*EDITED TO ADD: We now have another tweak that helps us even more HERE.

I wrote a few weeks ago about The Anat Baniel Method (ABM): our Cerebral Palsy therapy. We also do another therapy, Masgutova Neurosensorimotor Reflex Integration (MNRI), which uses the integration of reflexes and sensory input to rewire Everett’s brain. It’s kind of hard to explain, especially since I’m not an expert, but I really think it is brilliant. You can check out the official MNRI website to learn more about the therapy and why it works. I like doing it in combination with ABM because it is a home program that I can do on days that I am not driving to Virginia for ABM therapy. We also work with an MNRI practitioner in DC occasionally; she has been great for answering questions and helping teach Barbara how to do the therapy.

Today, I’d like to share HOW we implement the MNRI therapy for Everett in our home. When we were first assessed by Dr. Masgutova, in April 2012, she gave us a very specific home program which takes about two hours a day, five days a week. When we got home from the first family conference and tried to start doing the therapy, it seemed impossible! Everett would cry and then I would cry and then Adele would need me. I couldn’t seem to make it work with my other daily tasks like meals and laundry. Now, around eight months later, it feels like it’s really working well for us. First, let me say that I am not claiming to be perfect at this. I am thrilled to have the help of Barbara, who I’ve trained to do the therapy (she comes a few days a week and she also helps me around the house). She is really good with Everett and I’m ashamed to say that she does a better job than I do on his therapy. He fusses less when she works on him and it gives me a little break. We also use an iPad app called Home Routines. It’s intended to be used as a home cleaning assistant, but we’ve modified it to keep track of Everett’s therapy. It’s really easy to edit the tasks to change the name to whatever you want.

I entered each reflex (in English and also in Portuguese, so that it’s easier for Barbara to remember) and you just click the star when you’ve finished it (usually it’s 5 repetitions of holding for 7 seconds). I also have a notebook with a separate sheet of paper (that I got from the MNRI family conference) that shows pictures and in-depth descriptions for each reflex. I added the name of the reflex on tabs on the edge of the page, so it’s easy to flip to it in the notebook. Sometimes it’s hard to remember which reflex is which, so it’s good to keep the notebook right next to the iPad during therapy.

Using the Home Routines app works really well for us because it’s so easy to see what still needs to be completed. I usually talk with Barbara about how the therapy went, but sometimes the day is busy and I don’t get a chance before she leaves. I can easily scroll through the list and finish up the therapy that Barbara didn’t get a chance to complete. I can also spread it out during the rest of the day, when I get a chunk of free time with Everett. Because you just click the star to show that the task has been completed, it’s easy to see what you’ve missed.

So, I guess what I’m saying is that having someone else do the therapy and using an app to keep track of it is what works for us. I’m just being honest. If you are a family who uses MNRI therapy or ABM therapy (or any other CP therapy), please leave a note in the comments. And if you start using the Home Routines app to keep track of your therapy, I’d love to hear about that too!