The cerebellum plays a major role in motor coordination and sensory perception including balance and proprioception. Patients with lesions or damage to the cerebellum exhibit problems in fine movement, equilibrium, posture, and motor learning.
Cerebellum exercises need to work on the entire range of movements and sensory skills that the cerebellum plays a part in. These must start for extremely simple exercises working on a single basic movement up to complicated combinations of movement and sensory tasks. Given the wide range of abilities found in dyslexics and people with ADHD, no movement or task should be ignore simply because it is considered too simple or too easy. The skill set of children with severe education problems is very small and even apparently simple task such standing still can be difficult for them.
Movement and sensory skills do not work in isolation to each other. As well as learning basic skills, it is also important to learn how to use them in combination with other motor / sensory skills and with high-function skills, e.g. language skills.
Skill Types
Unilateral Movement
Movement on one side of the body only. E.g. lifting one arm.
Bilateral Movement
Movement of limbs on both side of the body. E.g. lifting both arms.
Cross-lateral Movement
Movement of a limb across the body. E.g. touching the left ear with the right hand
Synchronous Movement
Movement requiring the coordinated movement of two or more body parts at the same time. E.g. clapping hands or a standing jump
Asynchronous Movement
Independent movement of two or more body parts. E.g. patting the head whilst rubbing the stomach
Rhythmic Movement
Movement in time with an external rhythm. E.g. Dancing
Non-Movement
The ability to not move some or all the body. E.g. Standing still or the absence of the Palmar Grasp Reflex
Synchronous Sensory Movement
The integration of sensory information into movement. E.g. hand / eye coordination or being able turn the head in the direction of a sound.
Sequenced Movement
The ability to perform repeatedly a predefined sequence of movements. E.g. dance steps.
High-Function Movement
The integration of higher brain functions whilst moving. E.g. Walking and talking at the same time.
Sensory Acuity
Awareness and identification of sensory input. E.g. Telling the difference between two musical notes
