Progress is possible
Our goal is to help your child to develop so that they are able to comfortably adapt to their environment and develop a better quality of movement and function. Depending on the child that may mean learning to walk, to crawl, to communicate, gain relief from pain or achieve better performance in school.
The Feldenkrais approach to working with children with additional and developmental needs was pioneered by Dr Moshe Feldenkrais and further developed by Anat Baniel into the Anat Baniel Method® for Children. The aim is to encourage and increase your child’s ability to move and function as effectively as possible so that progress is made.
More normal movements cannot be obtained if your child stays in a few positions and moves in a limited or disordered way. A typically developing child can move about to explore their environment. At first they focus on themselves; they kick and then bring their toes to their mouth, they play with their hands and fingers; they finger their food and handle objects, bringing them to their mouth. Without much help, and quite naturally, they move from one stage of development to another. Each new experience prepares the way for the next until ultimately they can do the more complex tasks that are required of them as they grow up.
A child with additional or developmental needs also grows and develops, but the pattern of growth and development is sometimes delayed or stuck at certain stages. The brain controls all movement, so that when some part of the brain is damaged, as in cerebral palsy for example, control is reduced resulting in movement and functional issues. By reproducing the natural way that a typically developing child explores, children with additional and developmental needs can learn new movements.
Each child is different from another and has to learn according to their situation. A child may be able to move their lower limbs more easily than their upper, or vice versa. This will interfere with their development. Sometimes many stages of movement development are missing altogether. Two examples of this are:
- A child cannot lie on his tummy, lift his head up, or support himself with his arms so he will not learn to use the muscles of his neck and his back which he needs for sitting up straight or standing up. This may also interfere with the control of breathing and speech.
- A child can stand up only by stiffening her legs she will tend to stand on her toes and in time her legs will become even stiffer.
Many factors need to be kept in mind when working with a child. We need to look ahead to see what are the most essential movements and functions and work to attain them. We will help your child explore developmental movements that, up until now, they may not have experienced. Each child, whatever the severity or type of problem, will experience a variety of gentle movements and novel positions that allow their brain to learn new ways to move and function by forming new neural connections and patterns.
We would love to talk to you so please contact us if you’d like to know more.
Supporting Children with Additional Needs, Neurodivergent Children & Developmental Differences
Because the Anat Baniel Method® for Children and the Feldenkrais Method® address how the brain itself organises information—rather than forcing a child through repetitive mechanical drills—children with a wide variety of additional and developmental needs can make meaningful breakthroughs. Using gentle one-to-one Functional Synthesis® and Functional Integration® lessons guided by The 9 Essentials, we work with babies, toddlers, children, and young people experiencing:
Cerebral Palsy & Brain Injury
Helping children reduce spasticity or high muscle tone, discover balanced support through the skeleton, and find easier pathways for rolling, sitting, crawling, standing, and walking.
Genetic, Chromosomal & Birth Conditions
Supporting children with Down syndrome, rare genetic syndromes, brachial plexus injury (Erb’s palsy), torticollis, or complications following premature birth.
Neurodivergent Children (Autism, ADHD & Developmental Delays)
Helping neurodivergent children and children who have missed early milestones—such as tummy-time head lifting, cross-pattern crawling, speech coordination, or fine motor control—connect with their surroundings with greater calm, comfort, and curiosity.
Enhanced DBS Verification, Supporting Parents & Peaceful Somerset Village Intensives
We know that nobody knows your child better than you do, and that safety and trust come first. Both Doreen Quinnell and Chris Norris hold clear Enhanced DBS Disclosures (Disclosure and Barring Service, formerly CRB), independently verified via PeopleCheck. Parents and carers stay present throughout every lesson, and we take time to show you simple, gentle ways to hold, carry, play with, and support your child at home so that everyday family routines reinforce their learning between sessions.
Families visit our peaceful Somerset village setting in Lympsham from across the South West and the wider UK:
- Easy travel access — located in Lympsham, just 9 minutes from the M5 motorway (Junction 22), 15 minutes from direct mainline trains from London Paddington, 25–30 minutes from Bristol Airport, and within easy reach of Bristol, Bath, Wells, and Taunton.
- Multi-day & residential intensives — concentrated multi-day session blocks and bespoke residential intensives in our spacious five-bedroom village home so families can stay comfortably without daily travel stress.
- International directory listing — listed under United Kingdom in the worldwide NeuroConnect directory (www.neuroconnect.world) of movement educators working with children.
“You make me happier than the smiley faces on my wheelchair.”
Frequently Asked Questions
At what age can a baby or child begin lessons, and are you Enhanced DBS checked?
We work with babies from their earliest months right through childhood and adolescence, and both Doreen Quinnell and Chris Norris hold clear Enhanced DBS Disclosures (Disclosure and Barring Service) independently verified via PeopleCheck, with certificates available to inspect on request.
What if my child cries, won't stay still, or finds new environments overwhelming?
In keeping with the 9 Essentials, we never force a child into a position or demand that they perform an exercise. Instead, we join your child wherever they are comfortable—whether on the table, on the floor, or in your arms—using play, song, curiosity, and gentle touch so their brain's learning switch stays on.
Do you offer multi-day or residential intensives for families travelling with a child?
Yes. Families travelling from London or across the UK can book a multi-day intensive (typically two lessons a day over 3–5 days with both Doreen and Chris), and by arrangement we can host families with one or more children for a calm residential intensive in our five-bedroom house in the peaceful Somerset village of Lympsham.
Can these lessons work alongside NHS physiotherapy or occupational therapy?
Yes, absolutely. Parents often find that once their child’s brain gains clearer body awareness and reduced muscular bracing through the Anat Baniel and Feldenkrais Methods, they participate much more comfortably and successfully in their other daily activities and therapies.