We interviewed Svetlana Masgutova PhD and Kathryn Carr about the MNRI® Masgutova Neurosensorimotor Reflex Integration. You can watch the replay below. Please note that Dr. Masgutova’s audio was often choppy, as she was joining in from a hotel in Croatia. You can find a copy of Dr. Masgutova’s slides here.
What Is a Retained Reflex?
Svetlana Masgutova PhD, renowned reflex integration specialist, describes a reflex as an “automatic response of the nervous system as a result of a trigger from a stimulus”.
As babies mature, they develop postural reflexes that are much more mature patterns of reflexes to help control balance, coordination and sensorimotor development.
In some cases, babies retain their primary reflexes past the first year of life because they fail to integrate them well with the rest of their nervous system.
These are called retained reflexes. This may happen when there is too much overload and stress for the nervous system to handle and process. Retained reflexes can be a sign of neurodevelopmental damage caused by trauma or an overload of toxicity and stressors.
In This Webinar
Dr. Masgutova’s life’s work is the Masgutova Method, also known as MNRI® (Masgutova Neurosensorimotor Reflex Integration). In this webinar, Dr. Masgutova and her biographer, Kathryn Carr, helped us to answer the following questions:
- What are primary reflexes?
- What are common causes of retained reflexes?
- How does trauma, including birth trauma, contribute to retained reflexes?
- What is MNRI®?
- How does MNRI® help to reduce symptoms in children with neurological and neurodevelopmental conditions such as autism, ADHD, SPD, developmental delays and learning disabilities?
- What are some examples of improvements in children who have undergone MNRI® therapy?
Please note that you will be asked to provide your email address at the 30-minute mark to continue viewing the replay.
About Svetlana Masgutova PhD
Svetlana Masgutova PhD is a world-renowned authority on reflex integration and neurodevelopment. Dr. Masgutova is an active founder of the U.S.-based Svetlana Masgutova Educational Institute for Neuro-Sensory-Motor and Reflex Integration, LLC, a global organization, and the International Dr. Svetlana Masgutova Institute in Poland.
She is the founder and lecturer of the U.S-.based nonprofit Masgutova Graduate School of NeuroDevelopmental Sciences. She is a member of the Lake Nona Performance Club’s Medical Advisory Council.
Since 1989, Dr. Masgutova has been leading research and has studied the influence of primary neurosensory-motor reflex patterns on different aspects of neurodevelopment and learning.
Her work focuses on the concepts of reflex integration processes to facilitate sensory processing, motor-physical and sensory-motor rehabilitation, emotional and post-trauma recovery, and education and neurodevelopmental enrichment.
Dr. Masgutova earned a PhD in psychology in 1988 in Russia. She also received a post-graduate degree in clinical neuro-speech development in Poland. She has authored more than 200 published works on psychology, education, neurosensorimotor reflex integration, and sensorimotor-based development.
To learn more about her and her work, please visit MasgutovaMethod.com and MasgutovaGraduateSchool.com.
About Kathryn Carr
During her journalism career, Kathryn oversaw the editorial team for Edible Cleveland, which was named one of Ohio’s top magazines. She also was a copy editor and designer for the Pensacola (Fl.) News Journal and collaborated on a newsroom reporting project that was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize.
Kathryn earned a master of fine arts degree in journalism from Kent State University in Ohio. She and her family live in northeast Florida, and she is passionate about helping to advance the awareness and visibility of the MNRI® / Masgutova Method.
Disclaimer
This webinar is not a substitute for medical advice, treatment, diagnosis, or consultation with a medical professional. It is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be relied on to make determinations related to treatment of a medical condition. Epidemic Answers has not verified and does not guaranty the accuracy of the information provided in this webinar.
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Sources & References
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Bell, C., et al. The Effect of the MNRI Method on Neurotransmitter Biomarkers of Individuals with Neurodevelopmental Disorders. Neuroscience and Medicine. 2019.
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Resources
Articles
Svetlana Masgutova Educational Institute: What can make reflexes dysfunctional.
Books
Blomberg MD, Harald and Dempsey, Moira. Movements That Heal, Rhythmic Movement Training and Primitive Reflex Integration. Independenly published, 2011.
Brandes, Bonnie. The Symphony of Reflexes: Interventions for Human Development, Autism, ADHD, CP, and Other Neurological Disorders. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, 2016.
Dennison, Paul E., et al. Brain Gym: Simple Activities for Whole Brain Learning. Edu Kinesthetics. June 1, 1992.
Goddard Blythe, Sally. The Well Balanced Child: Movement and Early Learning. Hawthorn Press, 2005.
Goddard, Sally. Reflexes, Learning and Behavior, A Window Into the Child’s Mind. Fern Ridge Press, 2005.
Carr, Kathryn. The Depth of Her Touch: A Biography of Svetlana Masgutova, PhD, Creator of the MNRI® Reflex Integration Program. Svetlana Masgutova Educational Institute. September 1, 2023.
A Collective Work. Reflexes: Portal to Neurodevelopment and Learning. Svetlana Masgutova Educational Institute, LLC; First Edition. January 1, 2015.
Masgutova, Denis, et al. Parents’ Guide to MNRI® Masgutova Neurosensorimotor Reflex Integration. Svetlana Masgutova Educational Institute, LLC; First Edition. January 1, 2015.
Masgutova, Svetlana, et al. Autism: Maximize Potential with MNRI® Reflex Integration. Svetlana Masgutova Educational Institute; First Edition. January 1, 2023.
Masgutova, Svetlana, et al. MNRI® Reflex Integration for Your Daily Well-Being. Svetlana Masgutova Educational Institute, LLC. January 1, 2020.
Masgutova, Svetlana, et al. Post Trauma Recovery: Gentle, Rapid, and Effective Treatment with Reflex Integration. 1st World Publishing. January 17, 2018.
Masgutova, Svetlana, et al. Trauma Recovery – You Are A Winner; A New Choice Through Natural Developmental Movements. 1st World Publishing. May 24, 2007.
Websites
Balance Brain Achievement Centers
Institute for Neuro-Physiological Psychology
My Child Will Thrive: Primitive Reflexes Cheat Sheet
