We interviewed Sonia Story about neurodevelopmental movement for optimal sensory processing. When most people think of movements to help the brain, they may automatically think of cross-pattern or crawling movements. However, there are a large number of foundational brain-based movements from infancy that come before crawling that many children are missing.
This missing neurodevelopmental movement — the innate, automatic movement that babies do in the womb and early infancy — can cause gaps in sensory processing. Because movement drives the growth of our brain and nervous system, children who lack this movement can suffer from an underdeveloped, immature neuro-sensory-motor system.
Most children with neurodevelopmental disorders are more likely to be missing neurodevelopmental movement. Neurodevelopmental disorders include:
Completion of neurodevelopmental movement can lead to:
- More brain maturity
- Better posture
- More strength
- Better focus
- Better impulse control
- Better emotional regulation
- Better sensory processing
- More calm
- Greater ability to communicate
- Easier learning
- Better balance
- Deeper sense ease within the body
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About Sonia Story
Sonia Story is the creator of Brain and Sensory Foundations for therapists, parents and specialists. She has earned certification in Rhythmic Movement Training™ and is a former RMTi consultant and instructor of RMT Levels 1, 2 and 3. She has trained directly with:
- Psychiatrist Harald Blomberg, MD and master kinesiologist, Moira Dempsey, founders of Rhythmic Movement Training™
- Jon Bredal, creator of Heal the Child
- Svetlana Masgutova, PhD and Pamela Curlee of Masgutova Neuro-sensory-motor & Reflex Integration program (MNRI)
- Bill Hubert of Bal-A-Vis-X
- O. Fred Donaldson, PhD, author and developer of the Original Play Playshops
Sonia has instructor-level training in Brain Gym® and has training in the Nurtured Heart Approach, by Howard Glasser. In addition, Sonia has studied numerous methods of Reflex Integration and has further training in Developmental Movement, Balametrics, Nonviolent Communication, and Storytelling with Children. Her website is MovePlayThrive.org
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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Cho, H., et al. Effects of Action Observation Training with Auditory Stimulation on Static and Dynamic Balance in Chronic Stroke Patients. J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis. 2020 May;29(5):104775.
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Grzywniak, C. Integration exercise programme for children with learning difficulties who have preserved vestigial primitive reflexes. Acta Neuropsychologica. 2017;15(3).
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Herbert, J., et al. Crawling is associated with more flexible memory retrieval by 9-month-old infants. Dev Sci. 2007 Mar;10(2):183-9.
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Resources
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.
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.
Websites
Balance Brain Achievement Centers
Institute for Neuro-Physiological Psychology
My Child Will Thrive: Primitive Reflexes Cheat Sheet
