In recent years, the relevance of the study of the problem of interhemispheric asymmetry and interhemispheric interaction is explained by an increase in the frequency of cases of developmental abnormalities. This is especially clearly seen if we pay attention to pediatrics and the diseases with which parents bring their children to the doctor. There are many known situations when they do not turn to specialists, nevertheless, the child needs correction with the participation of professionals in the field of pedagogy and psychology.
Subtleties of the question
Any violation and deviation in development leads to the formation of certain pathological manifestations. Such common features and manifestations are known that are observed with different variants of dysontogenesis. Many small patients have difficulties with interhemispheric interaction. In children, distortions of sensory skills, motor skills, and a lag in the formation of the psyche are not uncommon. Incorrect and insufficient interaction of the cerebral hemispheres always negatively affects the child's ability to move.
Scientists recognize one of the promising and extremely interesting areas of study of the problem of interhemispheric interaction and their effect on the motor activity of a child who is distinguished by mental disorders. Presumably, much remains to be learned about the asymmetric development of the hemispheres, their interaction, and ontogenesis of the phenomenon. To study this problem, children are attracted who have Down syndrome or a delay in the formation of the psyche.
Official approaches
Studies devoted to interhemispheric interactions of the brain, organized in the scientific community, were conducted with the participation of more than a hundred participants, of whom half were healthy, the second half showed delays in the development and formation of the psyche. Each participant was comprehensively tested; special attention was paid to the neuropsychiatric state. The sex ratio between boys and girls as a percentage in the group of healthy subjects was 48% and 52%, among the half suffering from abnormalities, girls were 36%. Also involved in the work of 9-11-year-old children with Down syndrome. Eight were invited for official research.
To evaluate the features of interhemispheric asymmetry and interhemispheric interaction, the researchers resorted to the methods of Luria, proposed at the beginning of our millennium. This option involves the analysis of kinesthetic, dynamic, spatial praxis. Additionally examined the ability to draw and write. Based on the results of the tests, one can evaluate the relief of the interaction of the brain parts in relation to the child’s ability to move. A particularly clear result is observed in the analysis of bimanual samples.
Targets and goals
Studies on the development of interhemispheric interaction in children have shown that certain observations help to evaluate how control of a hemisphere is established over a certain movement. In samples, the child predominantly uses a specific hand, and the effect of the hemisphere is especially pronounced during experiments in which the same movements have to be performed by different limbs. Scientists, studying the indicated problem, evaluated how strong the participants of the communication group between the brain zones had, how this affects the ability to perform the spatial task assigned to the subject. Doctors evaluated the flexibility and maturity of the hemisphere relationship in relation to the motor and activity of the child.
Reliable information obtained by studying the possibilities of developing interhemispheric interaction in children shows that during dysontogenesis the paired functioning of the brain areas is formed somewhat differently than in a completely healthy minor.
Norms and deviations
Usually, the development of interhemispheric interaction occurs heterochronously. Various functional aspects are formed at different time intervals. With mental deviations, quantitatively measured deviations are observed. The diverse forms of praxis and the stability of specialization in specific motor skills follow similar successive steps as in healthy children, but more slowly and less evenly. In this case, the same hierarchy of relations between the cerebral hemispheres is gradually being formed. A study of children with Down syndrome made it possible to find out that lateral factors develop much more slowly, and there is no complete development - this is due to the characteristics of the congenital disease. The commissural mutual influence of the hemispheres is quite significantly confused. Failures affect all aspects of the pairing of brain structures.
A study of the characteristics of the development of interhemispheric interaction in left-handed people has shown that such children are characterized by some features of asymmetry formation that are not inherent in those with the leading arm - the right one. As analysis of research has shown, the organization of brain structures largely depends on the gender of the child.
Is it worth the attention?
