Gentle dynamic Hands-on Movement lessons designed for your child’s Needs.
NeuroMovement® for Children in Santa Rosa, Ca.
You’re tired of people looking at your child through the lens of limitation.
You know that your child is much more than their medical diagnosis.
Is your baby recovering from a birth injury -such as a brachial plexus injury or cervical dystonia (torticollis)?
Did your infant experience a perinatal stroke?
Has your child been diagnosed with cerebral palsy?
Does your child have attention issues or sensory processing disorder?
Do you have a child diagnosed with a genetic disorder?
Have you been told that your child has developmental delays or learning disabilities?
Sound like your experience with your child?
Your child is struggling with figuring out new movements and meeting developmental milestones
Tired of feeling that the professionals see your child only as a diagnosis rather than seeing your child with potential and possibility
Ready to listen to your own intuition about your child’s treatment, and try something that is truly holistic and respectful of your child’s unique way of learning
Wishing that there was something more you can offer your child because you are no longer seeing change with the traditional treatments and therapies
Turning on your child’s Learning switch through movement with Attention and awareness
The Anat Baniel Method of NeuroMovement® wakes up the child’s brain to new possibilities in movement, thinking and action.
How Neuromovement® works with your child to overcome Brain injuries and Challenges
The Anat Baniel Method of NeuroMovement® for children is a cutting edge approach to treating developmental disorders based on the scientific principles of Brain Plasticity.
With this method the child is engaged in a Gentle Hands-On Kinesthetic Process that provides his or her brain the conditions and information it needs in order to begin Embodied Learning.
Through this Organic Learning process the child's brain has the opportunity to form new neural patterns that were missing due to their condition or interruption in development.
Once enough of these missing elements are in place, the brain of the special needs child starts to wake up and spontaneously begins to problem solve. The process of exploration that is inherent in every child begins to unfold.
Children with all types of conditions, abilities and prognoses figure our how to generate intention, initiate action, and move in new ways that he or she couldn't do before.
Each lesson is tailored to your child’s needs
NeuroMovement® sessions are referred to as Lessons as this method is considered a movement learning-based modality. The core principle of this method is to discover and respect how each child uniquely learns and problem solves.
Even children who are the same age with the same diagnosis will develop and organize themselves for movement and function in their own unique way and in their own time.
I design each NeuroMovement® lesson specifically for your child respecting their unique system and abilities. Each lesson focuses on function and movements that are within reach for your child’s current organization and development.
How NeuroMovement® is different from other modalities
The focus of many traditional therapies is to impose a prescribed protocol on the child in an attempt to help them meet a developmental milestone.
The problem with this approach is that there usually is no organic learning actually occurring for the child. These therapies attempt to make the child do something without them having the necessary developmental movement pieces for successful execution.
These therapies don’t actually meet the child where they really are developmentally and organizationally. So all the child ends up learning is a sense of frustration and failure, and to move with unnecessary effort.
In NeuroMovement® my focus is to see, feel, connect with your unique child and to meet them where they actually are.
In lessons with me I take delight in whatever your child’s brain has already figured out in terms of movement and functioning. It is from this entry point that we can then build upon those skills to continue to learn more complex skills.
I don’t focus on trying to make a child do something that they are not ready to do yet. Their brain does not yet have all of the necessary elements to organize a particular movement in meeting that prescribed developmental milestone.
I see what your child can do and then help them do what they can already do even better. They then become better problem solvers and more adept at building upon those skills.
As your child’s movement becomes more differentiated new neural connections form. As these new connections form changes occur in their ability to move, perceive, understand, initiate, think, and relate to their environment.
Here’s how we will maximize your child’s learning potential
What the Neuromovement® process looks like for you and your child
This process of organic learning is most effective when done in a concentrated manner through Intensives. Especially in the early stages of the process depending on the child's situation an Intensive or cluster of sessions is usually recommended.
I usually recommend starting with at least 3 consecutive lessons to begin with to see how your child responds to the work. After that I then will map out a program for your child and you that will both maximize the learning as well as work with your family’s scheduling needs.
An intensive usually includes 4-10 lessons at a time. There are usually two lessons scheduled per day with a break between each lesson over a period of 2-5 days. This cluster of lessons usually occurs once per month. The weeks in between intensives gives time for your child to integrate the new learning and build further on it within their familiar environments.
Working in this concentrated way is generally much more effective than one lesson per week. The lessons build on one another and the child’s learning and changes become amplified and more potent, very quickly transforming the child into an effective learner and problem solver.
What Lessons Look Like for you and your child
An important part of this process is that your child and you feel a sense of safety, connection and comfort throughout the lessons which means I can accommodate for whatever is needed in any given moment. So if necessary I can give a lesson with your infant or young child seated on your lap or even held in your arms if needing to feed. When the child is ready I will transition them to lying on a low “massage-type” of table. Sometimes the lessons may take place on a mat on the floor or in a seated or standing position.
Through respectful gentle touch, intuitive listening and empathic inquiry in a relaxed friendly environment I will guide your child through a hands-on kinesthetic process. I will hint to your child’s nervous system through subtle touch, movement, and verbal cues how to move in more expanded full-body functional motor patterns.
