Note: The online course will become available on 15 January for students who are registered and would like to start as soon as the online module opens. Students will have to enrol for the for the certification by 1 February.
All students will need to complete the online modules before they can attend the face-to-face course. This means that students registering closer to the deadline will have approximately four weeks to complete the online part before the face-to-face course begins at the beginning of March.
Module 1-12: Online and on-demand
Face to Face Module: March 8-9-10, 2027
The Bramati® Method
A postgraduate clinical training programme exploring neurovisceral regulation, gut–brain interactions and integrative osteopathic reasoning in complex neurodevelopmental presentations.
Why this programme?
Every clinician has experienced the uncertainty of caring for autistic patients whose clinical presentation extends beyond conventional musculoskeletal complaints.
Many osteopaths encounter autistic children presenting with gastrointestinal symptoms, autonomic dysregulation or sensory complexity, yet report limited postgraduate training in these areas. Although research into neurodevelopment continues to expand, many practitioners feel they lack a structured clinical framework that helps them integrate current scientific knowledge into everyday osteopathic practice.
This programme was developed to provide a structured educational framework for approaching that complexity safely, ethically and with greater clinical confidence.
Increasing recognition of neurodiversity has created growing demand for healthcare professionals able to work safely within multidisciplinary teams while applying evidence- informed clinical reasoning to increasingly complex patient presentations.
This programme aims to bridge that educational gap.
Current Scientific Context
Growing international research has highlighted the complex relationship between neurodevelopment, autonomic regulation and gastrointestinal function. Emerging evidence has contributed to a broader understanding of how physiological regulation may influence clinical presentations commonly observed in autistic individuals.
Current scientific interest includes:
• Gut–brain axis
• Enteric nervous system
• Vagus nerve physiology
• Autonomic regulation
• Gastrointestinal health
• Neurodevelopment
• Sensory processing
• Interprofessional and multidisciplinary care
* Supporting scientific references for the topics outlined in this section are provided in a
separate Scientific References document, available on the Autism Health Hub® website.
Within this evolving scientific landscape, there is increasing recognition of the importance of postgraduate education that enables healthcare professionals to interpret emerging evidence critically while maintaining safe, patient-centred clinical practice.
Introducing the Bramati® Method
Developed by Dr Iona Bramati, PhD, the Bramati® Method is an integrative osteopathic educational framework informed by clinical practice, research and reflective learning.
Rather than teaching protocol-based treatment, the programme supports practitioners in developing structured clinical reasoning through the integration of neurovisceral regulation, visceral function, gastrointestinal health and osteopathic principles within an evidence- informed educational framework.
Participants develop practical clinical skills while learning to apply safe, ethical and reflective clinical reasoning when working with autistic individuals.
Beyond professional education, this programme contributes to a broader vision of establishing a network of trained practitioners capable of supporting future clinical research in the Netherlands. By developing a community of clinicians working within a shared educational framework, the programme aims to facilitate future multidisciplinary research protocols and multicentre clinical studies.
Programme Philosophy
The Bramati® Method is founded on four core educational principles.
Integrative Clinical Reasoning Explore the relationship between autonomic nervous system regulation, visceral function, gut–brain interactions, and behavioural presentations within osteopathic clinical practice.
Research-Informed Education The programme is informed by Dr Bramati’s doctoral research together with ongoing clinical observation and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Reflective Clinical Practice Develop advanced observational skills through supervised practical training, structured case discussions, and reflective clinical reasoning.
Patient Safety & Professional Responsibility The programme promotes ethical, evidence- informed practice with patient safety as the central priority throughout all stages of learning.
Learning Outcomes
After completing this programme participants will be able to:
• Perform structured osteopathic assessment in complex neurodevelopmental presentations.
• Recognise gastrointestinal presentations relevant to osteopathic clinical practice.
• Integrate autonomic regulation and gut–brain interactions into clinical reasoning.
• Apply the Bramati® Method safely and ethically within professional scope.
• Communicate effectively within multidisciplinary healthcare teams.
• Critically evaluate emerging scientific evidence relevant to neurodevelopment and osteopathic practice.
• Apply reflective clinical reasoning to support patient-centred care.
Programme Structure
The programme comprises 36 hours of postgraduate education delivered over approximately 8 months, combining flexible online learning, practical clinical training, and ongoing professional supervision.
