Re: HANDLE & Masgutova Method

[Guest guest]

I would like to comment on the thread comparing HANDLE and the

Masgutova Method. (Keep in mind I know next to NOTHING about the

Masgutova Method). I am currently in training to become certified at

the Advanced level of HANDLE Practitioner. To the person who is a

screener, I have to agree that at the screening level we really don't

get into activities which address lower-level foundations such as

vestibular and tactility. I have to disagree that 'higher-functioning'

individuals may not see dramatic improvements with HANDLE after a day

or two. (Though the term 'higher-functioning' is relative and not

really descriptive of a person's neurodevelopmental profile). I worked

with a 'high-functioning' woman with diabetic neuropathy in her legs

and feet who prior to an advanced HANDLE activity had to walk with a

cane because she couldn't feel her feet. 2 days after a specific

HANDLE activity she could feel her legs again, was sleeping through

the night (the pain had been waking her in the night), and no longer

needed a cane. Of course she was also using other HANDLE activities to

strengthen her systems as a whole, but I believe it was a specific

activity that yielded the most benefit in this case. Obviously this

particular issue had nothing to do with reflexes, as it was medically

related to her diabetic condition.

I would love to hear examples of significant changes involving the

Masgutova Method, despite the evidence of stress on the nervous system

- as this does seem to contradict the HANDLE premise of 'stressed

systems do not get stronger'. Perhaps there IS some underlying

principle, or difference in the types of systems that are being

integrated, that makes a difference? I would be curious to know the

neurodevelopmental profiles of specific populations who make rapid

progress in reflex integration. Perhaps for some people there are

specific reflexes that get in the way of more rapid progress with a

HANDLE program? I see both instances, where some people have dramatic

results right away, and others seem to take a longer, more gradual

process over time.

Are there any video examples of the Masgutova Method in action?

April

> >

> > Hi Mohinder,

> >

> > I am a HANDLE screener, so not by any means a spokesperson for

> > HANDLE. I also have only taken 5 of Svetlana's courses,

> > participated as a practitioner and a parent in only one camp. I work

> > as a neuro-developmental therapist with challenged children. I am

> > not certain that HANDLE is aware of the Masgutova method per se, but

> > in recent years they are starting to pay more direct attention to

> > reflexes.

> >

> > The HANDLE philosophy of Gentle Enhancement is not followed by the

> > Masgutova Method. This is the most difficult area to reconcile

> > between the two neurological approaches that I have found. But it

> > is possible to follow the Gentle Enhancement process using

> > Masgutova. The Gentle Enhancement principal is not employed in a

> > Masgutova 10 day camp and yet the children experience profound

> > results. I am not a neurologist so I can not explain why this is

> > so. However, I don't think it disproves either theory, but rather, I

> > think it points to some underlying principal that is at work that

> > neither party has yet identified.

> >

> > I am not a Masgutova expert either and can only speak from my

> > understanding of the method. I will offer my rather simplistic

> > understanding: Masgutova works systematically with the nervous

> > system looking at sensory input and motor response. It works to

> > systematically strengthen the nervous system by waking up the

> > different components one by one. After the neuro-structure has been

> > awakened through a particular therapy which helps to at least

> > temporarily organize the nervous system, reflex repatterning

> > information is offered to the nervous system. Because the body has

> > been systematically prepared to receive the information, the nervous

> > system has greater success recognizing and using the information.

> >

> > Masgutova works on the theory that as each reflex is integrated, a

> > discrete package of genetic developmental information is released

> > into the system triggering the next stage of growth and development.

> > Evaluating a child with complex needs is a bit of an art. First the

> > therapist must determine what reflexes have not integrated and what

> > is in priority for triggering the next stage of growth and

> > development. But I find it is even harder than this...one must find

> > the reflexes in older children that they are the most interested in

> > working on or will give the greatest relief in the shortest period

> > of time. And almost all of it depends on the parent-child

> > relationship. But this is true of HANDLE as well.

> >

> > My over simplified explanation of HANDLE is that it works on a

> > neurological model where the vestibular system (semi-circular canals

> > in the inner ear) largely supports the rest of the nervous system.

> > Reflexes are acknowledged as playing a role and many of the HANDLE

> > activities help provide some repatterning information. They also

> > work on a principle of evaluating what aspect of the nervous system

> > is not pulling its load and try to strengthen that system and the

> > systems that support it. Because in their view, the vestibular

> > system is foundational to all other systems, such as proprioception,

> > kinesthesia, muscle tone etc., they work hard to strengthen this

> > system without overloading it. Gentle Enhancement is a theory that

> > states that a stressed system cannot get stronger. Therefore all

> > HANDLE activities stop when the client experiences a state change in

> > his/her nervous system.

> >

> > I have found the Masgutova method to be quicker and deeper with more

> > profound neurological challenges. That is not to say that HANDLE

> > would not eventually get the same results. I have found HANDLE

> > activities are stronger at " refining " some elements of the nervous

> > system. Such as waking up the sensory motor cortex, or working with

> > interhemispheric integration. I find some overlap, where both

> > methods are using similar approaches. This gives me confidence in

> > both approaches, because these two women have come at the same

> > problem from very different angles and have arrived at some similar

> > techniques. I believe the therapies are not exclusive and I use

> > both in my practice and with my child.

> >

> > If a higher functioning adult receives a day or two of HANDLE

> > activities they rarely feel an immediate difference in their

> > functioning. Higher functioning individuals who attend Masgutova

> > workshops, leave noticing improved integration and functioning.

> > This tells me we are working at the root of the disorganization and

> > approaching it in the most efficient manner possible.

> >

> > I hope this gives you a beginning of an answer to your question.

> > However, we both need to be aware that such simplistic responses can

> > easily misrepresent the life's work of two extremely brilliant

> > people, who both get amazing results with their clients. My dream is

> > to have the two women meet and share their perspectives. I think

> > they would both be stronger for it.

> >

> > Dawn

> >

>