Autism Spectrum Disorders: Motor Cognitive Binding

Functional neurology and hemispheric integration therapy in the treatment of autism spectrum disorders at times uses a concept called the motor cognitive binding in the treatment of these children. This is based on the fact that balance and coordination are the number one comorbidity associated with these types of conditions. That is to say that the most common finding you see associated with autism spectrum disorders is a lack of coordination and difficulty with balance. If we look at the feed up system from the sensory receptors in the body to the brain we find out the motor system is a major input to brain stimulation. Proprioception, joint position sense and balance drive a considerable amount of electrical activity in the brain. One must know what position their body is in and where their body is in space in order to survive on this planet. Where your joints are, how fast your muscles or moving and where you are in relation to gravity are all important inputs that drive brain activity.

We know that the same pathways and  circuits that smooth and coordinate movements also smooth and coordinate thoughts. This is the essence of motor cognitive binding. I like to tell people in my presentations, whether I am speaking to parents or professionals, that if you look at a child on the autism spectrum and observe how uncoordinated his movements are, this gives you a window into how uncoordinated their thoughts might be. The beauty of this concept is that it works backwards also. By smoothing and coordinating their movements ,we tend to smooth and coordinate their thoughts also. So we can use this as a window into the child's mind in order to help him synchronized the timing and processing of sensory inputs and thoughts. This concept is partially responsible for some of the results of studies that one may read regarding the interactive metronome and improvements with regard to children with ADHD. Thus, any activity which improves coordination, rhythm, timing and targeting tend to be helpful in these cases.

This is a generality of course. Whether I am speaking to parents or professionals, I am always trying to make the point that specificity is the key with regard to helping these children. There are few generalities but each child tends to be different and unique with regard to his signs and symptoms. For this reason, when stimulating any sensory receptor in order to drive brain activity is imperative to be specific as you may inadvertently stimulate an area which can cause the child to regress or overstimulate that child and cause a regression also. Therefore, I always recommend before undertaking any type of activity involving a functional neurology approach that the patient consult with not only a doctor trained in functional neurology but also one that has experience dealing with children on the autism spectrum.

When dealing with children on the autism spectrum two common questions often come into play. They are "what does the child need to do to improve" and "what can the child do." The second question at times can be further subdivided into "what the child can or cannot do and/or what will the child do." Many times the children are capable of performing the exercises but are not willing to do so. This may be a matter of motivation and/or the child's way of trying to maintain some control over the situation. Therefore, many times we use rewards in order to motivate the child to cooperate. I always say that the parents are the ones that know the child best and here is where they can be a great help. Thus, you have to find appropriate motivation for the particular child you are treating at the time. Also, the doctor must take into account that is the child advances and matures in thought. Therefore the same reward that motivated him in month one may not be enticing in month two. One particular reward that we like to use if possible with children is the Whac-a-mole game. We tend to use this toward the end of the treatment session or between activities which the child finds difficult. This game tends to be fun for the child and serves as a dual purpose of requiring some coordination, rhythm and timing. There are unlimited ways to stimulate various weakened pathways and circuits that are found in these children. The job of the doctor is to find out which path way needs to be stimulated, design a therapy to stimulate that pathway and then match it to the child's level of function and behavior. We always like to make the therapy sessions fun so that the children do not dread coming in for therapy. This makes it pleasant for all involved. Below is a link to the Amazon site where the Whac-a-mole game can be purchased. Maybe you can use it to help motivate your child. Please remember that although this is a toy, if you're using it for therapeutic purposes it is not a toy.

http://www.amazon.com/Hasbro-40509-Whac-A-Mole-Game/dp/B0001GDP00

Dr Nelson Mane is a chiropractic physician certified in both chiropractic orthopedics and neurology. He has sub specialty training in childhood neurobehavioral disorders as well as vestibular disorders and electro diagnostics. He was one of 11 doctors out of 60,000 chosen by the American Chiropractic Association to start the first Chiropractic neurology board back in 1989.Dr Mane is a D.A.N (Defeat Autism Now) doctor. He is considered a pioneer in the use of Hemispheric Integration Therapy for the treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorders. For more information regarding Dr. Nelson Mane and his unique approach combining functional medicine with Hemispheric Integration Therapy go to www.Hitautism.com.

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http://www.hitautism.com

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