We came home this week from VT with this new exercise I thought you all might like:
ds stands in front of a chalk board, and to the beat of a metronome he has to make hash marks on the board in some predetermined pattern. For example, i say “give me 3 rows of 3” and he makes 3 rows of vertical lines, 3 lines in each row. The tricky part is the spacing between all the lines and the marks much be the same length of first hash mark.
its a visual/spatial/timing thing. he can barely do it.
Here’s my question: Does anyone remember from IM what the beats/minute from the metronome is. The VT doc wanted us to start at 60 beats per second but I had to slow it down to 53 for DS to be able to even attempt this. (You’d think after doing IM he’s be a little better??)
Re: Cool new VT exercise and a question!
Oh good - that sounds familiar and is more encouraging since he can do it at that rate . I would hope so given he did 28 sessions of IM!
That is interesting...
I always like the exercises with the metronome the best. We did a lot with the metronome.
Here is one for you that is my favorite.
I space numbers 1 and 2 12 feet apart on a wall. I use yellow stickies.
He has to track his eyes from 1 to 2 back and forth while tapping his foot while counting. I made it more difficult by making him skip count starting with skip counting 2s I got him up to counting by 6.
I like this because it has something to do with simultaeneous processing. I l like that he has to keep a rhythm while doing something mentally challenging and work on tracking. Deals with many of his issues all at once.
Re: Cool new VT exercise and a question!
Do you do this one to a metronome, or just to his own beat?
I like it, but since DS’s tic (which is greatly greatly dimished !) involves his eyes I won’t try it just now.
Hi Karen
Yes, this is done to the metronome.
It really was one of the last exercises we did. I don’t think my son would have been able to do it in the beginning.
As I recall, the default setting for beats per minute in IM is 54. I believe this relates to some research on natural rhythms in the body.
Anyway, I think you are wise to start with where your child is and work up. PACE exercises start with a beat that is within reach, then ups the metronome speed just enough to make the exercise slightly challenging and, when that is mastered, ups the beat again incrementally.
I’m glad you posted this exercise, as it is a very easy one to do at home!
Nancy