Key Components of Sensory-Motor Protocols 

These protocols are highly individualised but often include a combination of the following:

• Vestibular Stimulation: Activities targeting balance, spatial awareness, and the sense of movement. This might involve specific movements, balance boards, or controlled vestibular input to modulate arousal levels and improve body awareness.
• Proprioceptive Activities: Exercises that provide input to the muscles and joints, enhancing body awareness, motor control, and force regulation. Examples include weight-bearing activities, resistance exercises, and deep pressure.  
   
• Tactile Stimulation: Activities involving various textures and tactile experiences to improve sensory discrimination, body awareness, and regulation. This can range from exploring different materials to specific sensory brushing techniques.  
   
• Visual-Motor Integration: Exercises that coordinate visual input with motor responses, crucial for tasks like catching, writing, and reading. This may involve eye-tracking exercises, visual perceptual tasks paired with movement, and fine motor activities guided by vision.  
   
• Auditory-Motor Integration: Activities that link auditory processing with motor responses, such as following rhythmic commands, clapping patterns, or coordinating movement with music.
• Rhythmic Movement Training: Often integrated as a key component to address retained primitive reflexes. These gentle, rhythmic movements mimic those of infancy and can help integrate reflexes that may be interfering with sensory processing and motor control. Specific RMTI movements are chosen based on the reflexes that need to be addressed.  
   
• Cross-Lateral Movements: Activities that require coordination of both sides of the body, promoting interhemispheric communication and improving gross motor skills. Examples include crawling, cross-crawls, and large arm and leg movements that cross the midline.  
   
• Fine Motor Activities: Tasks designed to improve dexterity, hand-eye coordination, and the precise movements of the hands and fingers.
• Oral-Motor Activities: Exercises targeting the muscles of the mouth, which are important for speech, feeding, and sensory processing in the oral cavity.

Implementation:

• Comprehensive Sensory Motor System Assessment: A thorough neurological assessment is the crucial first step to identify specific sensory processing patterns, motor challenges, and functional brain imbalances.
• Individualised Program Design: Based on the assessment, a tailored program of sensory-motor activities is developed to address the individual's unique needs.
• Structured and Repetitive Practice: Consistency and repetition are key to promoting neuroplastic changes.
• Home Programs: Often, a significant portion of the intervention involves a home exercise program for regular practice.
• Ongoing Monitoring and Adjustment: Progress is regularly monitored, and the program is adjusted as needed based on the individual's response.

By utilising sensory-motor system protocols within the framework of functional neurology and the Melillo Method, the aim is to address the neurological underpinnings of developmental challenges, leading to improvements in sensory processing, motor skills, coordination, attention, learning, and overall quality of life.