Studies, during which the features of interhemispheric interaction were revealed, showed that such a nuance of brain functioning can be safely called a fundamental regularity. A particular variant of the mutual work of the paired organ is asymmetry, but at the moment the situation has developed so that it is precisely its laws that are familiar to specialists more than the rules for the interaction of brain elements in general. The study of physiology and anatomy, the collection of statistical, experimental data, numerous observations of persons with lateral impairments allow us to say with confidence that the two cerebral hemispheres play different roles in the human body.
The study of brain anatomy showed the asymmetry of the crusts of this organ and subcortical layers. Physiologically, this is expressed in the differences in biological electrical activity during a period of calm and during activities related to the psyche, requiring interhemispheric interaction. Clinical observations suggest that various elements of the brain are, to varying degrees, related to a person’s ability to speak, as well as the implementation of non-speech brain functions. In neuropsychology, asymmetry of the hemispheres has become a problem of the specifics of the work of different halves of the brain, the contribution of each of them to the technical aspect of movement. It cannot be said that asymmetry is a global problem, a partial character is inherent in the phenomenon.
Asymmetry: subtleties
Studying interhemispheric interaction, scientists found that the asymmetry of the work of various brain elements can affect sensory, motor and mental activity. For each of these species, an abundance of particular cases is inherent. Asymmetry classification systems were introduced, Chomskaya suggested defining lateral brain organization profiles. It is customary to talk about absolute left-handed people, right-handed people, people who simultaneously own both hands, left-handed, right-handed people. Pure types are dominated by a specific analysis system, with a mixed version the leading systems are different. Based on the types of interaction, it is possible to determine what is the degree of development, the form of a particular hemisphere. For people belonging to different categories, somewhat different cognitive characteristics, personality processes, emotionality and ability to move are inherent.
Interhemispheric interaction is provided by the commissure and is accompanied by a phenomenon that in medicine has been called a split brain. In the event of a violation of normal functionality, this primarily affects reciprocal movements; the child cannot describe in words the information that the right hemisphere receives. Perhaps a violation of the ability to draw, write, using both hands. Failures in the interaction between the hemispheres are either absolute or partial.
Problems and their solution
In neuropsychology, exercises for the development of interhemispheric interaction have been developed for a long time. The very features of the mutual work of the brain regions, the asymmetry of this process are considered to be triggered by biological and social factors. The ambiguity of the functions of the brain parts is observed when the baby is just born, but the interaction mechanisms finally develop on average by the age of fourteen, and some later. Paired brain work is the result of the influence of genetics, the social environment of a growing child.
To assess the features of a particular case, the subject is given exercises for interhemispheric interaction, according to the results of which they determine which parts of the body can be called leading. Exercises are constructed in such a way as to evaluate the functionality of different analyzers and reasonably compare the results. The study is based on the principle of double stimulation. The classic version is dichotic listening.
Specialists in neuroanatomy, neurophysiology are developing exercises for interhemispheric interaction, analyzing the results of the study, clarifying the nuances of the case and the possibilities for its correction. Attracted by psychologists and scientists from other related areas. The problem is considered one of the key for the clinical psychology of our time.
From theory to practice
A man forms his idea of the world in which he exists, based on information penetrating through the organs of perception. Our physiological body, mental processes and emotional state are closely interconnected. A strong emotional component is inherent in the human brain, in many respects it is emotions that determine how well we remember a certain event, how easy and effective we will learn. Emotions are closely related to attention and the ability to focus it. They guide us, and through the attention they control, their ability to learn and learn new information is adjusted. The best option for human development is to achieve a balance between emotions, physiological state and thinking. Each of these elements should provide some benefit, so that in total a person as an integral object, faced with a life situation, turns it in his favor.
Stressful conditions can be accompanied by blockage of blood flow in the brain structures, due to which there are disturbances in the interhemispheric interaction. The individual organs responsible for the sensory perception of the world are disconnected. A person is faced with the problems of simultaneous functioning and thinking. In order to normalize and stabilize the body, it is necessary to be able to normalize energy, restore all communication channels. For this, special techniques and exercises have been developed that are quite simple and accessible to everyone - children, adults.
