As part of our community, we hope you'll share with us your personal experiences and thoughts about other therapies you've found helpful. Please email us at info@bluedominoes.com.
Interactive Metronome (IM)
This therapy is a neurological assessment and treatment tool initially developed to help children with a variety of disorders including: ADHD, auditory processing, autism, sensory integration disorder, and cerebral palsy. Because of its success, the therapy was then implemented to help adults with a variety of disorders including Traumatic Brain Injury and Multiple Sclerosis. IM has been shown to improve coordination and motor skills, strength, endurance, balance and gait, behavior, attention and concentration, language processing, and motor planning and sequencing.
The Program
The client prepares for the session by putting on headphones and they are shown where the triggers are and how to tap them. Sometimes they will use their hands, sometimes their feet or a combination. The clinician will then start the program which produces a fixed rate beat and the client attempts to synchronize with that beat. They are provided with auditory and visual feedback. If they are going too slow or too fast, they will see it on the screen as well as hear a tone. After time, the child learns to self correct and improves their timing.
For maximum results, 15 one-hour sessions (some therapists break it down to half hour or twenty minute sessions) at three times per week is typically recommended. Some clients may need to do additional sessions or may want to do additional sessions for increased gain. IM also makes available a home unit that can be purchased through your provider allowing you to do some of the therapy at home and check in with your provider. This is especially helpful if you live far away from a provider or if it's difficult for you to get into their clinic three times per week.
According to their studies, improvement is noticed in 4-6 weeks. From personal experience, we noticed improvement after two sessions. Not only may you notice an improvement in attention and coordination, but you may also notice an improvement in grades. One study of more than 1500 students showed reading improved two grade levels and math nearly one and a half levels after twelve one-hour sessions. After doing IM for ten, twenty minute sessions one of my sons received a perfect score on the math portion of his STAR test.
Visit their website at www.interactivemetronome.com for testimonials both from clinicians and patients, research studies, and case studies. You can find a provider through their website.
Cost
Check with your insurance company as some do cover IM. The cost of IM runs between $95-$125 per session. The purchase of a home unit is around $600 and does reduce the amount of visits required to see an OT, thereby also allowing you to reduce the cost of the therapy. Check with your IM provider for an order form if you are interested.
Scientific Sound Healing
The Center for Neuroacoustic Research has developed amazing CDs that children (and adults) listen to in a variety of settings. For instance, their learning and memory CD is a played while your child is doing homework. Their sleep CDs can be played when you put your child to bed to help facilitate sleep or a better quality of sleep. They have a wide range of products for a number of issues including sensory integration, attention, learning, socialization, and sleep. For parents, Dr. Thompson, Founder and Director of The Center, has developed recordings to help reduce your stress and relax.
The CDs are best listened to through high quality headphones that cover the entire ear and can be put on a child while they sleep. A Sound Table and Sound Chair are also available on their site.
The Program
Global (off the shelf) CDs - are designed to help individuals achieve specific, targeted results. There are CDs that can aid with sleep, meditation, relaxation, wellness, personal growth, and a variety of other programs. For our purposes, we will focus on CDs that will help with issues usually experienced by persons with ADD, ADHD, dyslexia and autism. Deeper descriptions for their entire collection as well as audio clips for each CD are available in their Sound Store. Please be sure to enter bluedominoes in the coupon code box for 10% off your entire order!
Learning CDs
These CDs can be played through headphones while a child is studying or in the background on a stereo, which is especially convenient if multiple children are studying together.
Memory and Learning CD
This CD helps to alter your brainwave state to match brainwave states associated with opening deep memory, enhanced learning, increased focus, and expanded concentration. This audio program has been used successfully by children and business people alike. This can be played in the background or used with headphones when you are doing homework, in a therapy session, and school settings.
Energize and Focus
This soundscape heightens focus and concentration while creating a state of relaxation and alertness. This program is wonderful to use while studying, in therapy sessions, or in a school setting.
Music for Brainwave Massage 2.0
This audio program is also good for studying, writing, working on projects and tasks that require mental and/or physical acuity. This helps a person perform at their personal best (their peak performance). This is also a good CD to help with coordination and clumsiness.
Sensory Integration CDs
Gamma Meditation System (Green Box) - Dr. Thompson has been using the Gamma brainwave state for many years. It is really a brainwave state for meditation, but research from University of Birmingham has shown that Gamma frequencies are associated with high levels of brain organization that binds information from all the senses. It helps to make sense out of what comes in through our senses. This is especially helpful for persons who have challenges with sensory input and integration. These frequencies provide a higher level awareness of unity within ourselves an others, providing for better sensory integration and socialization. This CD would be great to play in the background of occupational therapy sessions.
Socialization CDs
Celestial Dolphin - Dr. Thompson has captured the sounds of dolphins talking and singing in harmony with the sounds of the planets and moons of our Solar System. This unity may help improve socialization.
