Benefits of our new Interactive Metronome machine
Posted by Dr. G.K. Smith on 2010-05-11 15:27:30
When IM's inventor, Jim Cassily, moved the IM out of the music studio one of the first he worked with were students diagnosed with autism spectrum (ASD). As the IM became more widely known, Jim had the opportunity to work with the son of an aquaintance. The little boy was 10 years old and had severe motor impairments as a result of a major medical problem since birth. His name was Jimmy and among his challenges was that he was completely dependent on a rolling walker for ambulation. When Jim started working on improving little Jimmy's motor coordination it wasn't all smooth sailing. Jimmy found the IM exercises a little frustrating. The challenge was great but the IM sounds and scores helped keep him focused on the demanding exercises. Shortly after he started on IM Jimmy showed dramatic improvement as first evidenced in his improved handwriting. Within a few weeks, and to his mother and father's amazement, Jimmy showed off for his parents by setting the walker aside and ambulating independently for the first time.
As of 2006 Jimmy is a college freshman and enjoys playing basketball, managing the baseball team and swimming competitively in the summer. IM has come a long way since Jimmy helped us take our first steps too.