Interactive Metronome(IM) was developed in the early 1990s and is used to help children with learning and developmental disorders as well as adult neuro rehabilitation patients. IM is a neuro-motor assessment & treatment tool used in therapy to improve the neurological processes of motor planning and sequencing.
Motor planning and sequencing are central to human activity. From the coordinated movements needed to walk, to the order of words in a sentence, planning and sequencing are critical to efficient human function. Interactive Metronome (IM) is the only therapy tool that improves motor planning and sequencing by using neuro-sensory and neuro-motor exercises developed to improve the brain’s inherent ability to repair or remodel itself through a process called neuroplasticity.

Clinical Foundation
The human brain’s efficiency and performance depend on the seamless transition of neuronetwork signals from one area of the brain to another. Findings in a recent study by Neal Alpiner, MD, “Functional MRI Study of the Effects of IM on Auditory-Motor Processing Networks”, suggest that IM works by augmenting internal processing speed within the neuroaxis. The key regions of the brain that are affected appear to include the cerebellum, prefrontal cortex, cingulate gyrus and basal ganglia. These parts of the brain are responsible for human timing as well as other day to day functions such as: sustained attention, language formulation, motor coordination and balance.

The IM program provides a structured, goal-oriented process that challenges the patient to synchronize a range of hand and foot exercises to a precise computer-generated reference tone heard through headphones. The patient attempts to match the rhythmic beat with repetitive motor actions. A patented auditory-visual guidance system provides immediate feedback measured in milliseconds, and a score is provided.

Over the course of the treatment, patients learn to:
Focus and attend for longer periods of time
Increase physical endurance and stamina
Filter out internal and external distractions
Improve ability to monitor mental and physical actions as they are occurring
Progressively improve coordinated performance.

Such patients include:
Sensory Integration Disorder
ADHD
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
Cerebral Vascular Accident (CVA)
Autism Spectrum Disorder
Cerebral Palsy
Non-verbal Learning Disorder
Balance Disorders
Limb Amputation
Parkinson’s Disease
Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

HOW IT WORKS & WHO USES IT  
Because IM works on the core brain functions of motor planning and sequencing, it is being used successfully by:
Occupational Therapists
Speech Language Pathologists
Physical Therapists
Educators
Athletic Trainers
Licensed Rehabilitation Medical and Mental Health Professionals
Neurologists, Psychiatrists and Psychologists
Chiropractic Care Professionals
Developmental/Behavioral Optometrists

Autism is a disorder that can last throughout a person’s entire life. It’s part of a group of disorders called autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Today, 1 in 150 individuals is diagnosed with autism, making it more common than diabetes, AIDS and cancer combined. It affects all racial, ethnic, and social groups and is four times more likely to strike boys than girls. Autism affects a person’s ability to communicate and relate to others. It’s known for inflexible routines and repetitive behaviors, like obsessively arranging things or following specific routines. Symptoms can range from  mild to severe.

ASD can and is usually diagnosed by age 3, and new research is pushing back the that age to as 6 months. Parents are usually the first to notice unusual behaviors in their child or their child’s failure to reach appropriate developmental milestones. Some parents describe a child that seemed different from birth, while others describe a child who was developing normally and then lost skills. Pediatricians may initially dismiss signs of autism, thinking a child will “catch up,” and may advise parents to “wait and see.” New research shows that when parents suspect something is wrong with their child, they are usually correct. If you have concerns about your child’s development, don’t wait: speak to your pediatrician about getting your child screened for autism.

If your child’s diagnosed with autism, early intervention is very important to gain maximum benefit from therapy. Some parents have concerns about labeling a toddler as “autistic,” the earlier the diagnosis is made, the earlier interventions can begin. Currently, there are no effective means to prevent autism, no fully effective treatments, and no cure. Research indicates, however, that early intervention in an appropriate educational setting for at least two years during the preschool years can result in significant improvements for many young children with autism spectrum disorders. As soon as autism is diagnosed, early intervention instruction should begin. Effective programs focus on developing communication, social, and cognitive skills.