Developing the Frontal Lobe: Multimodal Approach Required

By Julia Grover-Barrey, OTR/L
Founder of In-Tuned®

Scientists posit there are more multisensory neurons in the prefrontal cortex of the frontal lobe than unimodal neurons.

If this assumption is correct, the frontal lobe develops best when the individual is asked to process more than one sensory stimulus at a time.

A lot of what we are doing in our role of helping to develop the skills required to learn, engage in age typical activities and roles, requires us to influence the development of the frontal lobe.

If we are trying to improve processing in the area of the brain responsible for attention, organization and executive function, we need to be multimodal in our approach. Think combinations of auditory, visual and tactile/haptic stimulation.

Teacher, parent, therapist…no matter, how can we bring in these sensory combinations into the learning, development and intervention process?

Providing these sensory combinations is especially important in early childhood, because when the frontal lobe is malnourished it impedes the development of relationships, communication and engaging appropriately at school or home. It sets the child up for not participating with “the others.”  Supporting frontal lobe development early on helps build the skills we need to fully participate in the different roles we will take on during the course of our lifetime.

Providing sensory rich, multimodal experiences can happen while seated at a desk, standing in line or on the commute to school. There are no limits, except the limits of our imagination.

Be multimodal imaginative.

Julia