Children with Special Needs

The Anat Baniel Method for Children^SM with Special Needs

This Method is a non-medical, learning-based approach. We have discovered that almost always, irrespective of the specific diagnosis, the child’s brain is available for potent learning. It is through this learning process that children with many kinds of developmental issues can benefit from the Anat Baniel Method for Children.

This Method expands on the work of Dr. Moshe Feldenkrais. Practitioners certified in this method provide learning experiences that help children develop beyond their limitations. The Anat Baniel Method for Children uses gentle innovative techniques to access the brain's ability to learn movement, thought, and feelings. Infants' and children's progress often surpass medical expectations.

Anat Baniel and Petra Riedel-Willems at Petra's graduation.

Who can benefit from the Anat Baniel Method for Children?

Any child can benefit from this method. Learning functional posture and efficient movement patterns provide a stable foundation for life. A child who has learned to organize its movements well will feel better and more self-confident.  He or she will have an easier time with further education - both physical and academic.  Maybe you want to help your child get a jumpstart.

What changes are seen when children receive those lessons?

This method provides children with experiences that give them an opportunity to upgrade their nervous systems. This is a way to wake up children's awareness of feeling what they are doing. Many parents report that the first changes they see include:

• Improved mood
• Better sleep
• Greater comfort
• Increased alertness and awareness of their surroundings
• As children "wake up" to themselves, their experiences in and outside of the lessons should provide a variety of information that their brain organizes. Functional changes that have been seen as children continue the work include:
  More effortless movements
  Better balance
  Improved ability to move; crawl, walk, run, jump, reach
  Greater problem solving skills
  Improved speech

More info and articles

Extensive information about this work is available at  www.AnatBanielMethod.com
Topics include:
Types of Conditions the Anat Baniel Method for Children Can Help
Steps to Take For Concerned Parents
How Does the Anat Baniel Method Work?
What Does Success Look Like?
Dr. Feldenkrais's Early Work with Children
Expected Outcomes for Your Child with the Anat Baniel Method
Parent's Stories: Read What Parents Say About Anat Baniel (download word doc) 

Articles Anat Baniel wrote:

Movement and Learning Based Approach to Working with Scoliosis - Anat Baniel, Cerebral Palsy Magazine, June 2004.
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On the use of Ankle-Foot Orthotics with the Child with Cerebral Palsy - Anat Baniel, Cerebral Palsy Magazine, December 2003.
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Working with the Whole Body - Anat Baniel and Naomi Liebowitz, Cerebral Palsy Magazine, September 2003.
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A new approach to helping children with Cerebral Palsy and other brain related disorders - Anat Baniel, Cerebral Palsy Magazine, June 2003.
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