Sensory Motor Lateralization
Sensory Motor Lateralization (SML) is a therapeutic approach for adults and children with autism, that combines fitness exercises and training that challenges a person’s right eye, ear, hand, and leg to preferentially engage the left hemisphere of their brain for more effective learning.
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Why lateralization?
Brain asymmetry is vital to motor control and cognition.
For children & adults with learning difficulties, reduced bilateral asymmetry has been found to interfere with learning skills that are processed sequentially or in a prefixed direction, such speech, language, reading, spelling, math, and handwriting.
It can even affect mood & our ability to regulate emotions.
What are the benefits of SML?
For the hundreds of children I've worked with in New York, I've seen measurable changes:
- Improved cognitive skills: increased attention span, better report cards, better reading and/or spelling, reduced stuttering, and even gains in IQ.
- Better body control: improved posture, increased gross and fine motor proficiency, and better performance in gym class.
- Improved executive function & self-regulation: greater stability, improved autonomy, better social relations, and heightened subjective psychosocial well-being.
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Who could benefit from SML? Is it measurable?
While developed specifically for people with autism, brain symmetry (instead of asymmetry) is seen in many populations. SML can be beneficial to children (and adults) with ADD, ADHD, and a host of other developmental delays.
In my practice of SML, I've seen zero re-referral rate for additional School-based Occupational Therapy & my students develop competent handwriting, meet their treatment goals, and graduate from the school-based OT program within two school years of SML.
Parent Testimonials
Michael's Mom
"Mrs. Teng explained her theory of left brain/right brain and how it affects children like Michael. I tried to keep and open mind and agreed that it was worth a shot... Without putting too much confidence or validity, we let her work with Michael and continued her method of therapy at home... We noticed within weeks significant changes in Michael. The child that could not hold a conversation was now conversing with us. The little boy who could not understand instructions given to him was now understanding what was said to him
The boy who repeated to me all day long anything that he did not understand was significantly, and I mean significantly, NOT REPEATING - a huge accomplishment!!"
Shane's Mom
"Not only did he meet his OT goals for the first time since he began OT through the school system in 2012/13, I could actually see the improvements in his hand writing, self esteem and behavior. Throughout the year he was able to focus better in all his academics including participating in gym.
You helped him achieve classroom academic achievement through your SML program which I feel has been an essential part of his life and something that will make a difference for the rest of his life.
Thank you for taking the time to work with Shane through your SML training where traditional OT had made no difference in Shane's academic. life at any time before you and that program.
I cannot thank you enough."
Resume
I've worked as an Occupational Therapist for over 30 years in New York State, and since retiring, I've traveled abroad, speaking and teaching SML to OTs. I consult and occasionally take private clients in the Southern California area.
Education
M.S. Occupational Therapy
Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, VA. 1974.
Neurodevelopmental Therapy (NDT) Certificate, 1991.
B.S. Physical Therapy
National Taiwan University
Taipei, Taiwan, ROC. 1971.
Sensory Integration (SI and Praxis Test) Certificate, 1988.
Speaking Engagements - USA
- Presenter, “Handwriting Made Easy-A Randomized Clinical Study”, the American Occupational Therapy Association Centennial Conference in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; April, 2017.
- Presenter, “SML as the Handwriting Remediation Program in a Junior High School” at the New York State Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference in Albany, NY; November, 2014.
Speaking Engagements - International
- Speaker, “Sensory Motor Lateralization (SML) for Developmental Breakthroughs” , Nanjing, China. July/August 2017.
- Xuzhou International Family Retreat
- Nanjing Shi Pukou Qu Rehabilitation Center
- Nanjing Shi Pukou Qu Qiaobei She Qu Community Forum
- Presenter, “SML as the Handwriting Remediation Program in a Junior High School”, First International Conference of Taiwan OT Association in Taipei, Taiwan, R. O. C.; December, 2015.
- Honorarium Speaker on SML at the Continuing Competency Conference of the Taiwan Occupational Therapy Association, in Taipei, Taiwan, R. O. C.; July, 2014.
Additional Experience
- SML Pilot Study in 2011, and the SML study in 2013 (Approved by IRB of NYC Board of Education).
Adjunct Faculty for OT Kinesiology, Anatomy, and Splinting at Touro College in Dix Hills, NY, 1992-1994 school years.
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