Stage 1 – Online Learning (15 Hours)
Participants begin the programme with 15 hours of self-paced online learning delivered through the Autism Health Hub® educational platform. These preparatory modules provide the scientific, clinical and theoretical foundations of the Bramati® Method and must be completed before attending the in-person practical training.
The online curriculum includes:
• History and evolution of the term Autism
• Classification of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
• Epidemiology and prevalence of ASD
• Formal diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Stages of child development
• Early developmental signs
• Sensory processing and sensory overload
• Current scientific evidence relating to autism and neurodevelopment
• The gut–brain axis
• Gastrointestinal symptoms in autistic individuals
• Physiology of the enteric nervous system
• Functional anatomy of the gastrointestinal tract
• Activation and regulation of the enteric nervous system
• The role of the vagus nerve in autonomic regulation
• Clinical principles of the Bramati® Method
• Introduction to osteopathic assessment and clinical reasoning
• Demonstration of osteopathic techniques through exclusive educational videos
• Clinical demonstration involving paediatric patients (subject to parental consent and availability)
Participants also receive access to:
• Exclusive video lectures
• Preparatory clinical resources
• Educational support materials
• The Autism Health Hub® learning platform
Stage 2 – Practical Clinical Training (15 Hours)
Practical sessions are delivered in person by Dr Iona Bramati, PhD.
The training focuses on:
• Osteopathic observation
• Palpatory assessment
• Clinical reasoning
• Application of the Bramati® Method
• Supervised practical demonstrations
• Ethical decision-making in clinical practice
The emphasis is on developing safe, thoughtful, and clinically reasoned practice rather than protocol-based treatment.
Stage 3 – Clinical Supervision (6 Hours)
Following the practical training, participants attend monthly online supervision sessions.
These sessions provide opportunities for:
• Clinical case discussion
• Reflection on clinical experiences
• Questions and clarification
• Peer learning
• Interdisciplinary dialogue
• Ongoing professional support
The supervision programme encourages continuous learning while helping practitioners integrate the educational material into their own clinical practice.
Certification & Certificate with Merit
To successfully complete the programme, participants are required to:
• Complete all online learning modules.
• Attend the practical clinical training in full.
• Participate in the clinical supervision programme.
Participants who fulfil these requirements will receive the Bramati® Method Certificate of Completion and become eligible to join the Autism Health Hub® Professional Network.
Certificate with Merit
Participants who wish to demonstrate an additional level of clinical engagement may also choose to submit a clinical case report illustrating the thoughtful application of the Bramati® Method within their own practice.
The clinical case report is optional and is not required to successfully complete the programme.
Participants who successfully complete the programme and submit an approved clinical case report will receive the Bramati® Method Certificate of Completion with Merit.
This optional pathway provides practitioners who wish to further develop and document their clinical reasoning with an opportunity for additional professional recognition, while allowing all participants to integrate the practical learning from the programme into their clinical practice at a level appropriate to their professional needs.
Educational Resources
Participants receive access to:
• Online learning platform
• Exclusive educational video lectures
• Clinical support materials
• Professional discussion group
• Monthly supervision sessions
• Ongoing educational updates
• Opportunities for future collaborative clinical and research initiatives
Research, Teaching & Clinical Context
The Bramati® Method is informed by more than two decades of clinical practice, research, and postgraduate education in osteopathy.
Dr Iona Bramati was awarded a PhD for her research investigating the effects of visceral osteopathic techniques on gastrointestinal function and behavioural presentation in autistic
children. Her doctoral research was conducted in collaboration with the University of Westminster and King’s College Hospital London, with endorsement from the National Autistic Society (NAS) and support from the British Naturopathic and Osteopathic Association.
The programme reflects an ongoing commitment to clinical observation, patient safety, interdisciplinary collaboration, and research-informed osteopathic education. It encourages reflective practice and contributes to the growing body of knowledge surrounding integrative osteopathic approaches to complex neurodevelopmental presentations.
In 2006, Dr Bramati commenced her doctoral research at the University of Westminster, London, in collaboration with the British College of Osteopathic Medicine. Her research investigated the effects of visceral osteopathic techniques in autistic children presenting with gastrointestinal symptoms, in collaboration with King’s College Hospital London, supported by the National Autistic Society (NAS) and sponsored by the British Naturopathic and Osteopathic Association.
