Our providers are truly passionate about helping their clients and utilizing Interactive Metronome. Take a moment to check out Sue Zapf, an IM provider who was recently featured on the “Let’s Talk” Podcast. She shares valuable insights about using IM, particularly for individuals facing learning challenges. Â
Listen to the full podcast now
Over the past 20 years, autism has become an increasingly common developmental disorder in children, causing abnormal social behavior and communication problems. At the same time, sunscreen usage has steadily risen and people have become more likely to avoid the sun for health reasons. Could something as simple as getting more sun actual help prevent autism spectrum disorder? New research suggests that it can.
Every now and then, our Providers are hesitant to try IM training with clients on the autism spectrum because of sensory issues. However, while there are many different sounds and visuals associated with IM training, nearly every setting on the IM Pro Universe software is completely customizable. That means you can set up IM training for any client, no matter what deficit is the focus! Wendy Harron, a fabulous OT and IM Provider, is here with some tips to get you started.
Do you know how timing in the brain can affect children with autism? Many of the symptoms associated with autism are also directly related to Neurotiming ®, more specifically, deficient Neurotiming ®. Find out more in this article from the December/January ’15 Edition of the Autism NoteBook.
This April is Autism Awareness Month and we want to help spread the word! Our IM providers work with clients who have ASD every day. We want to thank these providers for their tireless efforts and help educate the world about how special people with ASD really are.
Pervasive Developmental Delay
I have had the opportunity of working with many children who are diagnosed with PDD. The diagnosis in general seems to have a very wide range of abilities and areas that are affected. I have found in my area (Northeastern part of the country), that these children seem to fall somewhere between those who are diagnosed with Autism, and those diagnosed with Aspergers Syndrome. So their responses to using the Interactive Metronome have been very similar, with great progress in a shorter amount of time…
Guidance shows improvement in children with Pervasive Developmental Delay
I have had the opportunity of working with many children who are diagnosed with PDD. The diagnosis in general seems to have a very wide range of abilities and areas that are affected. I have found in my area (Northeastern part of the country), that these children seem to fall somewhere between those who are diagnosed with Autism, and those diagnosed with Aspergers Syndrome. So their responses to using the Interactive Metronome have been very similar, with great progress in a shorter amount of time.
Teenage autism and social Isolation
Hanging out with friends after school is a big part of a teenager’s life and is crucial for developing people and communication skills. For those with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), social activity is very rare, especially after school and out of the family circle. This is something that has kept Professor Paul Shattuck of Washington University in St. Louis busy for many years; he says that limited or absent peer relationships can negatively influence health and mental health, especially during this difficult age.
Erin had a diagnosis of PDD/Autism. She was verbal, but unable to have a purposeful conversation. Her voice was very high pitched, and other children turned away from her when she would go up to them and start reciting lines from various Disney movies or Barney episodes on TV. She had been attending traditional OT/PT and Speech therapy visits for 7 out of her 8 years of life and the family was reaching burn out status, as her progress seemed to be very slow.
Prior to her discharge, we decided to give one more thing a try. Interactive Metronome. Mom had been reading about progress in attention and focus with children who performed the IM exercises. She wasn’t sure how Erin would do, but since it was summertime and their schedule wasn’t as busy it would be worth the time needed to give IM a try.
