“My hope is for you to see your child with new eyes, reopen the conversation of what’s possible, discover fresh ideas, be inspired, and gain new tools to help your child become a better learner.”
children are learning all the time
through play, exploration, and a process of differentiation. They do not come prewired to have the skills they will need for the future. All the child’s experiences and random movements are used by the brain to help that child grow and develop. What seems at times to parents as insignificant play is in fact a miracle in the making. We begin to understand how important movement is when we have a child with special needs. This process of differentiation is interfered with in some way and along with it comes a host of limitations. The child has a hard time turning stimulation from their environment into useful information.
Fortunately, there has been decades of research done by thousands of neuroscientists on brain plasticity--the ability for the brain to change itself in response to its experiences. It has now been established that the brain has the ability to form new patterns, new connections, and continue growing despite challenges. The Anat Baniel Method® utilizes this science of brain plasticity by implementing a NeuroMovement® approach to helping children with special needs.
The lesson begins as soon as you and your child walk in my door. I will look to see what interests them, how they interact, how they problem solve, and how they carry out their intentions. In this process of learning your child, I will observe the quality with which they move, transition, and use their whole self. At this point, I can join and connect with your child from a place that is familiar and safe to them.
As a NeuroMovement® practitioner, I will then use movement and gentle touch to communicate with your child’s brain. By incorporating the Nine Essentials into each lesson, I will create an environment that will help your child improve faster and with greater ease. Through this enjoyable learning process your child will begin to perceive differences, initiate new movements, and move past their current limitations. Each lesson is unique to the child at that specific time and one lesson builds on the next. Explore the NeuroMovement® approach of the Anat Baniel Method® and discover possibilities!
“Keep looking through your child’s limitations to find the possibilities.”
- Jon Martinez
WHAT PARENTS ARE SAYING
“He is now starting to cruise with one hand, bridging doorways and calling me mom! You seem to have flipped a switch in his brain that he now understands the concept of language and is trying to communicate. It's amazing!”
Amy
“We have had 5 blocks of lessons in the past 8 months. In this time, Emmett has learned to transition to all positions on his own, crawl, pull up to stand, and cruise. Jon has helped Emmett put the pieces together.”
Arika
“When we started lessons with Jon Martinez, it was like her learning was supercharged! Her language went from random words to two and three-word sentences.”
Traci
“Jon is a very talented, passionate, and caring practitioner. He takes the time to explain what he is doing and teaches me how I can help our son when we return home. We travel once a month from St. Louis to see Jon and every time we leave our lessons we see our son meet new milestones!”
Krysten
Movement
Matters
Helps:
Agenesis of the Corpus Callosum, Brachial Plexus Injury, Cerebellar Hypoplasia, Cerebral Palsy, Cri du Chat, CVI, Genetic Disorders, Global Developmental Delay, HIE, Hydrocephalus, Hypotonia, Infantile Spasms, Joubert Syndrome, Lissencephaly, Microcephaly, Scoliosis, Sensory Processing Disorder, Spastic Diplegia, Stroke, Torticollis, Traumatic Brain Injury, Xia Gibbs Syndrome
For those interested in bringing their child for lessons, please become familiar with the suggestions below and take time to fill out the child inquiry form at the top of this page.
LESSON SCHEDULE
I generally recommend that children receive between 6-10 lessons over a 3-5 day period. This is called a “block” of lessons. During this time, they will receive two lessons a day with a break between each lesson. After the block of lessons the child will be given some time off, usually a few weeks, before their next block of lessons. The break between lessons allows the child time to integrate his or her new learning into their home and school environment and thus build further on it.
WHAT TO BRING
Please bring anything that will make your child feel more comfortable during the lessons--favorite toy, books, blanket, bottle, etc. Some children get very hungry from the work so having a snack on hand is a good idea. It is best to dress your child in clothing that is comfortable and allows for easy movement. It is suggested to dress your child in layers if they tend to get cold easily. If your child falls asleep during the lesson or needs to eat, that’s not a problem. I can use that opportunity to do some detailing work in areas I could not otherwise. I may also use that time to answer questions, do short demonstrations with you, or give suggestions on how to help your child at home.
HOME OFFICE
My home office is located at 5011 North Camino Esplendora Tucson, Arizona. Please pull all the way up to the end of the driveway. Enter through the gate with the courtyard, not the pool. You will see slider doors with my Movement Matters sign attached.
HOUSE RULES
I do my best to keep my office clean, organized, and kid friendly. There are a few things you can do to help me out in keeping it this way. I have a separate waiting area from my work space. I have provided toys, books, and a few other things to help keep the siblings occupied. Before you leave please be considerate and leave the lobby area as you found it. Do not leave food or soiled diapers in the trash. I have plastic bags available so you can dispose of them on your own. Out of consideration for others, especially the children, I recommend you take your shoes off at the door. I use the floor at times for lessons and many children play and rest there. Thank you in advance for your cooperation!
IF YOUR CHILD IS SICK
I understand that when lessons are planned you hate cancelling because your child is sick. However, out of consideration for me and the other children I work with in my office, please do not bring your child if you know they are contagious--fever, excessive coughing, runny nose, vomiting, diarrhea, or the like. Besides the risk of infecting others, your child will not respond as favorably to the lessons either. This work can be demanding to the system and they need to be their best self.
INSURANCE AND PAYMENT
The Anat Baniel Method® is a learning-based NeuroMovement® approach, not a medical provider. As a result, I am unable to assign treatment codes, submit insurance claims, or work with health insurance providers. I also do not keep medical records and thus am unable to supply them.
However, I am happy to provide you with a receipt indicating the number of lessons received, the amount paid, and the description of services provided as “Neuromuscular Reeducation” for you to submit to your health insurance company, if you so choose. Payment is expected for the block of lessons at the end of the first day and can be made by cash or check only. Please email or call regarding cost and scheduling.
THINGS TO DO
First, I suggest you not do too much while you are here for your stay. The child is learning a lot and will need time to eat, rest, and prepare for the next day’s lessons. However, there are a number of fun things to do and see with your family while you are in Tucson, Arizona. Check out the link below for some ideas: