When I receive messages from parents telling me “Myllo helped my child with bedtime” or “Meluna helped my daughter recognise colours”, I am genuinely grateful.
However, I need to be clear about something important: I am a product developer, not a therapist.
I don’t hold degrees in occupational therapy, child psychology, or special education. Therefore, I am not qualified to give advice on your child’s diagnoses or treatment plans.
So, what AM I? I am a listener and tester. I created toys, shared them with schools and Family Hubs, and noticed something unexpected: staff at one school told me that SEN children were more responsive, especially to the soft toys.
Why does this distinction matter? It matters because I never want to replace the professional support your child needs, nor do I want to make claims I cannot back up.
What I CAN do is:
- Share honest feedback from my testing with schools and families.
- Create quality products based on what children and educators tell me.
- Admit when I don’t know something (which happens often).
My approach is simple: I will always be transparent about my role. When I share feedback from South Street Community Primary School, noting that SEN children were more responsive, please know that I am reporting observations, not making medical claims.
I promise to keep learning and improving based on what I learn from the ND community, without ever trying to replace the Occupational Therapists, Paediatricians, Psychologists, and Educators who support your child.
When to consult professionals: If your child has sensory processing challenges, please continue to work with:
- Occupational Therapists (OTs) for sensory integration strategies.
- Paediatricians for medical concerns.
- Educational Psychologists for school support.
I am honoured to create products that families find helpful, but I am on this learning journey with you, not ahead of you.
With gratitude,
Anatoly (Ant)
