Dana M. Merritt, MS, CCC-SLP, IMT, graduated from the University of South Florida and has been a Speech-Language Pathologist since 1980. She was trained as a Vision Therapist in 1996. Dana opened Merritt Speech & Learning, in March, 1997. She has gained valuable experience from teaching K - 12th grade in a home-school setting and has a strong phonics approach to learning how to read. Dana became a certified professional with Scientific Learning for Fast ForWord in March, 1997 and a certified Interactive Metronome Therapist in May, 2002. She is a member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and the Florida Speech-Language-Hearing Association (FLASHA). At Merritt Speech & IM Resolved My PTSD Education Department Contact Info:imcourses@interactivemetronome.com, 877-994-6776 opt 3 (US Only), 954-385-4660 opt 3, Fax: 954-385-4674 Learning she specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of auditory, visual and motor processing disorders that cause delays in speech, language and learning.

Dana presented at the 2006 IM Professional Conference "Pushing the Envelope of IM with Children Under the Age of Six: Early Intervention." Dana has presented at the 2010 ASHA on "How Visual Processing Skills Affect Speech-Language-Learning Skills." Two of her IM case studies were published in 2007 and 2008 in Advance for SLP. She has also been nationally recognized by Scientific Learning Corporation, three times, 2008, 2009 and 2010. In July, 2012, she published an article in Plexus: “Imitation, the Mirror Neuron System and Autism.” She has developed her own phonics program and photo flash cards called “A Time for Phonics.” This program utilizes the ‘eye gates’ the ‘ear gates’ and the ‘motor gates’ in a unique and dynamic way to drive “neuroplasticity.” The goal is to drive a student to make rapid and distinct differences in how to phonetically decode. Dana presented a Poster entitled “Interactive Metronome Resolved My Post Traumatic Stress Disorder” at the 2012 IM Professional Conference. After the presentation she was asked to do a Webinar so other IM providers would be readily able to access this information.

Target Audience:
This webinar welcomes the following professionals who have completed the Interactive Metronome Certification Course.

• Speech and Language Pathologist
• Speech and Language Pathology Asst
• Occupational Therapist
• Occupational Therapy Assistant
• Physical Therapist
• Physical Therapy Asst
• Athletic Trainer
• Educator
• Licensed Medical, Rehabilitation or Mental Health Professional
• Music Therapist

Instructional Level:
Intermediate