In this case study, a young athlete struggled with stress and frustration that was impacting his performance, not only at school but on the ice rink. Our work addressed active reflexes that were causing his overstimulation and anxiety, utilizing rhythmic movement exercises to channel his focus and calm.
The act of crawling helps introduce bilateral coordination, where both sides of the body working in tandem. While this infant milestone recently fell off the CDC ‘checklist,’ the fact remains that the movement is not only significant but foundational to our development.
Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (ATNR) involves a primitive movement pattern that serves to create the first sensory motor connections to the right and left hemispheres leading us to an understanding that we have both a right and left side.
It wouldn’t be the Fourth of July without a host of firework-fueled celebrations. The loud noises and unpredictable flashes of light are also incredibly stimulating, especially in a crowded, often hot setting. Navigating this holiday with auditory processing and sensory challenges involves planning and an understanding of the impact of our earliest reflexes.
Our earliest form of learning is through self-exploration and play. A report by the LEGO Foundation found that children show significantly greater gains in literacy, motor, social-emotional development and math skills in an environment that allows a mix of free play with instructional learning.
When I’m not with clients or in our Elmhurst space, I’m often delivering custom learning opportunities on the road. When a team of professionals, or even a family unit, learns together, meaningful connections are made through the collaborative experience.
Bedwetting, or nocturnal enuresis, has been attributed to a number of causes but generally occurs when the body is unable to feel when the bladder is full. When immature reflexes slow the development of nerves that control the bladder, as well as muscle tone in the region, a child’s brain may not receive those bathroom signals while in a deep sleep.
Spinal Galant is a reflex that establishes our ability to move side to side, and subsequently, the ability to move upright with a stable spine. Muscle tone in the lower spine, and stiffness in the lumbar region of the back, impact posture and postural development throughout life.
In this case study, we examine how active Moro and immature TLR impacts a client’s vestibular processing. The young girl experienced moments of fear and dysregulation during everyday activities like driving in the car and taking a bath. Our mobility work gave her a greater sense of control over her body and comfort in her day.
In Thrive Therapy’s workshops, we compliment cognitive learning from our reflex integration textbooks with crucial hands-on demonstration. The opportunity to feel movement in your body and to demonstrate an exercise in a partner’s body brings rhythmic movement therapy to life.
