EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. This is
a technique that is supposed to be useful in helping people overcome
things like anxiety, many phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder,
alcohol or drug abuse, schizophrenia, learning and eating disorders
and disabilities, and other personality or mental problems a person
may have. At a very basic level, this therapy is done by waving a
stick, often lit, in front of the eyes of a patient. The eyes must
follow the stick. It is moved in patterns up and down and back and
forth. Some wonder if autism and EMDR might have a favorable outcome
as well.
This therapy was invented by a therapist by the name of Francine
Shapiro. It should be noted that though she received her doctorate,
the school she attended was never accredited and no longer exists.
However, that does not mean that this does not work. It seems that no
one is sure how this therapy works, but some believe it might work
much like the theories behind acupuncture. It is believed that EMDR
might release brain energy blockages that have been causing any of the
aforementioned problems a person might be experiencing. Much like the
chi of the body must be running in balance and unblocked in
acupuncture, the same theory is said to be true for the brain and it's
functions as well....
http://groups.google.com/group/autismnvc