Interactive Metronome

What is interactive metronome training?
By definition, a metronome is a device that makes a ticking sound to help musicians keep a beat. Think about listening to a teacher, taking notes, while maintaining posture in a chair. Multiple avenues of brain communication are needed in order to complete these tasks in congruence. What better way to exercise the attention, focus and motor needed to do this than to add some rhythmic auditory input. Interactive Metronome training is a computer-based therapy that trains the brain to process all of the messages passing through to get in rhythm!

How does it work?
In IM training, children/adults listen to a beat while wearing headphones. They’re asked to clap their hands or tap their feet to the beat. The computer then tells them how well they’re doing. The goal is for kids to get better at matching various beats over repeated sessions.

Does IM help kids with attention and or learning difficulties?
IM therapists say concentrating and keeping a beat eventually stimulates the growth of important neural connections in the brain.
Those connections would then help the brain work more efficiently and become more organized. And that, in turn, would help kids improve key skills. Those skills might include focus, making sense of information, reading, movement and controlling impulsive or aggressive behavior.

What other areas of difficulty could be helped by IM?
• ADHD
• Dyspraxia
• Auditory processing disorder
• Dyslexia and reading difficulties
• Learning disabilities
• Other language-based learning issues, such as dysgraphia and dyscalculia
• Sensory processing issues
• Developmental delay
• Cerebral palsy
• Autistic spectrum disorder

IM training is a patented, flexible program that allows clients to synchronize their internal clocks. By restoring the critical skill of Neuro-timing, children can effectively rewire their brain to work more efficiently and effectively.
How long does IM training take and who provides it?
Therapy usually involves 15 sessions that are spread out over three to five weeks. Each session lasts for about an hour. The child is then brought back about 6 to 8 weeks later for a “consolidation loop” of 10 more sessions. Various types of professionals provide IM training. They include educators and Occupational therapists, Speech and language therapists and Physiotherapists.

Interactive Metronome for Pediatric and ADHD:

Another Interactive Metronome demo:

Articles:

Breakthrough Study Reveals Biological Basis for Sensory Processing Disorders in Kids

How to use a Metronome to increase attention, coordination and motor planning

Natural medicine: The Interactive Metronome

For bookings, or more info, contact Lara@ShiningStarsOT.co.za or 082-562-1113