What we do to help

The assessments we do and the exercises and therapies we recommend are designed to improve the visual and auditory processing systems that a conventional eye examination or hearing test would not help with.

Motion detection, rapid fixation, tracking, visual and spatial perception, are known as ‘top down’ systems. We also work on the balance and coordination processing, known as a ‘bottom up’ system.

These systems work together and are linked in the brain by the cerebellum and by working on both systems simultaneously; we have more success in supporting you and your child in improving the problems they may have.

Find out more about our assessments

Dr Annette Grounds

Vision Therapist

Dr Annette Grounds has a BSc in Optometry and was an accredited member of the British Association of Behavioural Optometrist, (BABO) for 28 years. She has recently retired as a behavioural optometrist but is still practising at the MSTC as a vision therapist. She has a PhD in Vision Research looking at Magnocellular and Parvocellelar systems in Amblyopia and also a MSc in Developmental Neuro-Psychology. Annette has attended many interdisciplinary conferences and undertaken courses, including Johannsen’s Individual Auditory Stimulation and Working with Listening and Auditory Processing Difficulties, in children.

Annette has spent 30 years developing a multi-sensory therapy approach, to help children with a variety of visual and sensory processing problems, which are commonly found in children with a range of learning difficulties.

Annette said: “I have seen so many children change dramatically over the years; children with low self-esteem and low self-worth becoming confident young people, who have turned their lives around. It is hard to express the amazing feeling when a child returns, showing increased confidence and enjoying school, getting higher grades and a better understanding of their strengths and weakness. Accepting that they are not stupid but that they may need a little support, or need to do things in a slightly different way. Over the past 30 years I have enjoyed building up the support we can offer the amazing children we see. We are able to help them become more confident and be more successful, so that they can achieve their full potential.”

Find out more about Visual Processing & Auditory Processing

Hayley Barrett

MSTC Owner & Primitive Reflex Specialist

Hayley has worked alongside Dr Grounds as a Primitive Reflex Specialist since 2014. She has a degree in Biological Sciences, which she obtained at the University of Essex. Hayley is trained in Rhythmic Movement Training and Reflex Integration Therapy. She also has NCFE CACHE Level 2 Understanding Autism, TQUK Level 2 Understanding Children and Young People’s Mental Health, and NCFE CACHE Level 2 Understanding Dyslexia and Other Learning Difficulties certificates. Before having her daughter in 2023 she was also working part time as an SEN learning support assistant. She is extremely passionate about the work she does and firmly believes that every child can reach their potential if they are encouraged and supported in the correct way.

Find out more about Reflex Therapy

Testimonials

Lovely, friendly service. My daughter looks forward to coming to her appointments and the progress we have seen in a short space of time is amazing.

Rated - Excellent

Its always very useful to come back to get advice from Dr Grounds and Hayley. Appointments are accommodating and convenient. A very good service.

Rated - Excellent

This is the best service by far we have ever accessed and it has made such a difference to my children's daily lives. I cannot recommend Dr Grounds and Hayley enough.

Rated - Excellent

The session was very informative, helpful and insightful. Many of the points really resonated with us. Thank you.

Rated - Excellent

The session was very efficient, informative and revealing. Also a huge relief that we now have tools to help our children rectify their imbalances and so better support them to live more fulfilling, enjoyable and easier lives

Rated - Excellent

It has been a great help with my daughters learning and for me to understand the challenges she has and how to support her better and building her confidence at school. It has also helped me to work with the school on the support they can offer her. Thank you for explaining everything so clearly and for giving us the support tools to aid activity at home.

Rated - Excellent

Absolutely amazing experience. It is such a relief to be able to have my son's reactions and mannerisms explained. The staff are extremely friendly and so informative. Thank you so much.

Rated - Excellent

I would highly recommend the Multi-Sensory Training Centre. Hayley & Annette are both very kind and welcoming and brilliant with children. They both helped my son tremendously, he was struggling at school and they taught myself and my son lots of exercises to help him and he is now coping much better. It's definitely worth the money, I am so glad we went. V x

This has been the most helpful thing that I have ever found for my daughter. The lovely ladies at MSTC have improved her day to day life and made school so much easier. Can't recommend highly enough.

Absolutely brilliant have helped my son improve his skills massively

I highly recommend this amazing centre, both Dr Grounds and Hayley have been amazing, helpful but most importantly understanding of my daughter's needs. Their knowledge is fantastic and are able to guide you as a parent as well as your child.

Spent 5 years trying to find out why our son struggles and behaves the way he does! In less than 5 minutes we found out he has 4/5 retained reflexes! Both Dr Grounds and Hayley are excellent and we now have excercises to do and hopefully all the recommendations will now form part of his EHCP and he’ll get more help at school! 100% recommended!

Amazing place that actually listens to the parent and child. The best thing we ever did for our son was to bring him here, the proof is in the difference in his everyday life. He finally has the help and support to make a difference to his day. Cannot thank Dr Grounds and Hayley enough.

Appointments and Fees

The appointments we offer differ greatly as every child is different. Sometimes their needs are complex and multi-layered, sometimes their needs are much simpler.

This means the type of appointment they require will vary. That’s why we offer a wide range of assessments tailor-making a program specifically to suit the child.

For new enquiries please email the centre

We will reply with a questionnaire for you to complete to allow us to determine how we can support your child most effectively. We will then send you the relevant information you require based on your questionnaire results.

Send Email

Our appointment fees range from £50 to £305.

You can contact the centre on 07399343657 or
email enquiries@mstcentre.co.uk

We will be very happy to talk and provide as much help as possible.

Call 07399343657

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What we do to help

Our Team

Dr Annette Grounds

Hayley Barrett

Testimonials

Appointments and Fees

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