Episode 11: Interview with Dr Michael Graziano from Princeton about Peripersonal Space the protective bubble about our body.
08/20/20 • 75 min
When I thought about starting this podcast Michael was at the top of my list of people to speak with. I thoroughly enjoyed his book, "The Spaces Between Us." Reading it from a Polyagal lens I could not help but make many connections......I hope you do too!
Please enjoy this incredibly interesting discussion with Micheal Graziano, Professor of Neuroscience and Psychology at Princeton University, author of both novels and science books, his most recent book is Rethinking Consciousness.
In this episode, you will learn about:
- Peripersonal neurons processing the space about our body like a layer of bubble wrap
- Multi-sensory neurons in the motor strip of the brain....what!
- A subconscious neural system with sophisticated computational processing for visual auditory and tactile stimuli moving toward the body triggering defensive responses to protect it.........what happens if these computations are inaccurate?
- The vestibular system .... "acts as a glue to bind the senses together- without it- those neurons may not be able to build their properties correctly. You wouldn't know where you are with respect to the world or where objects are with respect to you- the peripersonal mechanism would be crippled."
- Spatial boundaries and body schema in relation to processing self to the environment.
- How stress impacts the startle reflex and rethinking the startle as a social messaging system.
- How our peripersonal space expands to encompass the tools we use....eating utensils, writing implements, hammers........what happens when this system crashes!
- Evolution of the smile
- How our emotions impact the protective bubble about our bodies
- The devastating social impact of Dyspraxia, which is the difficulty coordinating the body in space
To find out more about Michael- https://pni.princeton.edu/faculty/michael-graziano
Books by Michael- https://www.amazon.com/Michael-S-A-Graziano/e/B001JS3WKW
Please support my work by sharing this episode with a friend or colleague:)
When I thought about starting this podcast Michael was at the top of my list of people to speak with. I thoroughly enjoyed his book, "The Spaces Between Us." Reading it from a Polyagal lens I could not help but make many connections......I hope you do too!
Please enjoy this incredibly interesting discussion with Micheal Graziano, Professor of Neuroscience and Psychology at Princeton University, author of both novels and science books, his most recent book is Rethinking Consciousness.
In this episode, you will learn about:
- Peripersonal neurons processing the space about our body like a layer of bubble wrap
- Multi-sensory neurons in the motor strip of the brain....what!
- A subconscious neural system with sophisticated computational processing for visual auditory and tactile stimuli moving toward the body triggering defensive responses to protect it.........what happens if these computations are inaccurate?
- The vestibular system .... "acts as a glue to bind the senses together- without it- those neurons may not be able to build their properties correctly. You wouldn't know where you are with respect to the world or where objects are with respect to you- the peripersonal mechanism would be crippled."
- Spatial boundaries and body schema in relation to processing self to the environment.
- How stress impacts the startle reflex and rethinking the startle as a social messaging system.
- How our peripersonal space expands to encompass the tools we use....eating utensils, writing implements, hammers........what happens when this system crashes!
- Evolution of the smile
- How our emotions impact the protective bubble about our bodies
- The devastating social impact of Dyspraxia, which is the difficulty coordinating the body in space
To find out more about Michael- https://pni.princeton.edu/faculty/michael-graziano
Books by Michael- https://www.amazon.com/Michael-S-A-Graziano/e/B001JS3WKW
Please support my work by sharing this episode with a friend or colleague:)
Previous Episode
Episode 10: Discussion of "Resilience and Relationships" with psychologists and Extra Lesson faculty, Annette Barone & Dr Mariane Judd.
Please join Extra Lesson Healing Trauma Conference presenters - Mariane Judd, Annette Barone and Joanne McIntyre discuss key themes of the conference.
Mariane explores the cases of children who are returning to school after being in lockdown due to the current pandemic and their struggles with self-regulation. We discuss strategies to support families and children with transitioning back to school.
