1. Heide-Kongress

Welcome to 1. Heide-Kongress

Dear colleagues, dear doctors, dear psychologists, dear educators, dear therapists, dear interested parties,

more and more children as young as kindergarten age are being referred to psychological practices and social paediatric centres with suspected autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, ADD or specific learning difficulties. In adults, too, the findings and diagnoses relating to autism spectrum disorder, ADHD and neurodiversity are increasing overall. Obviously, the causes of these developments are multifactorial and the changing media environment while growing up, changes in parenting styles, global and national political developments, climate change and many other factors play a role.

Although all learning and regulation of emotional behaviour takes place in the brain, it is often overlooked that the brain receives sensory information from the environment through the body and expresses its experience of the environment through it. Immaturity or conflict in brain-body functions impairs the brain’s ability to absorb information, process it and express itself in an organised way.

Testing the presence or absence of primitive reflexes and postural responses at key stages of early development provides the opportunity to assess the maturity and integrity of CNS functioning. This enables qualified professionals to recognise and treat neuromotor immaturity as a causal factor in a variety of different disorders.

For 50 years, the Institute of Neurophysiological Psychology (INPP), founded in 1975 in Chester England by Peter Blythe and now directed by Sally Goddard Blythe, has been a pioneer in researching the involvement of physical (neuromotor) causes in specific learning and behavioural difficulties and developing valid examination methods to identify neuromotor immaturity as well as effective therapeutic intervention programmes to promote neuromotor development. Also in Germany there is an Institute for Neurophysiological Psychology, established in 1995 by Thake Hansen-Lauff, who has worked tirelessly and conscientiously to make the INPP method known and recognised in Germany.

To celebrate the 30th anniversary of INPP Germany, we therefore want to bring together at this congress colleagues from the fields of education, medicine and psychology who are dealing with the topic of the development of the nervous system and its framework conditions and effects, as a significant basis for our being in the world.

Prenatal, perinatal, postnatal – Basically, we would like to highlight the often overlooked and underestimated ‘deep impact’ that disorders during pregnancy, birth and the first year of life can have on development and the rest of life and show what possibilities there are to overcome these disorders at a later stage, to mature and thus enhance neuromotor maturity.

What does it require for achieving more neuromotor maturity and, as a result, easier learning, more appropriate behaviour and a happier sense of self-centredness? This will be analysed from the fields of medicine, psychology and pedagogy, from a basic theoretical, scientific and practical perspective. We would like to offer a platform for exchange between scientists and practitioners working in this field.

Bringing practice and science together!

Message of greeting from the Prime Minister of Lower Saxony, Stephan Weil

Ladies and Gentlemen,

on behalf of the state of Lower Saxony, I would like to welcome you to the 1st Heidekongress on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of INPP Germany and send you my warmest greetings.

Take advantage of the many opportunities offered by the unique historical cultural landscape of Lüneburg Heath in your leisure time. Explore the extensive heathland, forests and rivers. Immerse yourself in this magical region and enjoy the regional hospitality and culinary specialities.
INPP Germany can look back on three decades of dedicated work. During this time, the INPP method – in short: a movement exercise programme to promote neuromotor maturity – has steadily gained acceptance. The possibility of discovering neuromotor immaturity in children, adolescents and adults through INPP opens up valuable opportunities to help these people in a targeted manner and to support individual development processes.

The 1st Heidekongress offers a broad and wide-ranging programme with specialist presentations and discussion events. I am therefore delighted that you have chosen the Lüneburg Heath as the venue for the conference to mark the 30th anniversary of INPP Germany. With your conference, you are helping to enrich the health policy discourse on INPP and Lower Saxony as a medical location.

May your congress provide you with stimulating discussions, an enriching professional exchange and new and innovative insights.

Stephan Weil
Prime Minister of Lower Saxony

Greetings from the Lower Saxony Minister for Social Affairs, Labour, Health and Equality, Dr Andreas Philippi

Dear congress participants,

as Lower Saxony’s Minister of Health and a physician, I am delighted that the 1st Heide Congress is being held in Lower Saxony.

Neuromotor immaturity, which is characterised by insufficiently inhibited and integrated early childhood reflexes, is a major burden for those affected, which often continues into adulthood. Research into both the causes and possible treatment options makes an important contribution to improving the quality of life of those affected. The INPP method, a movement exercise programme to promote neuromotor maturity, opens up an interesting and innovative medical approach.
I wish all visitors an interesting exchange of ideas and lots of new information.

As a medical doctor, I am very familiar with the symptoms of neuromotor immaturity. The consequences for those affected often last into adulthood. That is why it is and remains important to research the causes and discuss treatment options. Congresses such as this one provide an important forum for this.

As Lower Saxony’s Minister of Health, I wish all participants an informative exchange and new insights.

Dr. med. Andres Philippi
Lower Saxony Minister for Social Affairs, Labour, Health and Equality

Upcoming congresses

2. Heide-Kongress

Der 2. Heidekongress findet vom 23. - 25.06.2028 statt mit dem Titel:
ADHS, Autismus und Neurodiversität – Vielfalt verstehen, Entwicklung fördern.

Als Internationale Konferenz verbindet der 2. Heidekongress Forscher und
Praktiker aus der ganzen Welt. Bringing Practice and Science together!