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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 0.6 AOTA CEUs /
6 Contact Hours (Introductory level;
Occupational Therapy Process: Evaluation, Intervention)

Course Hours: 6

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

Skin, our largest organ, forms the boundary between our physical being and the outside world.  It also houses the NeuroTactile system, which allows the body to access NeuroTactile sensations from the outside world. The skin possesses eleven different NeuroTactile receptors to distinguish the broad array of NeuroTactile stimuli input encountered by the body. This set of NeuroTactile receptors helps to inform and prioritize incoming sensory information for the central nervous system to process.  Once processed, the central nervous system directs the body’s actions in response to ever-changing NeuroTactile conditions. Due to congenital issues or trauma (in utero, at birth, or anytime after birth), NeuroTactile system challenges can result, causing any one of the following conditions.

• Hyper-sensitive NeuroTactile System also referred to as NeuroTactile defensiveness, which results in a negative, over-reaction to touch that typically would not be a problem.  A person with a hyper-sensitive NeuroTactile system will often respond negatively to hugs, having their hair brushed or nails clipped, and complain about various textures, seams, tags and avoid wearing any form fitting clothes.  A simple skin scrape can elicit a reaction expected for a far more debilitating wound.
• Hypo-sensitive NeuroTactile System –  often does not respond to NeuroTactile input that would cause most people to act.  A deep cut, a hard push, or other forms of physical harm lead to little or no reaction. NeuroTactile input important to taking action and avoiding harm is often missed by a person with a hypo-sensitive NeuroTactile system, leaving them at risk for great harm.  People with hypo-sensitive NeuroTactile systems often seeking more intense sensory stimulation in an effort to register sensation.
• Non-Functioning NeuroTactile System is simply not having the NeuroTactile system work at all for the individual.

The reactions of a person with either a hyper- or hypo-sensitive NeuroTactile system, often seem bigger or smaller than normal conditions would dictate.  Such disproportionate reactions are often an indication that an individual’s NeuroTactile system is not appropriately engaged and integrated. The MNRI® NeuroTactile Integration program uses neuro-tactile techniques to stimulate different receptors in the skin, working to appropriately engage and integrate the NeuroTactile sensory system within the complete mind/body system. When the NeuroTactile system is integrated, the brain stem relaxes defensive reflexes, and opens the entire system to an experience of safety in which emotion and behavioral regulation improves and healthy motor, communication, and cognitive development can proceed. 

Professionals, parents and caregivers interested in learning more about the Masgutova Method and its various programs are encourage to attend this course early on, given the fundamental role it plays in emotional and behavioral regulation, and overall maturation and development. The NeuroTactile Integration course explores the physiology and psychology of the NeuroTactile system, the developmental effects of over- and under-sensitive receptors, and the importance of an appropriately integrated NeuroTactile system to the process of integrating all motor reflex movement and patterns.

The MNRI® NeuroTactile Integration course explores:

• The general MNRI® program and the role played by the NeuroTactile Integration Program
• NeuroTactile integration and how it relates to motor reflexes and other important body systems
• The neurophysiologic and psychological dynamics of the NeuroTactile system
• The role NeuroTactile integration plays in establishing a foundation for motor, communication and cognitive development, and emotional and behavioral regulation
• MNRI® techniques designed to assess, activate, and integrate NeuroTactile sensitivities    
• How to create MNRI® NeuroTactile Integration programs for individual clients
• How to incorporate use of MNRI® NeuroTactile Integration course content into daily client and home practice

Learner Objectives:

Upon successful completion of the six hours of online instruction, participants will:

1. Explain the Masgutova Neurosensorimotor Reflex Integration (MNRI®) Method
2. Describe and demonstrate the role NeuroTactile integration plays in motor reflex integration and advanced learning
3. Explain the neuro-physiological and psychological dynamics of the NeuroTactile sensory system
4. Demonstrate the ability to identify, explain and classify the types of neurons and divisions found within the skin, while exploring how the nervous system functions as a whole to control and coordinate the body systems
5. Demonstrate the ability to identify, explain and classify the seven types of sensory cells found in the peripheral and central nervous systems, and the role each plays in processing sensory stimuli and establishing an individual’s relationship to self, others and the general environment
6. Demonstrate the ability to compare, contrast and differentiate between conscious and subconscious somatic and specialized senses and how each impacts learning in various settings and social situations
7. Demonstrate how each activates, re-educates and integrates NeuroTactile receptors and the proprioceptive system
8. Describe the impact integration can have on improving function and learning
9. Demonstration and apply how to apply each of the NeuroTactile technique variations, including stretching, and rotation to:

a.  Activate physiological and structural connections between skin, muscles, tendons and bones
b.  Alleviate the negative physical and psychological effects of sensory stimuli
c.  Reduce stress at the physiological level, alleviating stress responses that would otherwise inhibit reflex integration required for core                 stabilization, improvement in joint mobility, range of motion and motor coordination
d.  Demonstrate and apply additional NeuroTactile program techniques to:

                  i.    Explain a kinesthetic sense of appendage length, size, and boundaries

                  ii.    Provide an awareness of the sagital, axial and coronal planes of body coordination, coronal planes of body coordination and core                                     integration

                  iii.    Develop the clinical skills necessary to generate body awareness and enhance spatial skill development

   10. Explore, evaluate and develop strategies to incorporate the use of the MNRI NeuroTactile Integration course Part One content into daily client and home practice.

Course Format:

This course will be offered online. Access links to the course will be provided prior to the first day of class.

Course hours: 6