MTAT Ear Seeding for ADHD and Executive Function Challenges
Parents, Carers, Children and Practitioners Workshops
World leading ADHD expert Russell Barkley calls ADHD ‘the most impairing outpatient disorder seen in psychiatric clinics. Impairing because it is a self regulatory disorder effecting the entire executive function system’, (2015.)
As a Specialist Social, Emotional Mental Health Teacher working in mainstream schools, I have experienced first hand the distress that ADHD and executive function challenges have on children who do not fit an education system built for neurotypical children.
And I have learnt from parents and carers the pain and desperation they feel when their child is overwhelmed by an unfit system, the blame they receive and the strain that unwanted effects of ADHD and executive functioning difficulties cause to family relationships.
MTAT Connecting Protocol combines my expertise as a Specialist SEMH Teacher and Auricular Therapist of 25 years to bring you a new approach that urges parents/carers and children to learn a gentle, non-invasive ear seeding intervention together.
MTAT Connecting Protocol is a four phase intervention approach that responds to the emotional, cognitive and physiological state of the receiver. It is designed to strengthen ADHD and executive function deficits by improving impaired 'What When Why' neural networks (Barkley), promoting emotional safety and restoring parent/child relationships as they turn take to learn ear seeding together, coregulate and support one another.
MTAT Connecting Protocol takes the neuroanatomical teaching of the world's leading experts on ADHD: Russell Barkley and Stephen Faraone and the world's best auricular medicine researchers and practitioners: Drs. Bahr, Strittmatter, Nogier and Oleson with the highest grade clinical studies on auricular acupressure for ADHD: Binish, Zhi and Mahdivai and reimagines their teaching into a unique four phase intervention that not only focuses on improving executive function challenges but family relationships as part of a no conflict, low demand, equalising process.
MTAT Connecting Protocol provides four separate protocols that build on the last to guide giver and receiver as they turn take through a progressive process of connecting using ear seeding.
Phase One: Connecting to self via emotional regulation
Phase Two: Connecting to others via coregulation and relational awareness
Phase Three: Connecting impaired neural pathways of executive functioning/ADHD
Phase Four: Maintaining restored connections with daily rituals and routines to prevention relapse.
MTAT Connecting Protocol provides a framework embedded in Padesky's cognitive behaviour therapy 5 Aspects Model (1986), Motivational Interviewing of Rollnick and Miller (1995) and Prochaska and DiClemente's Stages of Change model (1983) to guide individualised responsive needs led intervention.
I also introduce my own bespoke visually strong models that aid learning of brain structures and acupoints projections onto the ear using:
MTAT Auricular Hand Model of the Cerebral Lobes
MTAT Auricular Hand Model of Innervating Cranial Nerves
Calms the nervous system to create safety and soothes the stress response. Activates the vagus nerve and restores autonomic balance, dampening the emotionally reactive limbic system. Receivers shift from fight-or-flight into a state where attention and connection become possible. Includes age appropriate breathwork and motivational prompts if verbal input can be tolerated.
Anna teaching from Dr Bahr's Auricular Chart. Photo Credit Sophie King
Builds trust through attunement and co-regulation. Once regulation is in place, we strengthen relational safety and whole brain integration, balancing left and right hemispheres of the brain often imbalanced in people with ADHD (laterality.) This activates emotional regulation, attention, and social engagement circuits in the brain, deepening parent/carer-child connection and reducing oppositional behaviours.
The most scientific part. Rewire .reconnects three key disrupted neural circuits in the ADHD and EF challenged brain: Barkley's What, When, Why neural networks: working memory, time awareness/sequencing and emotional regulation, motivation, and goal-directed behaviour. Rewire protocol also influences the norepinephrine neurotransmitter pathway in the brain via vagus nerve stimulation (Zhi et al. 2025.) Accompanied by motivational interviewing and cognitive reframe prompts, working memory, impulse control and adaptive thinking are supported.
Restore phase supports long-term wellbeing by maintaining neural network connections and nurturing parent/carer child bond even in the face of stress or setbacks. Restore protocol supports restful sleep. Daily routines and ear seed application prevent burn out and encourage emotional closure on the day.
All resources are available online as a self paced workshop via Google Classroom. This allows parents, carers and children (age 4 upwards) to access Regulate, Relate, Rewire and Restore progressive ear seeding interventions, video demonstrations and all visually strong resources at the right pace and time for you.
Launching January 2026.
Buy now at £150 to reserve your workshop. In person teen workshop (age 11-17) also available.
In Person Workshop for Parents, Carers, Adolescents (aged 11-17) at Woodbrooke, Bournville 10-4.30pm. Learn four phase ear seeding intervention protocols Regulate, Relate, Rewire and Restore together in a no conflict, low demand, equalising intervention. Access to digital visually strong resources.
Disclaimer:
Ear seeding is offered as a complementary wellness intervention and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any medical condition. The use of auricular therapy for ADHD and executive function challenges is based on the most robust clinical studies accessible, traditional and emerging therapeutic models and should be considered supportive rather than primary care.
This intervention does not replace conventional medical treatment, prescribed medication, or psychological support. Individuals with ADHD or related neurodevelopmental conditions should continue to follow the guidance of their GP, paediatrician, psychiatrist, or other licensed healthcare provider.
We recognise ADHD as a condition protected under the Equality Act 2010, and we support the use of reasonable adjustments and multi-agency collaboration in line with UK safeguarding and inclusion frameworks.
Clients are encouraged to approach ear seeding as part of a broader, evidence-informed care plan. For children and young people, parental consent and professional oversight are essential. If you have any concerns about your health or treatment options, please consult a qualified medical professional.