We interviewed Sonia Story about neurodevelopmental movement for optimal sensory processing. You can watch the replay below. Please note that you will be asked to enter your email address at the 30-minute mark to finish viewing the video.
What Is Neurodevelopmental Movement?
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
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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Resources
Articles
Gazca, M. Rebooting Development with a Rhythmic Motor Intervention for Children. Minneapolis: St. Catherine University, May 2012.
Move, Play, Thrive: Vision Doctor on Rhythmic Movements + Research about Visual Processing Issues.
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.
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.
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.
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
Rhythmic Movement Training (RMT)