Learning The Method
MNRI® Oral-Facial Reflex Integration Level 1
Overview
Course Overview
Oral-Facial motor reflexes first appear in infancy and remain active throughout life, supporting a broad range of needs essential to:
- Human survival, including breathing, rooting, eating and general neurovascular function
- Accessing and managing visual, auditory, and other sensory system input
- Different coordination systems in different combinations – hand, mouth, ear, eye, tongue, neck, and cranial coordination systems
- Nonverbal (emotional expressions and cognitive activity) and verbal communication (articulation)
- Language development (decoding and coding, phoneme/sound programming and performance) and comprehension
Facial reflexes not only affect function in the facial area, they also affect function though out the whole brain-body system. The MNRI® Facial Reflex Integration Program techniques work to activate and engage reflex actions, movements and patterns necessary for the maturation of more complex motor reflexes and the development of advanced communication and cognition. The engagement and maturation of facial reflexes can be impeded by congenital issues or traumatic events that occur in utero, at birth, or anytime after birth. Depending on the number of facial reflexes and related primary motor reflex patterns impacted, a broad array of associated life challenges can appear. MNRI Facial Reflex program techniques have been used with great success for children experiencing various delays in communication development.
MNRI Oral-Facial Reflex Integration course explores:
- The general MNRI Method and the role played by the Facial Reflex Integration Program
- Oral-facial reflexes and how they relate to primary motor reflex patterns and important body systems
- The role oral-facial reflexes play in establishing a foundation for motor, communication and cognitive development, and emotional and behavioral regulation
- MNRI techniques to assess, pattern, and integrate oral-facial reflexes
- How to create an MNRI oral-facial reflex integration home program for individual clients
- How to incorporate MNRI Oral-Facial Reflex Integration course content into daily client and home practice
Learning Objectives
- Describe the Masgutova Neurosensorimotor Reflex Integration (MNRI®) Method and the innate nature of the motor reflex system, with emphasis on the neurophysiology of oral-facial reflexes and cranial nerve function.
- Explain the sensory, motor, and central nervous system connections of oral-facial reflex patterns and their role in self-regulation, protective responses, and survival mechanisms.
- Analyze the physiological and psychological bases for primary oral-facial reflexes and their maturational stages that support oral-motor, speech, and feeding development.
- Differentiate between adaptive and maladaptive protective mechanisms influencing articulation, breathing, swallowing, and emotional regulation.
- Explore how oral-facial reflex integration supports brainstem organization, mirror neuron activation, and higher-level processes involved in communication and social interaction.
- Apply MNRI® techniques to improve oral-facial reflex development, symmetry, and functional oral motor skills to support feeding, communication, and daily activities.
- Demonstrate hands-on MNRI® oral-facial techniques designed to activate, normalize, and integrate reflex patterns influencing oral-motor, cranial, and postural functions.
- Apply individualized MNRI® oral-facial programs that address client-specific challenges in feeding, speech, or emotional-behavioral regulation.
- Integrate MNRI® oral-facial techniques into home programs to promote self-regulation, motor coordination, and participation in meaningful daily activities.
Course Agenda
| Hours 1-2 | MNRI and Oral Facial Nerves |
| Hours 3-4 | Role of reflex patterns and the maturational stages |
| Hours 5-6 | Oral Facial Reflexes and Brain Stem functions |
| Hours 7-8 | Oral Facial Reflex Patterns |
| Hours 9-10 | Facial Reflexes Integration Techniques |
| Hours 11-12 | Facial Reflexes Integration Techniques-Continued |
| Hours 13-14 | Oral Facial Symmetry and dynamics of each reflex pattern |
| Hours 15-16 | Archetype Movements-Necessary for development of Facial Reflexes |
| Hour 17 | Oral Facial Reflexes |
| Hours 18-19 | Facial Reflex Development |
| Hour 20 | Facial Reflex Integration Procedures-Facial Structure Preparation |
| Hours 21-22 | Facial Reflex Integration Procedures-Facial Structure Preparation and Techniques |
| Hours 23-24 | Implementation of Facial Reflex Integration |
Target Audience
Speech Language Pathologists, Speech Language Pathologist Assistants, Occupational Therapists, Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants, Nurses, Physical Therapists, Physical Therapist Assistants, Educators, Psychologists, Physicians, Massage Therapists, Mental Health Counselors, Other Health Care Providers, Parents.
Criteria for Certificate of Completion
• Full attendance to the entire course
• Participation in practice with instructor feedback
• Post course evaluation
CEU Information
Educational Institute LLC
2.4 ASHA CEUs
