The Start of a Movement?

2 Families struggling with the affects of

Autism, ADHD, PDD NOS, and Anxiety Disorder

 

By Elizabeth Rick

 

Claire is 6, and diagnosed with Autism.  George now 13, was diagnosed with ADHD, PDD NOS and Anxiety Disorder.  Nevertheless, parents can’t believe the new sense of order, and new freedoms as they watch their children learning, behaving and moving towards independence.   As both mothers said together,”This is huge.  This is magnitude.”

 

They credit a 10 Minute Bedtime Movement Program.

 

 I am an educator with a passion for teaching academics through movement.   I am committed to helping children take in/process/and express themselves clearly and beautifully.   Now, I ‘m fascinated with a movement program called Rhythmic Movement Training (RMT), which has a long trail of successful case studies helping young and old with learning and behavioral challenges (see websites below).  Here’s the story of Claire.
Claire was 5 years old when she was diagnosed with High Functioning Autism through the Autism Society of St Paul, MN.  Her mother, Sarah, describes the Autism as follows:

1. She had trouble coming out of her world
2. Unable to communicate, except through a script in her brain
3. Unable to make true eye contact, except to stare in your direction
4. Resistant to touch
5. Auditory sensitivity –  easily over stimulated, brain could not filter things out
6. Lots of melt downs, trouble transitioning, hitting and screaming

 

Besides Autism, Claire could not sleep through the night. Every night, Sarah dealt with Claire’s behaviors for 2 hours past bedtime, sleep for a few hours, then up again.  

In August 2008, a friend, Anna Nameny, trained in RMT, visited and did several gentle rocking movements on Claire.  Very soon her whole body started to relax.  Anna said,”We were seeing a different child.”  That night at bedtime, Claire fell asleep within minutes.  

Ever since, Sarah has been guiding her daughter with RMT for 10 minutes at bedtime, 5-7 nights a week.  As of November 2009, a little over one year since starting RMT,

here are the results:

1. Increased calm during the day, able to sleep peacefully at night ( even on a family vacation, in a new place, in a different bed)
2. Increased ability to communicate her feelings – able to respond appropriately in conversations –  making direct eye contact
3. Increased focus and attention
4. Better social skills – increased overall happiness
5. Has progressed from assisted RMT to independently doing RMT. Claire to her mother, “I have a surprise for you.  Don’t come up here.”  Mom peeked in once to watch.  Then Claire came out of her room and said,”TA-DAH! I did all my movements myself! ”

At Claire’s 6 year check-up the pediatrician remarked,”I can’t believe it.  This is not the same kid I saw a year ago.”
To other parents with children like Claire, Sarah would like to say, ”This is an awesome way to avoid medicating your child…  something I was afraid of doing because I knew she had these needs … they were anxiety related…I was sad that she couldn’t calm herself.  And I thought, am I going to have to give my 4 year old sleeping medication just so she can rest?  She’s going to crash.  What am I going to do?    But I’m so thankful.”

What is  Rhythmic Movement Training?

According to Dr. Harald Blomberg, a Swedish Psychiatrist, “Rhythmic movements are done on the floor and mimic in many ways the developmental movements that babies and infants naturally and automatically make as they grow.”  He goes on to say, “When we are born all parts of the triune brain have been set up but are not yet working properly.  In order for all the parts of the brain to function as a unit they must be developed and linked up to each other.  This is achieved by the rhythmic infant movements…”1.
RMT was developed in Sweden by Kerstin Linde.  Dr. Harald Blomberg brought it to the U.S. in 2005.  He has used it in private practice for over 20 years and has found it particularly successful with clients with ADD/ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorder.
References:

1.  Rhythmic Movement Training, Level One by Dr. Harald Blomberg

For more information visit:
www.haraldblomberg.com, click English and  www.rhythmicmovement.com
www.moveplaythrive.com
Contact:    Mary Gazca  612-870-8785 or email  la.casita.montessori@juno.com
           Elizabeth Rick  763-479-2566  or email  edreducation@yahoo.com

Elizabeth Rick is the mother of 4 young adults.  She resides with her husband in Independence, MN.  Besides her Elementary Education Licensure, she is trained in Health Kinesiology and Rhythmic Movement Training.  She also directs dance residencies for several public schools – teaching academics through the joy of creative movement.