AUDITORY TRAINING + EDUCATION CENTER

Sharon Kimberley Hurst, M.S., Director

Interactive Metronome

Overview

The Interactive Metronome was founded in the 1990s by a group of neurologists and was introduced to professionals in 1999. It was based on a study by Dr. Stanley Greenspan and other neurologists which concluded that an individual's ability to process and comprehend musical beats coinicided with a child's reading comprehension, attention span, motor skills, and impulse control. Children that had a lesser ability to respond to musical beats were likely to have a lesser ability in those five other categories, and as their ability to respond to musical beats improved, so did their motor skills, reading comprehension, attention span, motor skills, and impulse control.

The Interactive Metronome therapy is made up of a computer attached to headphones, hand, and foot sensors. A child or adult is attached to the headphones and the sensors and is then taught a simple, repetitive exercise. He or she is then asked to perform that exercise every time the computer plays a musical beat that he or she, in turn, hears through the headphones.

The individual is then given a score, which is measured by the amount of milliseconds that it took for him to perform the exercise from the time the beat was made. For example, if it took someone 50 milliseconds to make the movement from the time the beat was heard, then that person would have a score of 50. Scores are also categorized in certain ranges. A score from 0 to 30 falls under the "Exceptional" range. A score from 31 to 40 falls under the "Above Average" range. A score from 41 to 120 falls under the "Average" range. A score from 121 to 200 falls under the "Below Average" range. A score of 201 or higher falls under the "Severe Deficiencies" range.

Studies have shown that IM therapies have been effective with children that have learning disabilities, autism, and ADD. According to one study, the motor skills, reading comprehension, and attention span improved in kindergartners, elementary students, ADD boys, high school dropouts, and special education students after the completion of the Interactive Metronome therapy.

The Interactive Metronome therapy is given in 15 one-hour sessions over a 3-5 week period. See the Fees section of this site for more information about cost.

For more information about Interactive Metronome, please visit the Links section of this website or contact ATEC.

What People Have Said

"For the past few weeks, he has improved his working skills in school and has done his homework in record time with minimal or no help from me.”

J.W., Parent

"St. Bernadette has committed additional students for Interactive Metronome training based on the success we have seen in improved academic performance."

Mary Ellen Letvinchuck, Principal of St. Bernadette Catholic School

"The Interactive Metronome provides a long needed and important educational and learning approach to improve a number of critical foundations in the learning process."