The lessons may incorporate games, toys, or books depending on where your child is developmentally and what function we may be focusing on. The lessons are designed to evoke your child’s attention and interest so I incorporate a fun and playful learning environment while integrating new functional movements.
I allot for a 60-minute session. The hands-on part of the session is usually no longer than 40 minutes as that is the extent that a child‘s brain is able to take in new information. The remainder of the lesson includes answering your questions and offering suggestions/coaching in how to incorporate the new learning and how to expand upon it while at home and in between sessions.
how to best prepare for your child’s lessons
It is best to dress your child in comfortable clothing that allows for easy movement. Please bring anything that will make your child more comfortable during the lessons such as favorite toys, books, bottle, etc. Young children usually get very hungry from the work so bringing a snack is also a good idea.
After lessons children can get very hungry and tired as their system is integrating the new learning and changes. I recommend that you plan for a mellow day on lesson days, and not schedule other therapies or many activities during the week your child is receiving lessons. The time between sessions is for your child to rest and integrate the work.
If your child is sick please call me right away to cancel the lesson. If you are sick and there is not another adult to bring your child to the lesson then please call me to reschedule. You will not be charged if cancelation is due to illness. For any other cancelation please give at least 48-hours notice or you will be charged for the first lesson in the Intensive.
Where the Lessons take Place
The lessons take place at my office near downtown Santa Rosa, California. I also do occasionally make some house-calls for local Sonoma County families if needed.
I’m here to help your child with…
Attention issues
Stroke
Cerebral Palsy
Developmental Delays
Sensory Processing issues
Autism spectrum
Brachial Plexus injury
Torticollis
Genetic Disorder
Hypotonia or Hypertonia
Traumatic Birth injury
Learning challenges
Reach out to see how this dynamic holistic Brain-Body-movement method can support your family.
Let’s wake up your child’s brain for potent learning and transformation
What parents are saying
“Only after one visit with Naomi I believe our daughter's response has been nothing short of miraculous. Yesterday alone, she rolled back to front a few times, pushed onto her hands and knees herself, started army crawling and pushed into sit all by herself. It is truly amazing.”
-A. Carl (Mother of a 7-month old daughter with Developmental Delays)
“We can't thank you enough, Naomi, for all that you have done for our son. I can hardly believe his progress from day to day. We are seeing a sweet little boy who was so frustrated by his uncooperative body, turn into a boy that is excited every day to see what else he can try.”
- J. Womersley (Mother of a 2 year-old with Developmental Delays)
“ABM NeuroMovement® plays a key role in our son's development. We look forward to seeing what he does next. With Naomi's guidance, we are confident that he will reach his greatest potential.”
- P. Wilson (Mother of a toddler with Jourbet’s Syndrome)
At the end of the day, I want you to know:
Regardless of your child’s condition - the sky of possibilities can open up for your child and your family when given the optimum learning opportunities.
Positive changes from Neuromovement
Imagine a life for your child in which their experience includes…
Reduced Spasticity and Chronic Muscular Contractions
Improved Mobility, Balance and Coordination
Greater ability to Regulate, Self-Soothe and Sleep
Clearer Communication and greater ability to Connect with others
More Enthusiasm and Curiosity for exploratory play and movement
Increased Capacity for Focused Attention
Expanded Self-Awareness
Calmer and Happier Mood
movement learning possibilities.
“Movement is the language of the Brain”
-Anat Baniel
Questions?
FAQs
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Since 1997 I have worked with diverse families and children in a number of therapeutic and educational settings as a clinical social worker, therapist and NeuroMovement® Practitioner.
For over 25 years I have had a Private Practice giving NeuroMovement® lessons to special needs and neuro-divergent children and their families across the Pacific Norhtwest, British Columbia, Denmark, The Bay Area and Sonoma County.
I have worked closely with Anat Baniel in various capacities over the years including helping her film and edit a number of videos of her work with special needs children; helping her organize NeuroMovement® workshops for parents and professionals working with children.
I was on the teaching staff and one of the Assistant Trainers for Anat Baniel's International Professional NeuroMovement® Training Programs for ten years.
I also worked at Anat's Center in San Rafael, California between 2018-2022 giving lessons to children whose families traveled from all over the world looking to make a difference for their unique child.
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To learn more about the Method go to https://www.anatbanielmethod.com/
For a worldwide listing of movement educators applying principles of brain plasticity to advance the Child With Special Needs, please go to http://www.neuroconnect.world/
To learn more about the method and The Nine Essentials for Brain Change I recommend reading Anat Baniel's groundbreaking book called KIds Beyond Limits.
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I charge $175 for a session. I accept cash, check, credit card, Paypal, Venmo or Zelle at the time of the Intensive.
Please note that I am unable to assign treatment codes, submit insurance claims, submit records or notes, or work directly with health insurance providers for NeuroMovement® sessions. NeuroMovement® is considered a learning-based approach, and not a medical modality in the traditional sense.
If requested I can provide you with a receipt indicating the number of sessions, the amount paid, and the description of services provided as “Neuromuscular Reeducation” for your own records.