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The assignment of AOTA CEUs does not imply
endorsement of specific course content, products, or
clinical procedures by AOTA or indicate AOTA approval
of a certification or other professional recognition.
This course is offered for 1.8 AOTA CEUs /
18 Contact Hours (Introductory level;
Occupational Therapy Process: Evaluation, Intervention)

The Masgutova Method® is a set of programs focused on the restoration and maturation of primary movements, reflexes, coordination systems, skills for optimal performance of natural mechanisms, developmental processes, brain functioning, and sensory-motor integration. You can read more about Reflexes and MNRI HERE.

Watch an overview of how MNRI works

The Mission of the Svetlana Masgutova Educational Institute (SMEI) is to provide health, wellness and educational professionals, parents, and caregivers with non-invasive techniques to address maturational, developmental, and life challenges.

This is part 1 of a 2-part course. For those in the MNRI® Core in Training program both parts
1 and 2 of this course must be completed.

Course Overview

The Dynamic & Postural Reflex Integration course provides the foundation for professionals and parents to understand the importance of primary motor reflex pattern maturation, why a reflex might not be integrated, the impact a non-integrated reflex can have, and the MNRI® techniques designed to assess and integrate reflexes. Primary motor reflex patterns emerge along a predictable developmental continuum, with each successive reflex emerging to secure a child’s survival and protection as their system matures and advances. When adequately engaged, each reflex anchors neurologically more deeply a physiological, emotional and psychological sense of security, freeing an infant, child, and/or adult to focus on exploring, learning, and fully advancing through all stages of primary motor reflex maturation. It is through this complete integration process that primary motor reflex patterns form the foundation for related motor reflex schemes (sitting up, crawling, walking, etc) to mature and for each of us to reach our full potential over time, anchoring emotional and behavioral regulation, and advancing motor, communication, and cognitive learning. Congenital disorders or traumatic events that occur in utero, at birth, or anytime after birth can interrupt the activation, maturation and integration of a primary motor reflex pattern. Depending upon the number of reflexes impacted and the maturational deficits of each impacted reflex, a broad spectrum of life challenges can occur.

The MNRI® Dynamic and Postural Reflex Integration course explores:

• The general MNRI Method and the role played by the Dynamic and Postural Reflex Integration Program
• The progression primary motor reflex patterns beginning in utero and continuing through life
• The role primary infant reflex patterns play in establishing subsequent related motor reflex schemes and the development of advanced motor, communication and cognitive abilities and emotional and behavioral regulation
• MNRI techniques to assess, pattern and integrate primary motor reflex patterns
• How to create MNRI primary motor reflex integration programs for individual clients
• How to incorporate use of MNRI Dynamic and Postural Integration course content into daily client and home practice

The MNRI® Dynamic and Postural Reflex Integration course explores:

• The general MNRI Method and the role played by the Dynamic and Postural Reflex Integration Program

• The progression primary motor reflex patterns beginning in utero and continuing through life

• The role primary infant reflex patterns play in establishing subsequent related motor reflex schemes and the development of advanced motor, communication and cognitive abilities and emotional and behavioral regulation

• MNRI techniques to assess, pattern and integrate primary motor reflex patterns

• How to create MNRI primary motor reflex integration programs for individual clients

• How to incorporate use of MNRI Dynamic and Postural Integration course content into daily client and home practice

