The TTAP Method Steps 2 , 3 & 5 : Drawing, Painting and Poetry

During one of the TTAP Method Courses, students listened to meditation music and then were instructed to create images out of mixed media provided in the classroom, which included; paints, pipecleaners, magazines, etc. Then the students were asked to write a story, poem or reflective narrative about their creative art piece. This experiential allows the individual to use both right and left brain. The right side of the brain is responsible for creativity, emotions, and drawing. The left side of the brain is responsible for language, writing and words. Utilizing both sides of the brain is proving to be optimal for creating brain-wellness at any age, but eapecially the aging brain!

Lastly, students were given a meditation where they visualize going into a garden and finding their personal "Book of Life" they are asked to notice what color it is, what pictures does it have in it, what memories does this book hold. After the visualization the students are asked to create their own personal book, from the guided imagery.

The final conversation was about how important it is to feel comfortable doing creative work even if you are not an artist, or even creative. If you can be comfortable doing the art you will feel comfortable and confident having others whom you work with do their own personal art expereince.

TTAP Method Step 5 Movement

Students and patients at Bergen Regional Medical Center using step five of the TTAP Method which is movement/dance. The students hosted a dance party and played music from the time periods the patients remembered from their own teen years.

DID YOU KNOW THAT?

The woman in the above photo, is diagnosed with moderate Alzheimer's Disease,she is working on a colorful collage.

The repetition of safe physical behaviors such as placing colorful pieces of paper and making a collage within the art group has been documented to increase cell growth, in the hippocampus region and enhance overall feelings of well-being (Perry, 2006).

Step 5 of the TTAP Method

Students and patients at Bergen Regional Medical Center using step five of the TTAP Method which is movement/dance. The students hosted a dance party and played music from the time periods the patients remembered from their own teen years.

DID YOU KNOW THAT? Dance and Movement

The group of indiviuals is being lead by a student in a TTAP Method Session. This session is dance and movement. Participants are listening to old music of the 3o's and 40's, while singing and dancing. This session lasted 2 hours!

Sharing of deep emotional expereinces such as a dance and movement program creates positive memories that hold significant meanings- this type of intercention has been linked to enhanced communication, coordination and self esteem (LaBar & Cabeza, 2006; Furnham & Chamorropremuzic,2004; Chamorro,2005).

The individuals in group takes over the significant roles and relationships found in original family structure (Yalom,1995 & Pusker,2008).These particiapnts living in a locked unit relay on each other as "the family".

Neuro-developmental Sequencing through MOVEMENT AND DANCE thus using gross body movements has been found to have a positive effect on emotions, and behaviors in those diagnosed with AD (Buettner, 2006 & Perry, 2009).

The repetition of safe physical behaviors within the art group has been documented to increase cell growth, in the hippocampus region and enhance overall feelings of well-being (Perry, 2006). The TTAP Method is done daily with these individuals and has been documented to have increased psychological wellbeing (levine Madori,2009)

Step 8: Themed Event

This is a a themed event that one of my students did on her herself. She did it on her lacrosse team. She made a collage of all the great memories she had when she was on the team.

How Alzheimer's is directly affected through steps 2 & 3 of the TTAP Method

The TTAP Method is a Multimodal approach - which is defined as a program that addresses behavior, affect, sensation, imagery intrapersonal and interpersonal relationships. This construct was first developed by psychologist, Arnold Lazarus in the 1950's and has been proven to be the most effective approach for the individual diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.

The following is an image of the specific refions of the brain stimulated through the TTAP Method

Step 2 - Music and Meditation

If you continue to add the other Steps to your programming, such as

Step 3- Drawing and Painting the brain is stimulated further.

The TTAP Method ...Step 6

This is the work of one of my students who did the TTAP Method with their grandmother and this is a poem that they wrote together.



The poem reads... "Irish, American, that is me. Manhattan, Bronx, to Westwood New Jersey. Green, happy, giving back when I can. I only hope that I can help another and make someone’s day better. Life is what I live for. 92… get out of here!”

The power of the TTAP Method

Step 8: Themed Event

One of my students did the TTAP Method with her grandmother and for the themed event and they did a holiday theme. Her grandmother drew a Christmas tree and she said it was her favorite time of the year. Her grandmother likes to give and it is the season for giving.

DID YOU KNOW THAT?

The multimodal approach that the TTAP Method™ is based upon, enables individuals to explore textures and materials in a various structured and complex forms (Levine Madori, 2006,2009).

The group centered approach facilitates Gerotranscendence in the individual’s ability to self identify their strengths through concentration and the act of creativity (Tornstam, 2007).

Imagination, creativity and the art process fosters artistic ability which is associated with improved information processing (Furnham & Chamorropremuzic,2004; Chamorro-Remuzic, & Furham,2005).

The individual with AD still has 6 strengths throughout the entire disease process, which have been identified as CCDERS and stand for Communication, Connecting to others, Differentiate, Express, Recall and Self Express (Levine Madori, 2009).

Theme Centered Approach-THE TTAP METHOD

The above diagram represents the TTAP Method's psycological approach in a dynamic group interaction.

Each of the points of the triangle represent three aspects of thematic group programming; at the top (12 noon) is the THEME, moving to the lower right corner of the triangle is the INDIVIDUAL and continuing around to the third point of the triangle is WE. The TTAP Method utilizes this powerful psychological interaction in structured and systematic protocols found in the book. The interaction between the INDIVIDUAL and WE are enhanced by the THEME of the discussion. This communication structure has been documented to enhance emotional and intimate sharing which offers participants a multitude of opportunities for positive reminiscing which has been proven to enhances cognition.