Episode Highlights with Sargent Goodchild

​Neurological Reorganization and Development

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The human developmental process includes sequences of growth that must be thoroughly mastered in specific order for optimal neurological and physical development. When a child is prevented from developing through these specific developmental stages for a variety of reasons, it can interrupt their ability to learn, their social skills, and regulation of emotion. 

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There are 3 major mobilities that a child goes through during these processes of development:

1. Crawling - military pattern with a 2 beat rhythm in a cross lateral pattern. Alternating arms and legs should be simultaneous.  Movements can be “clapped” out in a rhythmic fashion. Energy should come from the legs, angle should be flexed 90%, as 80% of the force comes from the legs.  Knee bend first, then ankle flexes. This generates a heel-toe gate. Issues with gate for instance toe walking are caused by improper crawling development, where the ankles did not flex due to improper leg use, and so the child did not develop proper heel-toe walking skills. 

2. Creeping - on all fours

3. Pulling to a stand/upright skill - walking, running, skipping etc.

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Age of early development does not matter at all, it is the correct sequencing that is crucial and should be the main concern. Sequencing should be as follows:

1. Rolling

2. Crawl on stomach (around 3-8 months)

3. Leg and arms extended downward, weight of heels and arms - Resembles how a cat sits.

4. Creeping on all fours (around 8 months- 1 year)

5. Standing/Cruising with help of furniture

6. Walking 

7. Running, skipping etc,

Areas of Assessment include: (in order of importance)

1. Vision 

2. Sense of Touch

3. Mobility

4. Hearing

5. Language Skills

6. Reflexes

7. Manual functions (hand and wrist function)

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Neurological Reorganization uses repetitive movements to remap your the brain’s neurological structure. A good example of this is to imagine a traffic jam; as the traffic moves around road work or damaged areas of the road other pathways area created, instead of the original “planned pathway.” With Neurological Reorganization, we can strengthen existing neural pathways around these damaged or underdeveloped areas within the brain. This helps restore neural function and allows for natural neural development.

In children and adults as well Neurological Reorganization can be used to treat a variety of learning disabilities or delays in development, which can include non-progressive brain injuries as well. Some examples include:

• Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)

• Attention Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

• Attachment and Bonding Disorders

• Anxiety or depression

• Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

• Cerebral Palsy

• Concussion or other head injury

• Developmental delays and learning disabilities

• Dyslexia

• Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)

• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

• Oppositional Defiance Disorder (ODD)

• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

• Reaction Attachment Disorder (RAD)

• Stroke