Introduction
When a baby is born, primitive reflexes are the first part of the brain that develops. These reflexes are really only active a short time and replaced by postural reflexes which aid in balance control, coordination and sensory motor development. When primitive reflexes do not integrate well or are retained, then delays in development occur. So if your child has retained primitive reflexes this may contribute to poor coordination, toe walking, asymmetrical gait, midline crossing difficulties, low muscle tone, hunched shoulders, sensory motor deficits, impulsivity, sleep disturbances, poor fine motor skills, focus and concentration issues, social and emotional delays, and cognitive and learning disability. The brain controls all thinking, emotions, and movement so in order to understand how autism spectrum children think, behave and function, we need to understand how they develop movement, posture, and muscle control.
The following chart lists the different types of primitive reflexes: Source: Brain Balance Achievement Centers
The two most notable methods of reflex integration are:
1) Masgutova Neuro-sensory-motor Reflex Integration (MNRI)
MNRI was introduced in 1989 by Svetlana Masgutova, PhD, a Russian psychologist who has well documented the connection between neurological development and reflexes. Her ongoing research and development of more than 20 years and over 3000 children has brought her significant notoriety in the field. She is well known for her programs and protocols that target brain organization in order to restore and mature the primary movements, reflexes, coordination and skills of the child. Some of her therapies include neuro-structuring, tactile integration, facial reflexes, archetype movements, audio-visual reflexes and re-patterning of dynamic and postural reflexes. Her primary goal is to improve brain functioning and sensory-motor-integration by stimulating the reflex patterns because motor patterning stimulates brain development. 2) Rhythmic Movement Training (RMT)
RTM originated in Sweden by a movement training specials and began in the 1990s with Dr. Harald Blomberg, MD, a Swedish psychiatrist in the USA. This reflex work integrates the retrained or underdeveloped infant reflexes that are involved in learning challenges such ADD/ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia, writing problems, focus and comprehension difficulties. RTM targets the neural network pathway growth and myelination (myelin sheath) in the brain as well as muscle tone, posture and neck and head control. RTM has also been successful with emotional imbalances, fear and anxiety, behavioral problems all associated with autism spectrum disorder.
Related Sites
The Thinking Moms’ Revolution Description: Autism, Reflex Integration and The Brain: Building New Connections With MNRI, A Parent’s perspective.
Rhythmic Movement Training International Description: Rhythmic Movement Training (RMT) is a movement based, primitive (infant or neo-natal) reflex integration program that uses developmental movements, gentle isometric pressure and self-awareness to rebuild the foundations necessary to help overcome learning, sensory, emotional and behavioral challenges.
Books
Tools
Parent Forums/Blogs
Some forums require you to sign in to Yahoo or Facebook to locate forum names.
Forum/Blog Name: Masgutova Method Blog Description: This blog is part of the Masgutova Educational Institute.
Forum/Blog Name: Children with Challenges Description: This group is for parents of children with challenges and the professionals working with them who are using the Masgutova Method.
Consumer Corner
Community Library
Infantile Reflexes Gone Astray in Autism by Philip Teitelbaum,Osnat B. Teitelbaum, Joshua Fryman, and Ralph Maurer Description: In the cases presented in this paper plus others the authors hypothesize that movement disturbances in infants can be interpreted as reflexes gone astray and may be early indicators for a diagnosis of autism.
The Masgutova Method of Neuro-Sensory-Motor and Reflex Integration: Key to Health, Development and Learning, S. Masgutova, Edited by S. Wenberg, M.A and M. Retschler M.Ed Description: Through her own research on over 3,000 children over the past 20 years in Russia, Poland, USA and Canada and her practical experience with more than 27,000 clients worldwide, Dr. Masgutova has expanded her conceptual understanding of these reflex phenomena and developed her own sensory-motor integration program.