Autism Therapy: interactive metronome therapy

definition of interactive metronome therapy: Therapy that encourages coordinating rhythmic sounds with physical movements. This therapy is being used for some children with autism. The child listens to specific segments of rhythms, and learns to clap at the same time. It is thought that this therapy can help build up functions in the frontal cortex of the brain.

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Interactive Metronome Training in Children with Attention Deficit and Developmental Coordination Disorders
International Journal of Rehabilitation Research, by Cosper, SM, Lee GP, Peters SB, and Bishop E., published in 2009, summarized May 27, 2010

Interactive Metronome training may help children with attention deficit disorder or pervasive developmental disorder who have deficits in visuomotor control and speed.

This study was designed to see if Interactive Metronome therapy can help these children move better and pay attention better. The study was designed so that each child acted as his or her own control. The authors found that Interactive Metronome seemed to help with some aspects of motor control and reaction time. They did not see improved attention in the children after therapy. The authors note that there is very little research to back up the many claims made by people who offer Interactive Metronome therapy.


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Interactive Metronome Therapy is One Stop on a Woman’s Treatment Path with Autism

Aug 6, 2010

Kathleen Tehrani at Examiner.com, recently interviewed Ann Millan, author and autism advocate. Ann’s daughter, Robin, was diagnosed with autism at a time when there was little awareness or support. The family worked together to find therapies that have allowed Robin to be independent, work, drive, and own a condo. One therapy that worked well for Robin was, and still is, interactive metronome (IM) therapy. This treatment combines sounds and movements to improve language skills and response time. Millan describes IM as a whole body experience, involving feet, eyes, hands, and ears. Robin listens to specific sounds in her headphones and then responds “according to the frequency, guided sounds or visual from the computer.”

Read original article: Asking Ann About Autism: Interactive Metronome Therapy


Training the Brain with Interactive Metronome and Core:Tx

Jan 20, 2009

Teresa Garland, an occupational therapist with Building Bridges in Michigan, initially used interactive metronome therapy with Matthew Cripps, a youngster with autism. She then moved him to a game-like therapy called Core:Tx. Both interventions train the brain by using movement and a tracking sensor. The focus of the therapy is to help the child know where a his body is within his personal space. Interactive metronome requires that a certain movement be made when a sound is heard. Core:Tx "trains the brain by visually tracking movement through a sensor on the wrist."

Read original article.


Interactive Metronome Therapy Helps to Retrain the Brain

Dec 7, 2007

Interactive metronome therapy, typically used to rehabilitate adults with neurological problems, is now being used on children with autism. The interactive metronome produces a cow bell tone that is transmitted through headphones worn by the child. The child attempts to clap his or her hands in sync with the cow bell. This therapy improves rhythm and timing and strengthens "the frontal cortex of the brain so that the rest of brain is more efficient."

Read original article.


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