The changes in my son since using RMT have been amazing, something that simply cannot be put down to maturity. Now that I have a greater understanding of how retained reflexes can impact a learner, as a teacher, I can understand why so many children may have difficulties with their learning. Coming to the School Readiness Course has given me an insight to the children I teach. By addressing their retained reflexes through effective, but fun, activities and movements, a child’s learning can be supported – and not by repeating tasks that up until then have not been successful.
I used RMT activities with my class for the last half term of the year and even in that time, I saw children change. I never knew that so many actions I saw in class are related to the retained reflexes. The child, who for most of the year, I had nagged to sit up straight and not rest their head on their arm or the table, was sitting up straighter. The child at the back of the class who constantly fidgeted, was still wriggly, but less so. The child who would sit with their feet wrapped around the chair legs or would perch on the seat with the foot tucked under them, was sitting with their feet flat on the floor. Through addressing hand-reflexes I began to see changes in presentation and handwriting.
RMT isn’t just about changing a child’s posture, it has the potential to develop their confidence and self-esteem, some behaviour issues, the speed in which they can work, how they think and how ideas can be developed into pieces of work, how they learn and how their work is presented. Every child is different so the benefits that will be reaped from RMT will be different for every child. I am excited to see what happens when I use RMT right from the start of the new school year. — A. Roe (Who has now been appointed as SENCO in her school)
Our son had terrible sleep problems as a young child and was tested for ADHD. He struggled to concentrate or sit still at school. He has hypermobility in his joints, which made it physically difficult to hold a pen and he and also could be extremely silly at school and at home, though he has always been a very kind boy. In Year 3 he had to be given his own ‘office’ to work in and he was behind in most areas. We tried RMT as we were grasping at straws and thought it couldn’t do any harm. Some results were immediate. We did not tell the school that we had started, but a few weeks into the programme in the Summer Term, his teacher asked to see me (these meetings had always been negative!) to ask if something had happened at home, as he seemed more focused in class and was working better. The teacher even re-wrote his end of year report to reflect significant changes.
At the end of Year 4 we stopped RMT, as our son received his end of year report where he is now on track in most subjects and ahead in a couple. He is still ‘working towards’ in PE, but had always been at least a year behind. His co-ordination and ability to hold a pen etc improved considerably over that time. His core strength and flexibility in his back also improved, although we still have some work to do here with an osteopath. In my opinion, our son’s development and progress at school was significantly improved by RMT and he is generally so much calmer at home, though he can still behave like an idiot at times! Gaynor was incredibly patient with our son in the sessions and was very flexible and understanding with our time pressures. It seems important that you do commit to doing the exercises several times a week, but Gaynor kept the time needed relatively short at only 5 minutes or so per night. Our son could choose which ones he wanted to do, which he liked. RMT has changed our son’s life for the better. — J. D. (August 2016)
Our Son had experienced difficulties in his development emerging from babyhood, being diagnosed with Autism aged 7yrs old. As a baby he struggled to wean, had sensory issues and many dislikes and fears; this developmental delay lead to frustration, difficulty in organising himself, with his communication and language disorder hindering his ability to form relationships. Strategies that we and school implemented were partially successful but there were still these ongoing issues. We heard about RMT through a friend and within a month of starting the exercises we saw such incredible changes in him we asked Gaynor if she could also start seeing his younger brother! His special interests which created barriers to friendships started to diminish, he made massive leaps in his mathematical understanding which had been a massive struggle throughout school and his fears are lessening month by month. His and his brother’s maturity has continued to grow under Gaynor’s care and experience in the area of RMT. — A.G (September 2016)
At the beginning of July 2015 I contacted Gaynor asking if she could see my sons. We had used Rhythmic Movement Therapy (RMT) a few years earlier to help my eldest son with writing problems and it had helped enormously. I just felt that he needed a bit more help and that maybe my youngest son would benefit a little bit too from the movements.
Move forwards 16 months later and our family life has improved way beyond any of our expectations. My boys are so much more confident, happy and settled.
My youngest who is 10 years old seemed to be very together and confident 16 months ago. But there were a few frustrating habits that worried me, he used to chew his jumpers, his coat, duvet and beloved teddy. He could read, but he was slow at making good reading progress and he was struggling a little with his writing. He was a very fussy eater, and at times when he seemed frustrated at not being able to do something, he got quite shouty and angry.
My 13 year old, has always had difficulties with writing. He didn’t properly form his letters and start writing more than the odd sentence until the age of 8 years old. He is bright, articulate and a very confident reader, but he was still reluctant to write in lessons. At 12 years old he still needed someone to sit with him and help him with homework all the time. At times he seemed confident to other people, but he didn’t seem very confident or happy to us who knew him well.
Sitting here now I can’t quite believe the positive change that has happened to my boys, and how as a family we are all so much happier. My 13 year old son is now so much more independent. He sits and completes his homework on his own, only asking for help if he’s stuck. He is more confident, will try more activities outside of school and he is producing more quality work at school. My youngest son is calmer, making excellent progress at school and his writing has improved. His reading has come on, he no longer chews his clothes or favourite toys and he is beginning to eat a much wider range of food.
I remember first hearing about RMT and I wasn’t sure how undertaking movements could help things such as reading and writing. But having used the programme I have seen how rhythmic method can help. It has taken around 10 minutes a day for the movements to be completed, and It’s not always been easy to find the time. But I’m pleased that we’ve all persevered and found the time for the movements and kept seeing Gaynor, because the difference it has made to my sons lives, and to our family life has been so enormously positive.
Thank you so much Gaynor. — E.T. (November 2016)