Wait...can we talk about the dance thing for a moment? How does that improve the brain? DS6 clearly has some sensory issues and we tried to get some OT but it became clear that the specialists we worked with did not specialize in sensory stuff. I believe he has APD. Could you please provide more info?
Research for the Interactive Metronome suggests that it is our "internal timing" or our "brain clock" that helps us with processing speed and other skills related to coordination. The research has shown links between many areas of the brain involved in movement, language, attention and sequencing among other skills/abilities. Areas of the brain linked include the dorso-lateral pre-frontal cortex, basal ganglia, cingulate gyrus and the cerebellum. Both the blog I linked to and the IM website have more on research.
And I can vouch for its effectiveness as a therapist. I have had results ranging from subtle changes in behaviors and skills to life changing improvements. I'm not exaggerating - life changing according to one adult who I worked with who had dramatic improvements. Responses will vary, of course, based on each individual and the skill of the therapist using IM.
Other types of rhythm and timing exercises and intervention can be just as effective or more so, I suppose, based on how the person participates in the activities. One key to the impact of IM is how actively engaged and involved the person is in the training. It doesn't work unless you are putting forth an effort - but isn't that true for so much in life.
But, while sports can be wonderful and certainly improve things, the skills learned by practicing one activity, for example dribbling, over and over don't necessarily generalize into improvement in other areas. They may, but not always. Some people develop amazing splinter skills or isolated abilities even while their underlying skills are not so great. They just learn how to compensate for the deficits and succeed at mastering the one task. IM (and perhaps other interventions) address underlying brain function - not outward motor skills. That's the difference.