More importantly, we reveal some strategies that teachers could implement to facilitate feelings of "safety" and to promote connection in the classroom which will ultimately lead to better emotional regulation, attention and learning.
Marianne elaborates on one of her cases of a child with an activated "sympathetic state" and who is struggling with learning at school. She connects his story to a sense of shame and further explores this in regards to EMDR and the importance of relationships in healing.
We propose a "multi-layered approach" to effectively work with families.
Mariane shares some important research connecting Zinc to the uptake of Oxytocin and the connection to the prevalence of Gut issues in many children with ASD or individuals experiencing anxiety.
You will hear about Dr Robert Sapolsky's work and his book...."Why Zebras don't get Ulcers" covering the biology of stress. His documentary " Stress, Portrait of a Killer" is so interesting and highly recommended (I love this guys work by the way!)
Parents can often feel alone and criticized for their children's behaviour, Mariane and Annette explore our role as practitioners in providing support and a safe space.
We have a wonderful discussion about the power of using the body via movement to support the nervous systems of those who have experienced trauma. The work of Dr Bruce Perry and Dr Bessel van der Kolk, both leading thinkers in the trauma world, also speak to the importance of such rhythmical motor patterns.
Learn about the concept of "Child Study" and what that could possibly bring to education as a whole.
Of course, we also discuss the Polyvagal Theory applications in therapy!
Please see the link for the Extra Lesson Conference 2020: Healing Trauma
The video link for this podcast in its entirety is available at Episode 10
Your comments and feedback are welcome at [email protected]
Please support my work by sharing this episode with a friend or colleague:)
Next Episode
Episode 12 - Kim Barthel- Psycho-Sensory Intervention: Informed and Integrated Mental Health Support Strategies for the Treatment of Trauma
Today it is my great pleasure to again be speaking with Kim Barthel, Occupational Therapist, from "Relationship Matters" Canada. Some information about Kim...
Instructor
Kim travels widely as an instructor to a range of therapists, educators, special-needs care providers and parents. Her specialties in workshop instruction include Trauma-Informed Practice, Pediatric Neuro-Developmental Treatment, Sensory Processing, Attachment Theory, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, Addiction and Mental Health.
Consultant
As a consultant working globally, Kim supports agencies, schools and businesses to develop trans-disciplinary services and environments for a wide range of individuals with special needs.
Author
As an author, Kim co-authored Canadian National Best-Seller Conversations with a Rattlesnake: Raw and Honest Reflections on Healing and Trauma with Theo Fleury in 2014.
I spoke with Kim in episode number 9 about resilience and trauma so make sure you take a listen.
Please enjoy this very informative session with Kim. We discuss trauma and the connection with sensory processing, attachment and our postural system. Kim covers these topics and more her workshop, Psycho-Sensory Intervention: Informed and Integrated Mental Health Support Strategies for the Treatment of Trauma. This training provides an integrated theoretical connection about the neurological interplay between attachment, developmental trauma and sensory processing issues.
Our discussion starts by defining what is "trauma?" A very expansive discussion......one that is well needed!
Other topics covered:
- explaining sensory processing and why it is important to consider this system in the therapeutic process
- the role of the attachment process in trauma, resilience and sensory challenges
- relational attunement as a regulatory influence in stabilising the arousal and sensory processing system
- connecting the "Arousal System Theory" with the “Window of Tolerance”
- how attachment strategies are functionally adaptive in relation to developmental trauma
- interpersonal neurobiology and relational attunement- why is it important?
- therapeutic use of self in stabilizing arousal and supporting sensory processing issues
- how trauma impacts postural control
With so much established evidence about treating trauma through the body, Kim talks about some intervention strategies for the postural and movement system that facilitates change in the emotional responses to trauma
Kim is a master storyteller and shares another wonderful example.....so listen in!
To find out more information about Kim's work, her company "Relationship Matters" and her training opportunities please see her website - kimbarthel.caand so
Please support my work by sharing this episode with a friend or colleague:)
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