| The principles behind neuro-cognitive therapy are | | | | they could question the professionals who were |
| two-fold. Firstly that children with developmental | | | | treating his son as equals and regain their |
| difficulties experience problems of sensory perception | | | | independence. However, it soon became apparent to |
| and need the provision of an appropriate | | | | Andrew that his studies would become far more |
| ‘neurological environment' in order to correct | | | | meaningful to him than this simple ambition and he |
| these sensory mis-perceptions. Secondly, learning can | | | | began to nurture ideas about helping other children. |
| lead development and no matter how badly affected | | | | Andrew’s quest for knowledge led his family all |
| a child is, if information is presented at the correct | | | | over the world to various clinics who offered |
| level and in the correct manner, any child can learn. | | | | alternative treatments, often against the advice of |
| The regime is the brainchild of Andrew Brereton, who | | | | his son’s medical professionals, some of whom |
| himself was the father of a child who suffered | | | | treated the family badly, viewing the families decision |
| profound cerebral palsy and autism. Unfortunately | | | | to try alternatives as a threat to their competence. |
| Andrew’s son passed away from a stroke four | | | | Despite the fact that some of the alternative |
| years ago, but during his life and afterward Andrew | | | | treatments were helpful in helping his son make |
| has striven to study and become qualified in the | | | | incredible developmental gains, for instance restoring |
| areas of child development and cognitive psychology. | | | | his vision from being cortically blind, Andrew became |
| During his son’s life Andrew gained the his first | | | | disillusioned with many of the proponents of such |
| degree in psychology and child development, later | | | | alternatives after discovering their lack of |
| studying in the department of ‘Human | | | | qualifications in the field. It was at this point that he |
| communications sciences’ at the University of | | | | knew how he must use his own studies to help other |
| Sheffield, where he gained post graduate | | | | children like his son. |
| qualifications in ‘Language and Communication | | | | Andrew launched Snowdrop earlier this year and has |
| Impairments in Children.’ Latterly Andrew gained | | | | been staggered at the response from families who |
| his Msc in cognitive psychology and child | | | | have children like his son. Within just a few short |
| development. | | | | weeks of the launch Snowdrop is treating children |
| His son’s problems initially motivated Andrew to | | | | from as far afield as the US, South Africa and |
| study as he became tired of the life of his family | | | | Indonesia, in addition to treating children in the UK. |
| being controlled by doctors and therapists, who often | | | | Andrew has also published two books, one on the |
| did not appear to have much of a clue about treating | | | | subject of cerebral palsy and the other concerning |
| his son. His aim was to amass the knowledge | | | | autism, which can be obtained through the Snowdrop |
| required to free his family from this control, so that | | | | website. |