Do we need to deal with?
The exercises for children designed to improve interhemispheric interaction allow you to activate the interaction of the physical body, thought processes, reduce the aggressive stress of the environment, optimize the person’s ability to learn, and improve the quality of this process. There are practical methods and simple tasks that can be practiced anywhere and anytime, and their effectiveness has been tested by time. According to some experts, only every tenth person on our planet can effectively and balanced use both parts of the brain, while others develop only the left or right side, the second is ignored. More often, attention is paid to the left side of the brain, because of which creativity is lost in vain.
The exercises designed to develop interhemispheric interaction are aimed at improving mental abilities and bodily health. For this, various types of motor activity are used, through which it is possible to create neural networks and improve the mutual work of the brain departments.
Features of the cerebral halves
The right half of the human brain is responsible for the humanitarian aspects of the personality, the ability to generate and perceive images. Traditionally, this hemisphere is considered creative. His adequate work provides an opportunity to coordinate movements, perceive the spatial state of things.
The left cerebral half is responsible for the ability to speak, reason logically. It explains the mathematical abilities of a person, the ability to recognize signs. It is the resources of the right hemisphere of the brain that a person can think analytically, perceive information by ear, formulate goals for himself and build consistent programs to achieve them.
The communication of the hemispheres is realized through nerve fibers located in the nape of the neck, the little head. Scientists have calculated: the number of fibers exceeds 200 million. They form a corpus callosum, controlling brain activity and transmitting information between the halves of the organ. If this element of the body is disturbed, human activity suffers. In case of conduction failures, the main load falls on the leading hemisphere, while the second is completely blocked, there is no connection between the departments. Such a person cannot navigate in space, his emotional reactions do not correspond to expectations, the perception of visual images and sounds, uncoordinated writing.
How to improve?
Rhythmization is the first and basic sequence of actions that allows you to prepare a person for new information, to increase the efficiency of their perception. Before the start of the lesson, it is recommended to drink a glass of water - the liquid helps the body and brain to work efficiently comprehensively, increases energy reserves and normalizes the ability to think. The next step is a bunch of three simple exercises.
The first is performed sitting or standing. The legs are positioned so that it is convenient, parallel to each other or slightly reduced, relax the knees, put the hand on the navel, and with two fingers (first, third) of the other hand begin to massage the area between the two upper ribs. They breathe normally, continue to perform the task for a while, until the sensations are pleasant, then they change hands.
The second exercise helps to activate different elements of both hemispheres. Left elbow stretch to the right knee, while lifting it to the hand, until the parts of the body touch. Then a similar movement is repeated by the other side. It is necessary to complete the task 4-8 times, the exact number of repetitions is determined, focusing on the sensations. They try to maintain normal, measured breathing. It is advisable to do the task slowly, concentrating on the activity of the abdominal muscles. In the absence of such a sensation, something is probably done wrong: the knee rises above the conceived, perhaps the elbow bends unnecessarily.
The final assignment of the block begins with crossing the ankles. Then the upper limbs cross, stretching the palms with the back areas forward so that the first fingers look to the floor. The hand is transferred through another, the lock is locked with the palms, the limbs are lowered, they are turned out at the chest level, directing the elbows to the floor. The tongue is pressed against the sky near the dentition, exhaling deeply. Duration - while comfortable in this position.
What else to try?
Quite popular was the exercise called "lazy eights." Experts recommend performing it if a person has to work at a computer for a long time. One arm is pulled forward, bending slightly at the elbow, compressing the cam, straightening the first finger so that it is at the level of the nose. The hand begins to move along the trajectory of the inverted figure eight. It is important to support the head, even without tension, but directly. It is necessary to follow the movements of the limb with the eyes, without changing the position of the head. The thumb should move from the center to the ceiling, in the opposite direction of the clockwise movement. Each movement should be slow. It is necessary to concentrate on the task and clearly understand what kind of exercise is being performed. With each hand, the movement is repeated at least three times.