CERTIFICATION & COACHING: IM PEDIATRIC BEST PRACTICES

MODULE 8: SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS –

IM TRAINING PLANS WITH INFANTS-TODDLERS OR CLIENTS WITH

DECREASED COGNITIVE CAPABILITIES

By Mary Jones, OTR/L, DipCOTSensational Kids, LLC

Brain Focus International, Inc

Outcome Goals for Module 8

• Homework assignment and post-test review from Module 7.

• Age considerations for use of IM.• Review of case examples: Emma; Reyna;

Betsy• Considerations from a parents

perspective• The importance of modifying IM

with this client group.• Review of levels of training

needed when working withchildren with low cognitivecapacity.

• Case example: Katie• Review of Session 8• Assignment/Homework

Review of Post-Test from Module 7

1. True or False: It is not necessary to consider IM testing data when formulating a treatment plan, only use discipline specific testing.

• Answer: False

Review of Post-Test from Module 7

2. True or False: The key to success with IM training is to always have a plan laid out for a student to participate in and stick to that plan throughout the training session.

• Answer: False

Review of Post-Test from Module 7

3. True or False: It is not important to increase repetitions, just as long as your IM student is enjoying their sessions with you.

• Answer: False

Review of Post-Test from Module 7

4. True or False: You do not need to own expensive therapeutic equipment to modify IM interventions.

• Answer: True

Review of Post-Test from Module 7

5. True or False: It is important to consider preparing short articles and case studies to support your interventions with Interactive Metronome® and to keep up with current research.

• Answer: True

The Key to IM Success:

• Modify for Engagement!• Be Spontaneous for

Novelty!• Increase repetition for Synaptic growth!

Techniques for Success

• Positioning alternatives• Physical Environment• Sensory Environment• Motivation Strategies• Tempo/Timing variance• Feedback Strategies• Interpreting Data• Pacing of activities and themes• Duration of tasks and sessions• Building Relationships – allowing control• Switch choices and Access

Age Considerations• “At what age

can I effectively introduce Interactive Metronome® activities into my treatment programs?”

Slide # 10

My inspiration … Emma …

A presentation at the IM Professional Conference 2007

My thanks to Lucy Barlow, MED, SLP-CCCFrom The Language Learning Center,

Kingsland, Georgia.

Movie: 11.Lucy beginning.mp4

Interview from Emma’s Mom

Movie: 12.after IM.mp4

IM Modifications with Emma and Lucy Barlow

(SLP)

Movie: 13.IM teq qith Lucy.mp4

Why IM for Emma?• This provider’s prior

observations of the success of IM with cross-hemisphere difficulties

• Neuro-rehabilitative aspects of IM

• Prospect of stimulating hemispheric communications

• Motivation to achieve best possible outcome for patient

Clapping to Music

Movie: 15.clapping to music.mp4

Using Video Feedback

Movie: slide16-usingvideofeedback.mp4

Wonderful Reyna

Movie: 17.2008_0731MISCSORT0070.mp4

Slide # 19

Slide # 20

Examples of infant modifications:

Using a folded sheet or large towel, swaddle the infant ‘hammock style’ with their face looking towards their mother or caregiver. Starting low and slow, gently swing to the right and then to the left, providing soft ‘end points’ to mark the beat. Movements may also include up and down, with cushions or a mattress beneath the infant. Tempo should be no higher than 54 bpm, and if the infant shows signs of distress, skip to every other beat for consistency. Follow the infant’s tolerance and lead. A soft song or lullaby can be sung in sync to the beat.

Secure rhythmic engagement to the metronome beat

Example of a net hammock used on the beat

Key systems influenced by

regulating to a beat• Breathing• Engagement• Autonomic nervous system

responses• Vagus nerve• Audition

Which in turn can help with:

• Down regulation• Up regulation• Respiration• Digestion – reflux (GERD)• Feeding – colic• Sleep – sleep apnea• Alert state and regulation of

primary functions.

Wearing a hat to decrease sensitivity

to headphones

Contained sitting to increase attention

Combine with favorite and ‘safe’ places to increase frequency

and duration

Allow manipulation of headphones – also consider

using speakers…

Provide positive support and hand over

hand assist

If a child wants to use celery as a

drumstick….

Then let them!

Introduce headphones as part of play and sensory diet

Include passive metronome beats and rhythms to daily activities

such as:

And ultimately…

Case study: Katie

Areas commonly identified for treatment in children with low

cognitive and neurological capacity

NEUROLOGICAL:• Developmental delays – genetic• Developmental delays –

environmental• Developmental delays –

acquired

Use of media to record initial performance and timing

tendencies

Movie: slide43-usingmedia.mp4

Considerations…• Long repetitions to increase

tolerance to hearing the beat in the environment

• High energy prompting and hand over hand assist to generate pockets of engagement.

Feeling the beat together

• Hand over hand assist• Containment and postural

support

Movie: slide45-feelbeattogether.mp4

Considerations…• Hand over hand assist• Containment and postural

support• Headphones vs speakers

Independent in supported sitting

Movie: slide47-supportedsitting.mp4

Considerations…• Adapt environment to

support attention; posture; switch access.

Keeping the beat at the right pace

Movie: slide49-keepingthebeat.mp4

Considerations…• Match tempo to child in the

moment.• Continue to apply rhythm to

handling; games; movement activities.

Review of Module 8 Learning Outcomes

• Age considerations for use of IM• Review of case examples: Emma; Reyna;

Betsy• Considerations from a parents perspective• The importance of modifying IM with this

client group• Review of levels of training

needed when working withchildren with low cognitivecapacity.

• Case example: Katie

Module 8 Homework1. Complete Post-Test for Module 82. Select one of the following IM

webinars to consolidate learning in this area:

– “Using IM for Moderately Dependent, Low-Level Inpatients”

– “The Use of Interactive Metronome in Infancy”

2.Complete webinar Post-Test