Motor Loops by J. Haynes

 

Spellers, families, and allies, whether you know the term or not we all are impacted by motor loops. A motor loop is an activity that was learned by the body for various reasons like a preferred task often from childhood, a response that happened while in fight or flight mode, or an overly practiced task like going to the bathroom. In those circumstances, neuronal connections formed to allow it to become easily repeated even when not desired.  Maybe you know how it started, maybe you don't but regardless they are there and can impact our lives in various ways. How can we stop them? I'm going to give you some helpful tips. 

• Know that your speller wants to stop the loop.
• Collaborate with your speller on how to approach the loop breaking.
• Be realistic with your goals
• Small steps towards your goal are still great accomplishments
• Be confident in your ability to do it no matter how long it takes. Presume competence in the body.
• Remember to give yourself grace
• Collaborate with an experienced practitioner, if possible
• Have a first step in mind.
• Frustration breeds failure, it will not be easy.
• There are tools, like lock boxes and controls on iPads, that can help
• Use positive self-talk
• Redirect to something purposeful and age appropriate. 

I hope some of these tips can help get you started.  Everyone's experiences will be different and that's okay. Apraxia is a spectrum that is unique to each of us. You can do whatever you set your mind to.