In 2014, her work received the Elsevier New Researcher Award at the 10th International Conference on Advances in Osteopathic Research (ICAOR10) in recognition of her pioneering research in this field.
Dr Bramati is an international lecturer, postgraduate educator and clinical tutor in paediatric and visceral osteopathy.
She has taught and collaborated with institutions including:
• University College of Osteopathy (UCO), United Kingdom
• SOMA – Istituto di Osteopatia, Milan, Italy
• Panta Rhei, The Netherlands
• OSD, Germany
She was also Chair of the 10th International Conference on Advances in Osteopathic Research (ICAOR10), held in São Paulo in 2014, and coordinated the participation of Brazilian osteopaths within the healthcare teams supporting the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
About the Programme Director
Dr Iona Bramati, PhD
Dr Iona Bramati graduated in Osteopathy and Naturopathy from the British College of Osteopathic Medicine (BCOM), London, in 2001. Following graduation, she founded IBCcare Clinic, where she continues to practise as Clinical Director.
Early in her career, she joined the Osteopathic Centre for Children in London, treating newborns, children and postnatal mothers. She also became part of the osteopathic team at St John & St Elizabeth Hospital Maternity Unit, working alongside the internationally recognised obstetrician and gynaecologist Dr Yehudi Gordon.
Throughout her professional career, Dr Bramati has completed extensive postgraduate education in cranial and structural osteopathy. She is currently undertaking advanced
postgraduate studies with the Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM), USA, expanding her expertise in Functional Medicine and integrative approaches to chronic health conditions.
Founder of Autism Health Hub® and Developer of the Bramati® Method
Dr Bramati is the Founder and Director of Autism Health Hub®, an international educational platform dedicated to postgraduate education for healthcare professionals interested in integrative approaches to autism spectrum presentations.
She developed the Bramati® Method, an educational framework that supports osteopathic clinical reasoning through the study of neurovisceral regulation, gastrointestinal function and multidisciplinary care.
Today, Autism Health Hub® delivers postgraduate education internationally through online and face-to-face programmes, providing structured certification and continuing professional development while fostering an international network of healthcare professionals committed to ethical, evidence-informed practice.
Selected Peer-Reviewed Publications
Dr Bramati has authored and co-authored peer-reviewed publications that have contributed to the scientific literature on osteopathy, gastrointestinal function, autonomic regulation and autism spectrum presentations. Her work has been published in internationally recognised journals and continues to support the development of research-informed osteopathic education, including:
• Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies
• International Journal of Osteopathic Medicine
• SM Journal of Psychiatry and Mental Health
• Journal of the American Osteopathic Association
Publications
• BRAMATI-CASTELLARIN, I., PATEL, V. and DRYSDALE, I.P. Faecal Calprotectin and a Twenty-Four-Parameter Questionnaire in Autistic Children with Gastrointestinal Symptoms. SM Journal of Psychiatry and Mental Health. 2017; 2(1):1009.
• BRAMATI-CASTELLARIN, I., PATEL, V.B. & DRYSDALE, I.P. Repeat-measures longitudinal study evaluating behavioural and gastrointestinal symptoms in children with autism before, during and after visceral osteopathic technique (VOT). Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies. 2016.
• CASTELLARIN, I.B., DRYSDALE, I. & PATEL, V. Evaluation of behavioural and gastrointestinal symptoms in autistic children after visceral osteopathic treatment. International Journal of Osteopathic Medicine. 2013; 16, e13–e14.
• CASTELLARIN, I.B., HUCKLEBRIDGE, F., PATEL, V.I. & DRYSDALE, I. Effect of osteopathic treatment on the gastrointestinal system function of autistic children. International Journal of Osteopathic Medicine. Volume 13, Issue 3, September 2010, Page 120.
• MATT et al. Visceral Factors in Rehabilitation & Health. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies. 2016; 20(4):920–925.
• KING, H. Eye Contact, Appetite, and Vomiting Improved in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder After Visceral Osteopathic Technique. Journal of the American Osteopathic Association. 2016; 116:324–325. doi:10.7556/jaoa.2016.064
International Conference Presentations
Dr Bramati has presented her research as an invited speaker and scientific contributor at leading international osteopathic, paediatric and interdisciplinary conferences throughout Europe and South America. These presentations reflect the continued development of her research and the Bramati® Method within the international osteopathic community.
