Welcome to the Thrive blog
This is Elizabeth Hickman, owner and founder of Thrive Therapy. I scour medical journals, recent research and websites for information to share. Sometimes I curate breaking news on the neuroplasticity of the brain, nutrition’s impact on neurological health and other times I write posts that may give you a laugh. Everyone needs a little levity from time to time. Check back here for updates or sign up for email updates.
No Longer Frozen
UncategorizedThe song “Let It Go” plays such an important role in the Disney movie, capturing Elsa’s character development from moments of isolation to soaring anthems that can’t help but make viewers cheer.
Finding His Voice
UncategorizedCharlie did not speak until he was two. One day, his mom recalls, he selected an ‘m’ block and ran to her, following it with an ‘o’ and another ‘m.’ As a toddler, he was choosing moments to show pictures and letters as symbols for expression and yet, his voice did not follow.
Forming Connections
UncategorizedAn infant is born with 86 billion neurons waiting to be linked. Through our reflexes, movement occurs and that in turn enables us to build and strengthen those linkages within our brain. Connections build and grow between the base of the brain upwards from our brainstem, the part of the brain fully formed at birth. As a baby develops, movement evolves from primitive reflexes to more advanced motor skills, sending signals that strengthen the neural network, creating connections that increase awareness and control over time.
Our Babkin Reflex
UncategorizedThe Babkin Reflex is the opening of the mouth that occurs with a stimulus in the hand. This is closely associated with both Root/Suck and Infant Palmar Grasp, movements that support hand to mouth behavior.
In the Palm of our Hands
UncategorizedDo you remember those stress balls that sat on every desk, offering a doughy outlet for a tough day at work? Today, you can’t miss the multitude of calming toys, fidget spinners and tactile strips on the market designed to quell anxiety and redirect our behavioral responses. In stressful situations, these may be acceptable coping mechanisms but provide only a short-term fix for a more complex challenge.