The Roadmap From Learning Disabilities to Success. Kathy Johnson, MS Ed

Transcription

1 The Roadmap From Learning Disabilities to Success Kathy Johnson, MS Ed 1

2 Kathy Johnson, MS, Ed Graduated with Masters in Education, Curriculum Development and Instructional Technology Started working with students in 2000 Now, I do a lot of training of trainers, giving professional development, so I need YOU to help all those who need it 2

3 Building Blocks 3

4 We have been doing the 6 primitive reflexes daily since October. (My group consists of 3rd, 4th and 5th graders who are in the bottom 25% when looking at data.) Most are sped kids but we have some others). The amount of growth is awesome as we look at the January data points. At a meeting with the superintendent and assistant superintendent where we were looking over the data of the lowest students in the school, I told him about my group and invited him to come watch! He was impressed with the growth in my students. (even the ones who do not participate in my actual group, I have to do starfish and fingers when they come in my room for their reading support time) I had a bunch of teachers who were total nonbelievers and giving me a bit of a hard time, but an amazing principal and another amazing colleague who understands the basics, helped me persist. Well, that group of teachers all looked at their data and when they discussed who has made the most growth and questioned what is in common, it is this " skills group!!!!!!!! I can go on and on about how excited I am about how using what I have learned and how it is impacting so many kids in my school ( and me!). It is amazing work! Carmel, Brain Advancement Coach 4

5 How the Brain Works Billions of neurons Trillions of connections Making or breaking a connection/habit/reflex Repetition Daily for 21 to 30 days Myelin sheath Regression Made up of fat and water; fuel is glucose 5

6 Brain Development Brain Development and the Primitive Survival Reflexes Overview Retained vs. Integrated Ages to integrate Who can teach exercises Two ways to test How to integrate make changes in the brain Regression from trauma Research 6

7 Neuro-Development Fear Paralysis Reflex Moro Reflex Palmar Reflex Tonic Labyrinth Reflex Spinal Galant Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex Symmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex 7

8 Fear Paralysis Reflex Normally integrated before birth If retained, could result in: Lifelong anxiety Chronic fears Panic disorders Respiratory arrest Epilepsy/seizures SIDS May freeze when: Restraint of movement; Inversion Perception of shadows; Pain Sudden temperature change; Smoke Separation from mother; Unfamiliar environment Helplessness or hopelessness 8

9 Integration 7 Step Process From Movements That Heal, Harald Blomberg 1. Leg Swings 2. Side to Side Legs 3. Frog Legs 4. Knees Toward Chest 5. Cross-over Legs 6. Cross-over Arms 7. Head tilt 9

10 1. Leg Swings 10

11 2. Side to Side Legs 11

12 3. Frog Legs 12

13 4. Knees toward Chest 13

14 5. Cross-over Legs 14

15 6. Cross-over arms right 15

16 6. Cross over arms left 16

17 7. Head tilt 17

18 Moro Reflex Develops Prenatal to 4 months If retained, could result in: Motion sickness Poor balance and coordination, physically timid Visual-perceptual problems Fixation, excessive blinking, maintaining eye contact Light and Auditory hypersensitivity Allergies Adverse reaction to drugs Poor stamina, Hyperactivity followed by fatigue Dislike of change Hypoglycemia Anxiety, Mood swings, Difficulty accepting criticism Poor math concepts; reasoning 18

19 Palmar Reflex Develops Prenatal to 3 months If retained could result in: Poor handwriting Poor manual dexterity Lack of pincer grip Speech and articulation issues Makes mouth movements when writing or drawing Palm may be hypersensitive to touch 19

20 Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex Develops Prenatal to 4 months If retained, could result in: Poor posture and weak muscle tone Poor sense of balance Dislike of sports Visual problems convergence (causing problems with copying off board) Spatial problems (bumping into furniture, planning problems in written work) Poor sequencing skills (telling stories, sounding out words, math) Poor sense of time 20

21 Spinal Galant Develops Prenatal to 9 months If retained, could result in: Fidgeting Bedwetting Poor concentration Poor short term memory Sensory integration problems (hyper or hypo-sensitive in several senses) Auditory Processing Disorder Near focusing problems Difficulty with reading 21

22 Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex Develops Prenatal to 6 months If retained, could result in: Convergence and horizontal tracking problems Right-left confusion Visual-perceptual difficulties (b, d, p, q reversals) Difficulty skipping and marching Difficulty crossing the midline Mixed dominance Balance Poor handwriting Poor expression of ideas on paper 22

23 Symmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex Develops 6 to 11 months If retained, could result in: Poor posture and ape-like walk W leg position while sitting on floor Poor eye-hand coordination Messy eater Difficulty learning to swim Attention problems Vision issues: vertical tracking, convergence, and near focusing problems 23

24 What To Do Next? Maintaining Brains Everyday DVD Primitive Reflexes: Foundations for Learning Pyramid of Potential Academy: Foundations Course Pyramid of Potential, Inc. PO Box 3369 Saratoga Springs, NY