We are excited to share this information for you which was recently posted on PubMed

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23214200

The impact of rehabilitation carried out using the Masgutova Neurosensorimotor Reflex Integration method in children with cerebral palsy on the results of brain stem auditory potential examinations.

In 2003 I had the honor to sponsor a course given by Dr. Masgutova.  From this very first introduction to her Masgutova Method®, I knew that the information she had researched and developed would provide teachers, parents, therapists and persons with challenges a new opportunity for positive growth. One of the theoryies in Dr. Masgutova’s approach that offered new information to me, was that each reflex has its own developmental dynamic and purpose and reflex patterns often reveal the reasons for functional delays.  As an educator and mental health provider, this offered a new set of tools that I could use when working with my teachers, therapists, and clients.  Now with this new information we did not need to rely on just a named diagnosis, but we had an opportunity to truly look at each person as an individual and to identify the effect of how a poorly integrated reflex had affected the overall physical, mental, cognitive, and behavioral development of a person with challenges and/or recorded disabilities.

 Another theory that Dr. Masgutova presented in this first course that I took, was that we use specific strategies to bring the poorly integrated reflex to maturation.  We do not use any technique to inhibit a reflex; we bring that reflex as close to its natural, genetically given response as possible.  Dr. Masgutova calls this bringing the reflex into its integrated state.  Often due to some insult or trauma to a developing reflex pattern in utero, during birth, during the first two years of life, or some other stressor or trauma at a later age, the basic reflex patterns do not integrate at the appropriate age or at the correct stage of development of the brain.  The reflex remains active at an age that it should not be active.  Dr. Masgutova found that when we suppress or inhibit the action of the unintegrated reflex and suppress the natural automatism of this pattern, it will just come back in another action, which may cause more stress to the person with a challenge.  This inhibition of the reflex pattern into another motor response may function adequately until it comes under stress.  Under stress it will move back into its original unintegrated pattern and not serve as a solid baseline for growth.  When we use the MNRI® procedures taught in the Masgutova Method, including how to assess which reflexes are unintegrated, we can allow the natural brain-body motor circuit to develop and allow the identified reflex to mature.  The Masgutova Method used for the integration of reflexes is based on the development of the nerve-net transmission system and therefore is not limited to age.  This method allows for the natural makeup of a reflex to change from its hyper or hypo active status to one that is able to interact with the brain-body system.  This change offers the possibility for positive, stable growth.

My experience with the Masgutova Method has been if you want the person with a challenge or disability to develop self-regulation and a stable baseline for positive growth, use the MNRI processes to integrate the needed reflex and let go of the unproductive practice of inhibition of the reflex and resulting behavior.

Patty Shackleford, Ph.D., NCSP

Thank you replying to the Blog.  I have been checking in every day and am happy and very excited to start the training as I am on medical leave from teaching until the end of December and will be going on salary continuance until I retire.  I turned 60 in October of last year and have not been well for a long time, but somehow the doctors could not pin-point the problem sooner.

 In January of this year, I was diagnosed with Graves Disease (Hyperthyroidism) and have decided to take care of myself and step out of teaching.  I am a Special Education teacher with a Masters Degree from the University of Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada.  I have always enjoyed working with children with a variety of challenges and have learned so much from them.

 Once I became a Brain Gym instructor I found that I had more success dealing with the many children on my caseload.  It was only when I completed MNRI® course with Pamela Curlee that I realized that there was a missing link. I have many wonderful stories of success with my private clients and have written up reflective journal entries to submit one day.

Thank you for attaching the MNRI® Educational Levels of training.  Could I start by taking the MNRI course that Pamela is teaching in Lexington Kentucky in November?

 I would like to invest my time and effort into the training, but am wondering if you have any bursaries that I could apply for.  My husband is a retired clergyman and continues to be my best "guinea pig" every time I complete a new course.  He is a very good client and is able to give me his honest feedback on the Reflex Integration Exercises.  Exciting for me is that our fifth grandchild was born 3 days ago and I am visiting my son and daughter in law with my manual in hand (Integration of Infancy Dynamic and Postural Reflex Patterns).  Every time I notice a Reflex I become so intrigued and take pictures while explaining it to parents.

In Joy

Glenda