Brain Integration Therapy (BIT) incorporates performing specific tasks which are difficult for an individual, followed by "repatterning" techniques which stimulate the neurological connections within the brain and facilitate whole brain learning. "Repatterning" really means "retraining" the brain to more efficiently use both sides to perform tasks, rather than limiting itself to using only one hemisphere at a time. Neurologists have discovered that we can use the body to "repattern" or retrain the brain to change inefficient pathways into more efficient ones. This process which was created by neurologists, has been used very successfully for the past twenty years. The "repatterning" occurs through the use of simple exercises and stretches along with eye accessing (looking in a particular direction) and muscle sensing as feedback to anchor the changes the brain and body are making as information is being processed in a new way.

The knowledge of the connection between the brain and the body has been well documented. Medical Doctors Glen and Robert Doleman and Carl Delacato introduced a technique called "patterning" which consisted of exercises replicating the crawling movements of a baby to help students with head injuries and other severe neurological dysfunctions.

Dr Paul Dennison, an education specialist, incorporated research from many other fields to further explore the mind/body connection. His work resulted in exercises and techniques known as Brain Gyms®. He developed what is termed "Laterality Repatterning." For more information about Brain Gyms® visit their website at Brain Gym - Education Kinesiology Foundation.

Dr Jean Ayers an Occupational Therapist developed a general theory of sensory integration and treatment from studies in the neurosciences and those pertaining to physical development and neuromuscular function. This treatment focuses primarily on the tactile, vestibular and proprioceptive systems of the body. For more information about sensory integration read an article at Autism.org/si.html.

www.compwellness.net/eGuide/brainint.htm