Mirror therapy has been used as a way of providing corrective visual feedback to children with speech defects, learning disabilities and children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy; and as rehabilitation treatment to neurological patients.
Mirror therapy can be used for improving the the gesture of pointing out, grasp and dexterity in use of hand as well as for correcting postures and phantom limb pain. It has been found that visual feedback is received by the brain for correction.
A speech therapist often makes the client practice mouth movements in front of a mirror to improve slurred or slow speech called dysarthria disorders.
It technique affords opportunity to the client view himself or herself along with the therapist as they talk and correct mistakes. Persons with with dysarthria disorders have difficulty communicating because lack of ability to control the muscles used for speaking. Mirror therapy helps in training the fine motor muscles used for speaking.
Use of phonic method for the dysgraphic children requires use of mirror therapy during their initial learning to pick up right consonant and vowel sound. For individual corrective the use of mirror has been recommended for children with special needs.
These days even glass-less freely standing mirrors are available to be placed directly on the table. See the inset picture in a dysgraphic child is practicing fine motor correction in use of hands and fingers. It was seen that this child's self-awareness and attentiveness also got enhanced.
Comments