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SN children

Here are some suggested organisations that offer expert advice on special needs.

Brain Gym

8 replies

MincePieFlavouredVoidka · 22/11/2011 21:01

I gave borrowed Smart Moves from our local resources library. It seems to give a great endorsement to the Brain Gym programme.

I wondered if anyone on here has used it as the book makes it sounds a little too good to be true. It sounds fab if it works.

OP posts:
Jerbil · 22/11/2011 21:08

My friend is a nursery teacher and advised me to do it with DS1. She thinks it's fantastic. I've yet to start with everything else he has to do.

tabulahrasa · 22/11/2011 21:13

The um, I hesitate to call it science, behind it is fairly nonsensical...but, in a school situation especially it's quite good for creating a wee break and concentrating pupils on to starting a task.

IndigoBell · 22/11/2011 21:27

BrainGym is one of many exercise programs which are good and which work.

MRZ (on the main primary ed board) - her son (ASD) used it and it helped.

Moominmammacat · 24/11/2011 14:12

My ds's junior school did it every morning. V. good for the dyspraxic ones in particular and gives them time to wriggle and have a little break.

moondog · 24/11/2011 14:15

No evidence at all for its efficacy (apart form 'evidence' on the website but that is self generated and not up to scrutiny).

Probably useful as a little break and a change of scene but then so is a nice walk-and that's free.

IndigoBell · 24/11/2011 14:49

But taking a break and taking a walk don't help promote communication between the left and right side of the brain.

Nor do they stimulate different bits of the brain.

A child with ASD, ADHD, Dyspraxia, Dyslexia etc probably has an underdeveloped left cerebellum and right pre-frontal cortex. And probably avoids anything that stimulates them. So they won't naturally get stronger.

So just like a child with poor fine motor skills needs to be encouraged to do activities that use their fine motor skills, children need to be encouraged to do activities that require them to use their cerebellum and pre-frontal cortex.

Doing exercises that require the cerebellum to work could hugely help the child - but it's all very, very hard to measure and to prove.

Studies on programs that take months or years to benefit, and may have any of a number of benefits, are really hard to design. A child's reading may improve, or they may be less anxious, or their social skills may improve, etc. The study becomes really, really hard to design to Ben Goldacre's exacting requirements.

No 'scientific evidence it works' does not necessarily mean it doesn't work. No scientific evidence it works is not the same as 'evidence it does not work'.

moondog · 24/11/2011 15:06

There is no evidence of its efficacy. That is the standard by which I a professionally obliged to evaluate something that sells itself as an effective intervention. What people choose to di with their own time andm oney is a differnet matter. Nice wine and good quality cosmetics and shoes do me a lot of good.

This is rather good.

Contoversial Therapies for Developmental Disabilities: Fad, Fashion and Science in Professional Practice

Nigel1 · 24/11/2011 20:51

Brain Gym is a very discredited programme. See
www.braingym.org/response

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