and patience. Best wishes Jo
At our recent parents evening we met with all of Arjan’s teachers and every single report was really positive. All of his teachers acknowledged that he is extremely bright and willing to learn and much more focused than he has been previously.His sports teachers commented that he is a ‘totally different child’ and much more focused. The only takeaway for us is to work on is his impulse control. He is above his working target for reading, working at expected level for maths and just under his target for spelling. We are really pleased as parents evenings are usually a source of anxiety. We feel really proud of the work Arjan has put in in the last 7 months and we have a lot to thank you for.
- Arjan's mother -
We have been absolutely delighted with Moni’s work. The positive change in our son is absolutely remarkable. All the family have seen incredible improvements in his ability to manage day to day and the amazing improvement in stability has greatly benefited us all. He is much calmer, his grades have improved and he is absolutely shining at school. He is now much more comfortable and happy in himself and his confidence has bloomed as a result. Moni has a great approach to her work, being calm and professional as well as warm and encouraging. It has been a delight to visit her for each appointment and, most importantly, our son is very comfortable with her. - Oscar's mum, Cambridge -
Hi Moni we are all fine. Hasan is keep doing exercise every day. We got the last school report where the teacher highlighted that Hasan is self regulate himself way better than a year ago and he thinks way better about himself.
- Hasan's mother, South London -
Hi Moni, Thanks so much for your kind message. How are you?
Yes, everything went really well. Reflecting on the day, I can’t believe the difference in my confidence and sense of calm I had on my wedding day, versus how I was feeling a year ago. I am so grateful to you, and all the work we did together. I achieved exactly what I was looking for and really enjoyed myself. I have been able to carry that through to my every day as well, at other parties and work events, and no longer feel that sense of overwhelm and distress at those occasions.
Again, I can’t thank you enough and it was a pleasure to meet you.
Thanks. Debbie
I have benefitted a great deal from my therapy with Moni. She is extremely knowledgeable about her work and I have been so impressed with her approach throughout. Undertaking sessions as an adult was quite a step but so many of the symptoms which can be aided by NDT applied to me and really resonated while researching the programme for my son. I am completely delighted with the results so far: more confident and dealing with things so much more manageably. A big improvement in anxiety and definitely more self-care. All this equates to being a much happier person all round and a huge benefit to my family. Moni’s approach is thoughtful and considered with clear explanations along the way and plenty of encouragement.
- Samantha -
Hi Moni, Alls well here thanks. Eva is doing really well. Her recent parents evening chat was that she has turned a corner and is flourishing! She wrote a story about a penguin that was so imaginative with such creative flair that it was read to the whole year 2 group and teachers. Her headteacher just stopped me this morning to say how well Eva is doing at school and how much more confident she is.
Thank you SO much for all of your work with her over the past year, it's made a big difference. -Lisa, Eva's mother -
