I'd like a bit more information on the Feldenkrais Method® and Anat Baniel Method® Neuromovement® for Children.
The Feldenkrais Method® and Anat Baniel Method® Neuromovement® use a learning-based process with the understanding that our brain/nervous system is capable of taking in new information and reorganizing itself. It is well-documented that our brain is capable of change at any age and/or condition. We call this ability of the brain to change and adapt ‘neuroplasticity’.
Through touch and gentle movements, new sensory and motor information is provided to your child to help establish new connections in his/her motor cortex/brain. These sensory motor experiences will permit your child to feel movement in a way they are not able to achieve on their own. Since thinking and acting are always connected and never separated, there is always improvement in the cognitive abilities of the children I work with. The outcomes are always positive and complimentary to other therapies.
We're new to the Feldenkrais Method® and Anat Baniel Method® Neuromovement®, how many visits would you recommend for our child?
The best way to explore how the Feldenkrais Method® and Anat Baniel Method® Neuromovement® will help to move your child forward is to schedule a Let’s Get Started Introductory Package of 3 sessions which includes:
- An initial consultation – 50 minutes which includes a 25 minute initial physiotherapy assessment and a 25 minute treatment session
- Plus 2 additional therapy sessions (40 minutes each).
The 3 appointments are scheduled within the same week for a good reason. This gives both you and me a helpful and quick opportunity to assess if or how the treatment will work. It’s also good to quickly build a relationship between myself and your child.
Since both the Feldenkrais Method® and Anat Baniel Method® Neuromovement® are learning-based therapies, it’s far more effective to have a few sessions within the same week (versus once a week). The same is true with learning any new tasks and in most children’s case, it would relate to new ways of moving and functioning.
The Let’s Get Started Introductory Package is designed to support 3 days of intensive learning for your child. Most parents notice positive changes after the first session and then we quickly build on that the next day and so on.
How long are the therapy sessions?
Each therapy session is 40 minutes long. The actual hands-on time varies depending on the attention span of your child. Keep in mind that both the Feldenkrais Method® and Anat Baniel Method® Neuromovement® are learning-based therapies, the learning ceases once the child has had enough. A tired child would naturally ‘tune out’ external information to seek rest. To help support your child’s continual progress, I will provide you with home activities and recommendations as needed.
How can the Feldenkrais Method® and Anat Baniel Method® Neuromovement® best support my child’s progress moving forward?
To consistently support your child’s progress, it would be best to set up blocks of 4 or 8 therapy sessions (depending on the needs of your child) with rest breaks from a week to a couple of months. With your continual support at home, the rest period allows for integration of the learning. The duration of the rest break varies and will be guided by the progress your child is making. We’ll assess that together.
Are the services you provide covered by OHIP?
Our services are not covered by OHIP.
Will the sessions be covered by private insurance?
As I am a Registered Physiotherapist and have integrated these alternative therapies into my skill set, your child’s therapy sessions would be covered if you have private health insurance for physiotherapy. The extent of the coverage would depend on your benefit plan. Please inquire with your benefit plan administrators.
What form of payments do you accept?
We accept cash, cheques or Interact e-transfer payments for now. Please make cheques payable to ‘Move To Learn Therapy Inc.’. Payments are due on the first day of each block of sessions for the Prepaid Packages. You will be provided with a receipt on the last day of each block of sessions, so that you can be reimbursed if you have private insurance coverage for Physiotherapy.
What are your hours? Do you offer evening or weekend appointments?
My office hours are Tuesday thru Friday from 10am to 4pm. First client appointment is at 10:30am and last appointment at 2:30pm. If scheduling therapy sessions for your child within that time period might be a challenge, you can look into other Anat Baniel Method® neuromovement® Practitioners in Toronto. Some practitioners do offer evening and weekend appointments. You can do so on the main ABM website here.
I am from out of town, how do I get to you?
My practice is located inside the Phases Executive Fitness and Wellness Studio at 155 Gordon Baker Road, Suite 106 in North York. It’s centrally located in the city of metropolitan Toronto and just minutes off of Highway 404. See map here.
My child does not do well in the heat, is your office air-conditioned?
Our Move to Learn Therapy Room is temperature regulated to provide a comfortable, specially-designed learning environment for your child during therapy sessions.
Is your office wheelchair accessible? Is there free parking?
My office space is fully wheelchair accessible. There is 2 hour free parking with registration of your car.
Do you provide home visits?
In order to help as many children as possible, I am currently working with all my clients at my Move To Learn Therapy location. I’ve found that providing an environment which is free from distractions and geared for learning, adds to the value and progress the child makes.
My child is already seeing another ABM practitioner, can you provide an intensive block of sessions?
Yes, I do offer Intensive Packages. However, I would recommended that you start with the Let’s Get Started Introductory Package of 3 sessions so that I would have the opportunity to assess your child and we’ll both discover how he/she enjoys working with me.
My daughter had a severe seizure that damaged her brain. Can your work help her with her brain atrophy?
It is well-documented that our brain is capable of change at any age and condition. We call this ability of the brain to change and adapt ‘neuroplasticity’. No matter the conditions or diagnosis, all the children I’ve worked with have benefited from my work which is a combination of the Feldenkrais Method®, Anat Baniel Method® Neuromovement® and Physiotherapy.
My child's Physiotherapist suggested that I wait until his school physiotherapy program is done before he begins working with you, so that he can benefit better from your program. Shall we schedule sessions after he finishes his physiotherapy?
Having used the Anat Baniel Method® Neuromovement® and Feldenkrais Method® alongside conventional physiotherapy for over 10 years, I’ve come to understand the gentleness and genius of these learning-based approaches and their ability to coexist with and compliment other types of therapies.
By accessing the power of the child’s brain to change and transform through new sensory information, it wakes your child up to being more aware of him/herself and to develop his/her own curiosity towards movement. The sooner your child starts to feel and learn that movement is pleasant and can be easy, the faster he or she will be able to move forward both physically and cognitively. These methods will actually help and enhance your child’s progress in other types of therapy. A win/win and accelerated path.