Crossing Midline and Self-Defence
Crossing Midline and Sensory Processing exercise
Christian is candid and open with how his inability to cross his mid-line hinders his ability to defend himself with his school friends and enemies. He explains how learning to cross his mid-line is improving his schoolwork, balance, and ability to defend himself. How to use crossing your mid-line seems like a natural activity; however, we learn from Christian it is not natural for everyone.
If you have sensory issues, autism, or other developmental disorders crossing mid-line may not come easy for you. If it does not you may be a victim of bullying in school. This developmental skill helps a child use bilateral integration skills and core stability. This is seen when doing jumping jacks (using both sides of the body at one time) or obtaining balance on the playground equipment. As Christian mentions in his video we play games to help with body awareness and building core strength. As you can see with his older videos he struggled with writing and body strength.
He was not able to make an infinity sign or use the tennis ball up and down his legs without changing hands. He also could not complete a set of 5 jumping jacks. Now, he is doing so much better as we continued our journey to State Parks, Adventures, and outings where we look for opportunities to help him use new skills and challenge his ability to cross mid-line, develop balance, and maintain body awareness. With these skills, he has improved his balanced, handwriting, and emotional awareness. His meltdowns have decreased as his body awareness has increased.
How to use everyday items :
Game may include:
Matching stickers on each other’s body (use opposite sides to cross over)
Matching games– where he must reach across while staying in one place
Simon Says– have him do exercise which increase body awareness and move across his mid-line
Twister– is always fun and has many objectives in body awareness
Blocks and Lego’s
Puppets: these can be used to communicate the struggles with school or daily events
Marbles and paper rolls– place marbles in the paper rolls and make obstacle courses
Obstacle courses – indoor and outdoor fun any time
Crafts– cutting, drawing, pasting, painting
Board games– we like sequence, guess who, ants it the pants, don’t break the ice, and don’t spill the beans
Punching bags– hit and follow-through (we use this to help with defending himself)
This list can go on and on once you understand the concept of crossing the mid-line and watching your child’s unique challenges with it.
Again, I am not an Occupational Therapist; however, I do use Theraplay activities and structure in my sessions which include proprioceptive and vestibular activities which include crossing mid-line.
If you would like more information on this subject read my article: Being bullied and Crossing Midline on our website.
Selective Mutism bullying the special needs peer
Bullying at School, sensory intragation, helping your child trust enough to tell and living with the hurt.
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