Learning Objectives: MNRI® Dynamic and Postural Reflex Integration-Part 1

1. Describe the Masgutova Neurosensorimotor Reflex Integration (MNRI®) Method
2. Explain its scientific origins
3. Describe the role of a reflex and its sensory, motor and central nervous system mechanisms.
4. Describe primary motor reflex patterns, the subordinate role each plays in the maturation of more complex related motor reflex schemes (sitting-up, crawling, etc), the development of learned motor, communication and cognitive abilities and in achieving potential across an individual’s lifespan.
5. Describe the effects of a non-integrated reflex on the brain-body system as well as the effects on receptive and expressive language skills.
6. Describe the impact of: 
   • Trauma on primary motor reflex patterns, the protective role immature reflexes play, and the negative impact protection can have on an individual’s ability to self-regulate, learn, develop and grow.
   • Stress and negative learning experiences on the integration of reflexes necessary for reading, writing, eating, core stabilization, visual/motor integration, speech/language development and auditory processing.
7. Define, classify and demonstrate (through in class demonstration) the body’s motor coordination systems, the corresponding brain level responsible for managing each system, and the implications for reflex integration.
8. Describe the importance of primary motor reflex patterns and identify, define and classify each pattern
9. Explain the research of Pavlov (1927), Simonove (1987), Kornorsky (1970) and Vygotsky (theory of Cognitive Development as reprinted in 1978).
10. Compare and contrast dynamic and postural motor reflex patterns found in the coronal, sagital and axial body plane coordination systems.
11. Analyze the reflex integration Process:
    Reflex circuit => Reflex actions => Basic pattern => Variant patterns => Intentional movement => Skill development => Motor planning
12. Define the links with facilitating and opposing reflexes
13. Describe the connection to emotional and behavioral regulation and personality development.
14. Describe reflexes as the fundamental foundation for optimal motor, communication and cognitive learning and growth.
15. Describe how to implement MNRI assessment techniques to determine the integration state of each primary motor reflex pattern.
16. Explain the norms of automatic motor development based on the assessment metrics presented in Shirley’s Scales of Motion Development (1986) and Frankenburg and Doss’s Scale of Motion Habits (1986).
17. Explain, demonstrate and identify:
    • The MNRI Method parameters important to determining the integration state of each reflex
    • The possible range of integration states for each primary motor reflex pattern including integrated (typical maturational pattern), dysfunctional (atypical, immature) and pathological (absence of any pattern or presentation incorrect or wrong pattern).
18. Demonstrate through supervised hands-on-application the ability to conduct an MNRI assessment and adequately determine the state of each primary motor reflex pattern.
19. Demonstrate how to implement the MNRI techniques to integrate each primary motor reflex pattern.
20. Analyze and define the Foot/Leg Reflex Patterns for Babinski and Bauer Crawling and its effect on receptive and expressive language skills.
21. Demonstrate the effective integrative exercises for Babinski and Bauer Crawling.
22. Analyze and define the Core or Gross Motor Coordination Reflex Patterns for Spinal Galant, Spinal Perez, Bauer Crawling and its effects on auditory processing,
23. Demonstrate the effective integrative exercises for Spinal Galant, Spinal Perez, Bauer Crawling and its effect on auditory processing, communication and expressive language.
24. Analyze and define the Reflex Patterns for Trauma, Protection & Survival including Moro Embrace, and Fear Paralysis.
25. Analyze and define the Reflex Patterns for Emotional Stability, Fear, and Depression including Bonding, Spinal Perez, Fear Paralysis, Moro.
26. Demonstrate the effective integrative exercises for Bonding, Spinal Perez, Fear Paralysis, Moro.

Course Agenda:

Day 1

Hour 1: Movement as basis of Natural Development & Masgutova Method® of Neruosensorimotor Reflex Integration
Hour 2: Reflexes as the Neuro-Physiological Basis for Development of Infant Movements & Body Motor Coordination Systems and Brain Levels.
Hour 3: Explain MNRI® Reflex Assessment
Hour 4: Dynamic and Postural Infant Reflex patterns Integration-Right/Left Motor Coordination System.
Hour 5: Dynamic Reflexes: Robinson Hand Grasp Reflex & Hands Pulling Reflex
Hour 6: Babinski Reflex

Day 2

Hour 1: Postural Reflexes: ATNR and Bonding
Hour 2: Integration of Reflex patterns within Right-Left Body Sides MCS.
Hour 3: Dynamic and Postural Infant Reflex patterns Integration-Up-Down Motor Coordination System
Hour 4: Dynamic Reflexes: Bauer Crawling
Hour 5: Moro Embrace Reflex
Hour 6: Postural Reflexes and other Reflexes: Pavlov Orientation Reflex

Day 3

Hour 1: Integration of Reflex patterns within Up and Down Body Sides MCS
Hour 2: Dynamic and Postural Infant Reflex patterns Integration-Front-Back Motor Coordination System
Hour 3: Dynamic Reflexes: Spinal Gallant and Spinal Pereze Reflexes & Postural Reflexes: Symmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex
Hour 4-5: Integration of Reflex patterns within Front-Back Body Sides MCS
Hour 6: Implementation of Reflex Development and techniques in therapy practices 

Course Format:

• This course will be offered online. Access links to the course will be provided prior to the first day of class.
• This is the first part of a two-part class. You must take the second part of the class MNRI® Dynamic and Postural Reflex Integration-Part 2 which includes further theory on reflexes and supervised hands-on practice to earn a certificate of completion for the full MNRI® - Dynamic and Postural Reflex Integration requirement

Course hours: 18