December 2019

Greetings,

Innate rhythmic and primitive reflex movements help speech and language develop in babies. Can these same
movements help even well after infancy?

Why do we see so often that "language explodes" for children who receive these movements? See this brief case study* by an SLP for one of many examples. Below, you'll find three reasons, including supporting research, for why doing the innate rhythmic and reflex movements from the Brain and Sensory Foundations course can help with speech challenges. *Thank you Carrie Eskenazi, SLP for this case study.

3 Reasons Why Infant Movements Can Help with Speech Challenges

1. Natural Development: Human beings are designed to respond to movement, especially the innate movements of infancy. Read supporting research about how these innate neurodevelopmental movements promote speech and language as a natural process of development.

2. Mature Cerebellum: Harald Blomberg, MD, one of the developers of Rhythmic Movement Training (RMTi), considers the infant rhythmic movements to be excellent for helping to promote speech. According to Dr. Blomberg, one reason these movements work so well for speech development is that they mature the cerebellum, a part of the brain with direct links to the speech centers in the cortex. Case studies also indicate that these innate rhythmic movements may also help adults with speech loss due to brain injury such as stroke.

3. Mature Brainstem/Muscle Tone: Another reason these movements can work well to promote speech is that they mature the brainstem. A mature brainstem can then help develop and monitor muscle tone, one of its many jobs. With proper muscle tone, the muscles of the mouth and tongue are more able to make the sounds required for speech. A mature brainstem also helps us focus.

What I LOVE is these movements have global effects. At the same time they are helping with speech, there are also many other huge positive changes.

Check out this outstanding Before/After chart below! This boy's life is forever changed. See full case study here.

Thank you for your interest in these exciting movements!

Blessings and Happy Holidays to you and your family.

Warmly,
Sonia Story

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