Evaluation of the effectiveness of MNRI therapy in children with autism based on the ATEC test – a preliminary report

Abstract

Autism (ASD) is a multiform disorder of unexplored etiology. Therapeutic treatment is therefore symptomatic0 and due to the complexity and variety of symptoms, it must be individualized. Therapists reach for various methods and forms of work with an autistic patient. In this situation, there is also a need to evaluate the therapeutic procedure and the choice of methods that will help assess the effectiveness of therapy. One of the proposed activities is therapeutic modality MNRI (Masgutova Neurosensorimotor Reflex Integration), while the standard ATEC test is used to assess the effectiveness of therapy. The MNRI method deals with the functioning of basic reflexes, the movement system and its impact on the developmental and learning processes. The MNRI method is aimed at restoring normal neurosensoric development and integration of reflex patterns, motor coordination systems and skills enabling movement functioning, behavioural regulation, emotional and cognitive functions. Therapy consists in activating reflex patterns to stimulate the natural resources of the brain, the body, strengthening memory and neurosensotimotive as well as motor integration. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of MNRI therapy in children with autism based on the ATEC test. The study involved 60 children diagnosed with autism (F84.0) according to ICD-10 criteria. The average age of patients was 10.7 years. Each participant of the project took an active part in the 11-day rehabilitation process according to the MNRI programme. The standardized ATEC test was used to assess the effectiveness of therapy. Analysis of the results of the ATEC test before and after the 11-day rehabilitation in autistic patients showed positive effects of MNRI therapy among 43.5% of the subjects. These effects included, for part I - in terms of communication, an increase was noted by 9.2%; for part II – socialization0 58.3%; part III - sensory feeling, cognitive awareness, 47.2% and in part IV - physical health, emotions, behaviour, 57.9%. MNRI therapy positively influenced the examined group of autistic patients. Particularly noticeable improvement was expressed in the reduction of self-inflicted harm (65%), reduced hypersensitivity and improvement in sound tolerance (80%), improvement of awareness of one’s own body's (60%); greater calmness, self-control (80%). The therapy is safe, painless, has no negative effects. This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. null

Keywords

• autism
• MNRI
• rehabilitation
• ATEC