I have been writing about new interventions to help traumatized children cope with adverse neurological changes affecting their ability to learn, be resilient and self-govern. The clinical process is calleld the Neuro-sequential Model of Therapeutics (NMT), developed by Dr. Bruce Perry of the Child Trauma Academy in Houston, Texas. We have had the privilege of hosting training for a number of clinicians at our Lakeside office. The training is sponsored by United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey.
What the NMT brain-mapping process reveals
Lakeside has seen how remarkably brain-mapping can help to determine interventions to help children function more cognitively. We have seen individual maps change as these interventions are utilized, and the result is these children are finding new abilities and opportunities to heal.
But there is only a small population of therapists impacting only a few children and teenagers. NMT’s applications need to become systematic to all traumatized children.
The Child Trauma Academy has now developed training for the administrators, counselors and academic staff of schools.
The new program will be called the Neuro-sequential Model of Therapeutics for Educators (NME). It will provide ways for educators to use a simplified version of the brain maps to indicate at a more basic level what some children need. The training is relatively new, but Dr. Perry and other NMT-trained therapists are referencing their experiences and case studies to develop and provide this new training for educators.
This is a huge opportunity to promote significant change in our schools.
It offers school staff new ways to understand students at a neurological level as well as how to help them learn more effectively (by introducing some of the sensory interventions I posted earlier–from music, to deep breathing, to rocking, and other forms of body movement) to help lower the heart rates of students, help them concentrate and cope.
We know that many teachers and administrators are struggling to manage their students with special needs. It is my hope that NME will be considered by all schools to help provide additional support for both staff and students.
I am truly excited by the potential of NME and feel privileged that Lakeside is a part of this new movement in its own schools. For those interested in NME I invite you to visit the CTA web site and learn more about this exciting new approach to helping students.
Gerry Vassar, President/CEO, Lakeside Educational Network
