Hello,
What is IM therapy? I read it helps and I was wondering what it is and what it is used for?
IM
My daughter has just completed IM- Interactive Metronome. She has significant delay in motor skills and has extreme dificulty crossing her midline. Bilateral Coordination was her weakest area. She has not progressed in Bilateral Coordination in 2 yrs of OT. After 12 weeks of IM she has pregressed one year from 6.5 yr to 7.5 yr.
A computer is used with sensors and the child responds to tones heard in one ear and then the other. Sensors are put on both hands and feet and the midline is constantly crossed during therapy time. The program was difficult and took concentration and focus.
Her langauge skills are significantly delayed and this was the first thing I noticed after she started IM. Her language skills increased, her verbal output and observation was noticably more involved. Her thought patterns and organized thinking skills seem to increase constantly.
The provider is key and must know the program and administer it in a knowledgeble way in order to maintain the integrity of the program
Sharon Gudger
Atlanta, GA
IM
We also saw a major impact with IM. We saw major improvements in motor planning, sequencing, and attention.
It was a night and day improvement. I think it works best for kids that have motor planning issues. My son’s problem with motor planning was related to inconsistant holes in his motor development. He was actually ok at some sports.
It affects way more than motor planning because the inablity to plan motor sequences affects output for many activities. Just planning the act of getting dressed was difficult because he didn’t know what to do first.
Now he can do anything.
Interactive Metronome. You can find out more about it at http://www.interactivemetronome.com
It is often helpful for ADD/ADHD and motor skills (handwriting, sports). Basically it works on timing and attention.
Nancy