Interactive Metronome

One program that we offer here at CTC is called Interactive Metronome (IM). This is a therapeutic assessment and training program that has been shown to help with many areas including attention, coordination and motor planning, language processing and control of impulsivity and aggression. Many individuals both children and adults can benefit from interactive metronome.

IM is a structured program that continues to challenge the client to synchronize various body exercises to a beat that is generated on the computer system. The client will try to match the beat with repetitive movements such as clapping hands together, using both feet to step on a foot pad, etc. IM incorporates both auditory and visual stimuli to help the client match the beat.  The program increases in difficulty as the child progresses each session and as they improve in their motor planning and sequencing skills.

Here at CTC, interactive metronome is a program that is completed three times per week. Each session is one hour long. The program is 12-15 sessions long. Interactive metronome can be repeated after the first time the program is completed but it is recommended to wait about six months before doing a second time in the program.

If you would like more information, stop in at CTC and ask for a brochure on IM or check out their website at www.interactivemetronome.com!

April is Occupational Therapy Awareness Month! *Repost*

April is Occupational Therapy month! There are many people who do not know what occupational therapy is or what we do in the profession. This month is a great start to helping those around us understand how important occupational therapy is for many people of all ages! Occupational therapy’s goal is to help others in a holistic way, meaning looking at the whole picture of whom a person is, including their physical, psychological, emotional and social aspects. OT works to help others function in their everyday life and achieve their goals. Specifically, looking at how occupational therapy helps in a pediatric setting is very different from looking at what they do in other settings. In a pediatric setting, like this out-patient clinic or in the schools, occupational therapy can help kids in many ways. This includes working on cognitive skills such as memory (remembering how to make shapes and letters) and sequencing. OT helps with both gross and fine motor skills. Gross motor skills that OT works on could include both coordination and balance. Fine motor skills include hand strength, control of arms, wrists and hands and finger dexterity which helps with handwriting skills. OT also works with kids on self care skills including getting dressed, feeding and hygiene tasks such as washing hands or brushing teeth. Social skills are also a part of what OT works on with kids including playing with peers and listening/following directions. Sensory differences are something else that OT can incorporate into their sessions to help children function in everyday life. These are all different areas an OT can work on with children to help them succeed in their everyday lives! Go out and spread the word on how OT has helped your child!

April is occupational therapy awareness month!

April is Occupational Therapy month! There are many people who do not know what occupational therapy is or what we do in the profession. This month is a great start to helping those around us understand how important occupational therapy is for many people of all ages! Occupational therapy’s goal is to help others in a holistic way, meaning looking at the whole picture of whom a person is, including their physical, psychological, emotional and social aspects. OT works to help others function in their everyday life and achieve their goals. Specifically, looking at how occupational therapy helps in a pediatric setting is very different from looking at what they do in other settings. In a pediatric setting, like this out-patient clinic or in the schools, occupational therapy can help kids in many ways. This includes working on cognitive skills such as memory (remembering how to make shapes and letters) and sequencing. OT helps with both gross and fine motor skills. Gross motor skills that OT works on could include both coordination and balance. Fine motor skills include hand strength, control of arms, wrists and hands and finger dexterity which helps with handwriting skills. OT also works with kids on self care skills including getting dressed, feeding and hygiene tasks such as washing hands or brushing teeth. Social skills are also a part of what OT works on with kids including playing with peers and listening/following directions. Sensory differences are something else that OT can incorporate into their sessions to help children function in everyday life. These are all different areas an OT can work on with children to help them succeed in their everyday lives! Go out and spread the word on how OT has helped your child!