ABSTRACT
Chapter 5 explores the use of SF-EMDR psychotherapy in two special client groups: the autism-spectrum conditions and traumatic-stress disorders. In the former, the goal is bringing effective regulation of tone. In my clinical experience patients with ASC store ninety per cent of the information in the cognitive domain of the cerebral hemispheres. Around ten per cent appears to be stored at a somatic level. The key to therapy is to help these patients connect to the sensations, emotions, and feelings stored at the sensorimotor level and then integrate these experiences with the relevant cognitions and thoughts. The implications for clinical practice with these patients are discussed. It is essential that practitioners understand the impact of abuse and neglect on the developing brain. This chapter covers the role of polyvagal theory in infant development and the Jacksonian dissolution model of the autonomic nervous system. The importance of myelination in uterine and infant development is emphasised. The term synaptic pruning is explained in detail, along with a discussion on why adolescents lack judgement and take risks. The next stages of brain development are a formation of executive functions at the level of the frontal cortex. Many of our traumatised patients fail to reach this stage of development. Finally, I explore briefly how to create the ideal learning environment for children. This is based on Littleton and Mercer’s work in schools, and a learner profile for a child in secondary school is proposed.
