Marcus is a 12-year-old boy with high functioning autism who returned to occupational therapy after a break
of several years.
He was doing well in school but he had trouble with daily living activities such as:
• Unable to dress himself.
• Poor handwriting.
• Was unable to wash his hair by himself.
• He chewed his food in the front of his
mouth, which impacted his diet.
• He rarely looks at others while speaking.
• He used single word conversations
• He walked with a very wide gait (80o
deviation)
• He lacked the ability to plan and execute
movements.
Given these problems, Mark started Interactive Metronome®(IM) therapy twice a week for 30 minute sessions.
IM is a researched-based program that provides a structured,
goal-oriented process that challenges the patient to
synchronize whole-body exercises to a precise computer-
generated reference beat. The patient attempts to match the
rhythmic beat with repetitive motor actions. An auditory-visual
guidance system provides immediate feedback measured in
milliseconds (ms), and a score is provided. Over the course of
the training, the patient sees improvements in stronger motor
control and coordination, enhanced balance and gait, and
improved language and cognition.
He started each session with a few minutes in the ball pit to help him relax and self –organize. He then did 10 minutes of IM, took a short break on a swing or trampoline and then a nal 10 minutes of IM. As his skills improved, he did 20 minutes of IM and then practiced dressing skills or handwriting.
He started each session with a few minutes in the ball pit to help him relax and self –organize. He then did 10 minutes of IM, took a short break on a swing or trampoline and then a nal 10 minutes of IM. As his skills improved, he did 20 minutes of IM and then practiced dressing skills or handwriting.
The IM program had profound effects on Mark. He developed
a self-awareness and motivation that led to greater
independence. Most prominent gains of the program were:
• He learned to regulate his shower temperature.
• He improved in washing his hair by himself.
• He took an interest in outside activities.
• He began to talk about what he did.
• He displayed a good sense of humor.
• He learned how to dress himself.
• He learned how to chew with his whole mouth and his
diet improved.
• His wide stance improved, so that his feet were better
aligned by 5-10 degrees.
• He made improvements on motor planning and
postural control.
• He learned to regulate his shower temperature.
• He improved in washing his hair by himself.
• He took an interest in outside activities.
• He began to talk about what he did.
• He displayed a good sense of humor.
• He learned how to dress himself.
• He learned how to chew with his whole mouth and his
diet improved.
• His wide stance improved, so that his feet were better
aligned by 5-10 degrees.
• He made improvements on motor planning and
postural control.
After 19,000 repetitions, therapy took a new direction. It was
time for Marcus to learn a variety of new skills through exercise
and repetition.
The IM program was vital to Marcus’ outcomes. It produced incredible gains that improved his physical, mental, and social development.
The IM program was vital to Marcus’ outcomes. It produced incredible gains that improved his physical, mental, and social development.
Interactive Metronome is Brain Based Therapy For:
- Academic Improvement
Alzheimer’s- Amputee
- APD
- Asperger’s
- Brain Injury
- Career Advancement
- CP
- Developmental Disorders
- Dyslexia
- General Brain Fitness
- LD
- MS
- NLD
- Parkinson's
- PDD
- Stroke
- SPD
- Sports Performance (Improve your Golf swing!)
- Stuttering
321-783-1960
If you or a loved one could benefit from interactive metronome, please call us today!
321-783-1960
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