Tag Archives: reflex integration

Integrated Learning Concepts: Reflex Integration for Postural & Ocular-Motor Skills

June Smith, OTR/L’s presented the Saturday Seminar Integrated Learning Concepts: Practical Strategies to Promote Reflex Integration with Postural/Ocular-Motor Based Learning

June Smith, OTR/L’s May 4th seminar entitled: Integrated Learning Concepts: Practical Strategies to Promote Reflex Integration with Postural/Ocular-Motor Based Learning clearly demonstrated how integration of primitive reflexes provides a foundation for the development of postural and ocular motor skills that affect learning.

June has broad experience as an occupational therapist and has an insatiable appetite for learning. As evidenced in her presentation, she is able to skillfully apply what she has learned to her practice. Many attendees noted how beautifully June weaves her knowledge and experience into her practice to develop innovative, effective treatment strategies. She is a collaborative therapist who enjoys sharing her passion with others. Currently, she is a clinician and mentor at South Shore Therapies, a private sensory integration clinic in Massachusetts. She has developed a Vision Clinic with Developmental Optometrists to promote visual efficiency in those with learning challenges. June has lectured nationally on Brain Gym ® and Integrated Learning concepts.

Four primitive reflexes were discussed in depth today: Moro Reflex, Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex (TLR), Symmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (STNR), and the Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (ATNR). June provided general guidelines to determine when a primitive reflex is adaptive and when it is maladaptive. She discussed treatment considerations relevant to each primitive reflex. It was helpful that June had many clinical examples through videos/photos showing how primitive reflexes that are not fully integrated manifest themselves in children and videos/photos of treatment strategies that help integrate the reflexes. Throughout her talk, she drew from her Brain Gym® training, Svetlana Masgutova (Reflex Integration-MNRI), Sheila Frick, and others.

For a child who displays the TLR reflex long after it is typically integrated, June said we may see a host of associated behaviors such as the Moro Reflex where the child is toe walking due to an excessive extensor pattern; saccadic eye movements with reading difficulties; a poor sense of direction, developmental coordination disorder (DCD), Postural Ocular Disorders; hypersensitivity to vestibular activity where the child has motion sickness, dislikes gym class, and/or may have gastrointestinal issues; and has difficulty with extension prone or with neck flexion in supine. In general the child has poor balance of extension and flexion when the reflex is not integrated. Her treatment strategies include “going with the reflex” with fluid movement and gradually adding demands as tolerated, and finally working “against” the reflex. June’s treatment suggestions included activities involving facilitating head movement in all planes, linear vestibular input, using an 18″ Gymnic ball in 90/90 hip and knee flexion, and activation of the vestibular system.

June’s suggestions for therapeutic and reading materials include Rappin’ on the Reflexes: A Practical Guide to Infant Reflexes; See It. Say It. Do It!, whose author is a Developmental Optometrist; Developing Ocular Motor and Visual Perceptual Skills; and Understanding and Managing Vision Deficits: A Guide for Occupational Therapists, 3rd Ed.

June is a vibrant, generous, and gifted speaker whose knowledge and clinical expertise is extensive. She makes the application of what she has learned to the clinical setting seamless. Encouraged by June, attendees eagerly shared treatment strategies from their own clinical experiences. June’s audience was energized by her discussion and walked away with new treatment tools for immediate use!

Comments from attendees were very positive:

“Video and picture examples, interactive, and great descriptions of treatment activities/considerations.” – Kristina C., Occupational Therapist

“Great crash course in identifying and integrating reflexes. It is easily integrated into my own practice. For a complicated topic, very effortlessly presented.” – Hannah D., Occupational Therapist

“As an OT student this seminar was a great learning opportunity.” – Paige H., OTS

“Great introduction to topic – makes me feel like I want more!” – Anonymous, Occupational Therapist

Thank you, June!

Filomena Connor, MS, OTR/L
May 4, 2019

Developing the Brain from the Bottom Up: A Sensorimotor Approach

May’s Therapro Saturday Seminar was a follow-up to last month’s seminar entitled: Developing the Brain from the Bottom Up! Pam Formosa, MA, OTR/L returned with her colleague and Co-Founder of Brain Fit Academy in Hopedale, MA, Christina Schlupf, MA Licensed Educator and ABA technician. They presented: The Listening Program™ and Reflex Integration: A Powerful Combination!

Brain Fit Academy uses a neuro-developmental approach to help students improve overall processing through Reflex Integration and to teach students skills to empower them for success. The Listening Program ™ (TLP), based on the work of French ENT, Alfred Tomatis in 1944, has developed over the years and today, Alex Doman carries on Tomatis’ work, focusing on using sound, music, and technology to improve brain function. TLP can be described as an auditory stimulation therapy that uses music to train the brain by strengthening neurological pathways with the outcome of improving learning, communication, information processing, and more.

Pam and Christina clarified the essential differences among hearing, listening, and auditory processing. They explained that hearing is a passive function, listening is a dynamic function, and auditory processing is also a dynamic function that involves the brain using what it hears to make sense of what is being heard. With a thorough review of the auditory system, we learned how sound frequencies affect brain and body function in a hierarchical manner. Pam and Christina shared an interesting fact about embryonic development: as early as 16 weeks gestation, the fetus responds to the mother’s voice and sounds outside the womb through bone conduction.

TLP utilizes transmission of vibrations through bone, called “bone conduction.” It involves listening to personalized music 5 days per week typically over the course of 20-40 weeks. TLP uses headphones to transmit sound through air (ear canal to the cochlea) and bone (vestibular system) simultaneously. The merits of bone conduction can be seen in several crucial areas including improved vestibular processing, which manifests itself in improved postural control, improved sensory awareness; speech and language development; and stress reduction and regulation of the parasympathetic nervous system. The potential benefits of TLP are astounding!

Pam and Christina presented a case study of an 11 ½ year old child with a clinical diagnosis of Auditory Processing Disorder to illustrate how they might use Reflex Integration in conjunction with The Listening Program™ to achieve positive therapeutic outcomes. Using formal checklist inventories to assess and quantify 6 areas of listening as a baseline of function before beginning treatment, and then again, following treatment, was examined. Changes in the child’s function were quantifiable and impressive between weeks 2 and 20 of treatment. Areas of significant improvement included Receptive and Expressive Listening and Language, Auditory Processing, Listening to the Body, Behavioral and Social Adjustment, Level of Energy, and integration of the Moro, TLR, and ATNR Reflexes.

The Listening Program ™ is one of many tools you’ll find in Brain Fit Academy’s toolbox that can help remediate neuro-developmental immaturity. Used in conjunction with Reflex Integration, it is a powerful therapeutic modality with great potential to help students achieve improved functioning through brain “re-organization.”

Attendees shared their enthusiasm about the seminar:

“The information was enlightening and applicable to my work with preschool students with Autism.” -Jo-Ann F., Teacher

“Understanding elements that we may be missing, yet can relearn. Hope at the end of the tunnel.” – Anonymous, Parent

“Excellent information & will leave with ready to use activities/tx.” – Jennifer P., Occupational Therapist

“I think teachers need to understand the basics of Primitive Reflexes. This can really impact a child’s learning and behavior in the classroom.” – Ann Marie H., Teacher

Thank you, Pam and Christina!

Filomena Connor, MS, OTR/L