Gamma Meditation System (Green Box) - See description in Sensory Integration - It only makes sense that if a child can make sense out of his/her world, they will gradually trust themselves more and be better able to socialize with others more easily.
Sleep CDs
Delta Sleep System These CDs were created by Dr. Thompson for his infant son when he was having sleep challenges. The Delta Sleep System is safe for all ages and enhances one's ability for deep restorative, recuperative sleep. The programs on the CD enhance your ability to fall asleep, stay asleep, and wake up rejunvenated. This program has been a true life saver for many individuals and families.
Private Sessions
The Center for Neuroacoustic Research also provides personal sessions that include custom cut CDs. There are five core sessions and each session works on a different level of healing and balancing of your body, emotions, and mind. The sessions are usually one to three weeks apart, but special accommodations can be made for you and for out-of-town guests. Further information on the specifics of the five sessions can be found at CNR's website. The bluedominoes coupon code does not apply to private sessions.
Cost
The generic CDs with his proprietary formula cost between $15.97 and $24.97; the Sound Tables and Chairs vary per the model you choose; and their private sessions (requiring a trip to San Diego), including a personal custom CD from each session, vary in time and price, so it is best to e-mail the Center at cnr@neuroacoustic.com or call at 760-942-6749.
The Program
A child can start as early as four years old and work their way through the program. It requires them to listen and pay attention and respond in a timely manner. Kids are motivated by the circles that are filled in as they progress through the program. Earobics does allow you to clearly see your child's auditory deficits and you can supplement with other games as well.
The only downside we noticed was that you don't have to play each of the games every time you log on. One child, for example, completed one whole section that was easy for him and was left with an entire section of one that was difficult, so it became less motivating. It may be helpful to set expectations for what you would like to see your child do and supervise them to make sure they are hitting on each part of the program.
Cost
In our home, we did notice an improvement in listening and concentration after using Earobics, although it was more subtle than Interactive Metronome. It does make a great supplement to another program and helps to reinforce listening skills. The cost of this program is around $65.
Handle Therapy
This is a very personalized program with a very thorough assessment. They believe in listening to your body and gently nudging you along. You notice subtle differences that build and eventually realize a more noticeable shift.
The Program
It requires commitment to a series of exercise that a parent does with their child each day, but if done, progress is seen. The exercises vary based on the individual's strengths and weaknesses and the person's own comfort level for what feels right for them. After the initial assessment (which is usually around 4 hours), you check in once a month for six months to determine which exercises have been mastered and which still need to be worked through. Each session is taped so you can go back and review the exercises to be sure you are doing them correctly. The sessions are conducted by occupational therapists who have received further training in this gentle enhancement program.
Cost
The cost of the program is around $1,500. Since the program is administered by occupational therapists, check with your insurance to see if coverage is provided.
Occupational Therapy
One on one tailored occupational therapy has been of great benefit to millions of children across the United States.
The Program
The therapist will do a detailed assessment of your child and provide you with feedback on deficits as well as strengths. They help with sensory integration dysfunction, handwriting, daily living skills, motor planning, and coordination. Most children really enjoy going especially in a bright colored gym environment that is stimulating for them. However, because it is therapy, they will get pushed outside of their comfort zone and some may complain, but will continue to go because they see the benefit.
It is important to get the right therapist for your child and if there is friction at all between yourself or your child and the therapist, then you should look into another therapist. You want to see steady progress and be informed of treatments you can be doing at home to compliment the therapy.
To find an Occupational Therapist please visit the following sites:
http://www.sinetwork.org/directory/search.html
http://www.aota.org/
Your child's pediatrician may also have some occupational therapist contacts and your child may also be eligible to receive occupational therapy through the school or state.
Cost
Fees vary around the U.S., but a session runs around $100-$150 per hour. Check with your insurance as OT may be covered under your plan.
Speech Therapy
Speech therapy for children is used to help children improve their communication skills (including sign language), treat disorder such as stuttering, and help children with articulation and language. Like occupational and physical therapy, the therapist will start with an evaluation to determine the type of treatment, if necessary, that will most benefit your child. Speech therapy treatment plans vary widely based on children's individual needs. Some therapists do provide group therapies for parents who are looking to help their children with both speech and social skills. Therapists may use resources such as Earobics, Fast Forward, IM, etc. as part of their therapy plan. Speech therapy prices vary widely depending on if the session is for an individual, group, and tools being used.
Speech therapy is also provided through schools and the state if your child is under 3 and qualifies.
Music Lessons
Music requires both the left and right brain; thereby naturally synchronizing the brain. There are a number of therapeutic music companies throughout the U.S., who are trained in music and sometimes other therapies such as behavioral and speech. These therapies allow the child to be successful and involved in an activity that many of their friends at school are involved in. To find a music therapist in your area, send an email to findMT@musictherapy.org.