Uncovering Hidden Gifts: Dr. Robert Melillo's Revolutionary Approach to Developmental Neurology

In Episode 364 of the Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast, host Andrea Samadi welcomes Dr. Robert Melillo, a pioneer in developmental neurology. Dr. Melillo, co-founder of Brain Balance Achievement Centers and an acclaimed author, discusses his groundbreaking work on conditions like ADHD, autism, dyslexia, and more.

Watch our interview on YouTube here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87wpX05ZOaQ 

This episode delves into Dr. Melillo's innovative Brain Balance Program, which uses neuroscience-based exercises to address functional connectivity in the brain without medication. Dr. Melillo shares insights from his book "Disconnected Kids," now in its third edition, and explores the significance of primitive reflexes in childhood brain development.

Dr. Melillo explains how identifying and nurturing the unique gifts within children can help them overcome neurological challenges and thrive. He also highlights his journey and the mentors who shaped it, along with a glimpse into his personalized program offerings based in New York and online.

Welcome back to SEASON 13 of The Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast, where we connect the science-based evidence behind social and emotional learning and emotional intelligence training for improved well-being, achievement, productivity and results—using what I saw as the missing link (since we weren’t taught this when we were growing up in school), the application of practical neuroscience. I’m Andrea Samadi, an author, and an educator with a passion for learning and launched this podcast 7 years ago now, with the goal of bringing ALL the leading experts together (in one place) to help us to APPLY this research in our daily lives.

For today’s episode #364, we meet with Dr. Robert Melillo[i], a leading expert in developmental neurological conditions such as ADHD, autism, OCD, tics, dyslexia, anxiety, and depression in both children and adults. He is the co-founder of Brain Balance Achievement Centers, the developer of the Melillo Method®, and he runs the Melillo Center for Developing Minds in NY. His book, Disconnected Kids: The Groundbreaking Brain Balance Program® for Children with Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia, and Other Neurological Disorders[ii], is now in its Third Edition, endorsed by Daniel Goleman, author of Emotional Intelligence, who calls his book “a visionary new approach,”

For today’s episode #364, we meet with Dr. Robert Melillo, where we looked at:

✔ His book that's now in its 3rd Edition, Disconnected Kids: The Groundbreaking Brain Balance Program® 

✔ Dr. Robert Melillo's Center for Developing Minds in New York and how they have been helping thousands of families around the world.

✔ What are milestones we can look for if we think our child or student has a vulnerability.

✔ Where to begin with The Melillo Method.

Disconnected Kids is a comprehensive at-home guide to his Brain Balance program, which involves no medication or medical interventions but focuses instead on movement and sensory exercises that stimulate proper brain development. This updated and revised edition also features new exercises and the latest research findings on how the retention of primitive reflexes—the involuntary movements babies are born with that typically are replaced with intentional movements by their first birthday—plays an integral role in the development of neurological issues. Through the exercises in this book, these reflexes can be diminished, making brain balance easier to attain. Disconnected Kids helps readers guide children susceptible to a brain imbalance to overcome challenges and allow their true gifted selves to shine.

Let’s meet Dr. Robert Melillo, and learn together about his new visionary approach to help ALL children uncover their authentic gifts, and shine.

Welcome Dr. Melillo. Thank you for joining us today on the podcast. Have we reached you in New York today? It’s it a sunny day there today?

INTRO: For sure, we do need to get up early here before the weather hits those high numbers!

Before we get into your books, achievement centers and the methods you have created to help children with developmental neurological conditions, can we start with when it was that you first became interested in looking for solutions for children with neurological conditions? Where did your interest in brain disorders begin, what role did Denise Festa have on your journey and how did this lead to your Brain Balance Program where you have helped (by now) well over 50,000 young children around the world?

Q1: There is nothing like watching your own child struggle (whether its academically, socially or emotionally). I was drawn to this work in the late 1990s when you were f