[Adta] Fwd: mirror neurons, empathy, autism

[Laurice Nemetz]

Dear Cara and the listserve-

I agree with you that the mirror neuron research is so interesting and 
important in relationship to our work.  Just a reminder that mirror 
neurons, and our DMT definition of mirroring are not exactly the same 
thing.  Mirror neurons fire in response to watching another person (or 
animal) doing an activity. The response is "felt" in a sense, without 
ever doing the physical action, and the brain shows activity.  Mirroring 
in DMT is physical on the part of both interacting, even when the 
therapist does this on a more subtle or exaggerated manner.  However, 
sometimes we can mirror without feeling kinesthetic empathy, a whole 
other discussion.  A baby may mimic gesture, without connecting the 
"normal" emotional responses.  Of course, most children with autism show 
a disconnection or even complete disinterest in these interactions.  I 
believe Pace University (city-branch) has studied babies through 
childhood in relationship to movement actions, but others may have more 
information on this.

Interesting news tonight is that the American Pediatric Association is 
recommending two screenings early in children's routine check-ups  to 
catch autism earlier.  More DMTs could perhaps work with these early 
referrals that will doubtless be increasing.  The hope is to identify 
autism earlier, when treatment is more effective.

Best,
Lauri

Laurice D. Nemetz, MA, ADTR, E-RYT, LCAT
Wellness Bridge
YTA co-President www.ytayoga.com


Cara Arcuri wrote:
> Meant to send this to everyone. Oops!
>
> Cara
>
> Dance/movement therapy - life is a dance, make every move matter.
>
> http://www.nysadta.org/
>
>
> Begin forwarded message:
>
>> *From: *Cara Arcuri <cara.arcuri at verizon.net 
>> <mailto:cara.arcuri at verizon.net>>
>> *Date: *October 29, 2007 1:44:59 PM EDT
>> *To: *Ilene Serlin <iserlin at ileneserlin.com 
>> <mailto:iserlin at ileneserlin.com>>
>> *Subject: **mirror neurons, empathy, autism*
>>
>> Anyone have any experience with autism that calls into question the 
>> mirror neuron-empathy-autism connection? I have been following mirror 
>> neuron research since it first broke and find the whole 
>> thing fascinating and validating in terms of DMT. On the flip side, I 
>> know of at least one child on the spectrum who showed no difficulty 
>> mirroring at birth, yet had signs of autism from an early age (wasn't 
>> one of the kids who developed typically and then regressed). Does 
>> anyone know of any specific research being done around this? I have 
>> read tons of articles that talk about a connection between mirror 
>> neuron impairment and autism, but has anyone actually studied babies 
>> yet and then followed their development? Thought maybe some of you 
>> interested in this area might have come across something I haven't 
>> seen yet.
>>
>> Cara
>> Dance/movement therapy - an active approach to mental health.
>> http://www.nysadta.org/
>>
>
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