Stimulating the Autistic Brain

Using Motor Patterning and Childhood Reflexes

Suzanne Amanor-Wilks article explains, “how cognition and movement are really the same” and how therapies for autism, leading to higher levels of behavior and learning are centered on movement, reflexes, posture and muscle control. Suzanne briefly explains the role of primitive reflexes, motor patterns, sensory-motor integration, and brain stimulation.

Dr. Svetlana Masgutova, who is developing a body of research showing how brain structure can change after a few hours of reflex integration therapy, is offering an extensive Family Education Conference for Children and Adults with Challenges and Gifts. The program is open to children with Cerebral Palsy, Autism, Asperger Syndrome, ADD, ADHD, Dyslexia, Down’s Syndrome, Developmental Delay, Speech and Language development delay, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, Emotional Instability, and other symptoms, such as chemical imbalances, metabolic disorders and allergies.

Reflex Integration Needed for Learning

Early motor development of a healthy child and child with Cerebral Palsy

Svetlana Masgutova's extensive article does a masterful job describing how a healthy sensory-motor system develops and what goes wrong with children with Cerebral Palsy. According to Dr. Masgutova, “Maturation of the nervous system involves the inter-connection of reflex circuits. The role of these latter phases is to expand the development of a reflex in order to create the groundwork for reflex integration with motor skills and abilities. This supports the development of academic skills such as elementary reading, drawing, writing, and calculating. Delayed reflex development, or the omission of any phase, adversely affects the formation of future skills.”