Conference Presentations
• 2018 – Viscerale osteopathie bij leer en gedragsproblematiek. Congress Osteopathy in Children, Antwerp, Belgium.
• 2018 – The Possible Role of Visceral Osteopathy in Behavioural Conditions such as Autism. International Conference in Paediatrics and Osteopathy.
• 2018 – Sensory Integration in Children: A Possible Osteopathic Approach. I.A.P.N.O.R. International Conference, San Benedetto del Tronto, Italy, May 2018.
• 2016 – Repeated Measures Longitudinal Study Evaluating Behavioural and Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Children with Autism Before, During and After Treatment. ICIAMUPS Conference, Utrecht, The Netherlands, September 2016.
• 2015 – Effects of Osteopathic Treatment on Gastrointestinal Function in Autistic Children. International Conference in Paediatrics and Osteopathy, Berlin, Germany, November 2015.
• 2014 – Calprotectin, M2-PK and Lactoferrin Concentrations in Autistic Children with Gastrointestinal Symptoms Measured Before, During and After Visceral Osteopathic Techniques. ICAOR10, São Paulo, Brazil, November 2014.
• 2014 – Relationship Between a Biochemical Marker and Questionnaires in Autistic Children with Gastrointestinal Dysfunction. ICAOR10, São Paulo, Brazil, November 2014.
• 2012 – Evaluation of Behavioural and Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Autistic Children After Visceral Osteopathic Treatment. ICAOR9, International Conference of Osteopathic Research, London, United Kingdom, September 2012.
• 2012 – Role of Osteopathy in Autistic Children Presenting with Gastrointestinal Problems. IDOR Institute for Research and Education, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, April 2012.
• 2011 – Visceral Osteopathy in Children with Autism. First International Congress of Osteopathy, Lisbon, Portugal, February 2011.
• 2010 – Effect of Osteopathic Treatment on Gastrointestinal Function in Autistic Children. ICAOR8, International Conference of Osteopathic Research, Milan, Italy, May 2010.
• 2008 – Effect of Osteopathic Treatment on the Gastrointestinal System Function of Autistic Children. National Autistic Society International Conference (Poster Presentation), London, United Kingdom, September 2008.
• 2002 – Effect of Visceral Osteopathy on Gastrointestinal Abnormalities in Children with Autistic Disorders. 3rd International Conference on Advances in Osteopathic Research, 16–17 February 2002.
Dr Bramati continues to lecture internationally, supervise postgraduate healthcare professionals, and contribute to the development of research-informed osteopathic education through Autism Health Hub® and the Bramati® Method. Her work remains focused on advancing clinical reasoning, interdisciplinary collaboration, and patient-centred care for complex neurodevelopmental presentations.
Professional Statement
The Bramati® Method is an educational framework developed to support osteopathic clinical reasoning, palpatory assessment and integrative clinical observation in complex neurodevelopmental presentations.
This postgraduate programme is intended exclusively for qualified healthcare professionals practising within the scope of their professional registration and applicable regulatory standards.
The programme does not claim to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Rather, it provides an evidence-informed educational approach that encourages practitioners to integrate osteopathic principles, reflective clinical reasoning and multidisciplinary collaboration into patient-centred care.
Participants are expected to exercise independent clinical judgement and to work collaboratively with patients, families and other healthcare professionals where appropriate. All clinical decision-making remains the responsibility of the treating practitioner.
The Bramati® Method continues to evolve through ongoing clinical observation, research, interdisciplinary dialogue and a commitment to the highest standards of patient safety, professional ethics and postgraduate education.
Who Is This Programme For?
This postgraduate programme is designed for:
• Qualified osteopaths.
• Registered healthcare professionals with an interest in integrative approaches to neurodevelopmental presentations.
• Practitioners seeking postgraduate education in complex clinical reasoning and neurovisceral regulation.
Flexible Payment Options
To make the programme accessible, payment can be made in:
• One instalment
• Two instalments
• Four instalments
Join the Autism Health Hub® Professional Network
Graduates become part of an international community of healthcare professionals committed to advancing safe, ethical and research-informed osteopathic practice.
The Professional Network offers opportunities for continuing education, interdisciplinary collaboration, clinical discussion and participation in future research initiatives supporting the ongoing development of the Bramati® Method.
Website of Dr. Iona Bramati:
Apparaat
Google
Outlook (online)