Examples of Sensory Cognitive Motor Therapy Equipment
Play
Attention is a patented computer-based feedback training system.
Its interactive format incorporates the latest
brain research for rapid gains in attention. Play
Attention's primary purpose is to help children and adults in developing and
understanding their potential in controlling attention and behavior. Play
Attention also increases skills necessary for success in the learning process.
It uses the same technology which NASA and the
U.S. Air Force use to train their pilots to stay attentive in the cockpit.
The
Accommotrac Vision Trainer uses
biofeedback principles to teach the control
of attention, concentration and vision. The Accommotrac is especially
powerful in increasing the span of perception which is vitally important to
increasing reading speed. The instrument monitors visual attention 40
times every second and gives the student instant feedback in order to learn
focus control. This feedback comes in the form of
faster "beeps" presented via headphones. In other words, visual
concentration is improved by auditory input! This concept is very unique
and powerful.
The
Interactive Metronome is
a computerized timing device. The student wears a hand
sensor and a foot sensor is on the floor. While wearing headphones the
student will hear a bell beating at 54 beats per minute. Depending on the
exercise, there are thirteen, the student will either clap, tap or beat their
hand(s) and/or feet with the rhythm. The computer helps to guide them by
presenting a different tone to the left ear if they are early and to the right
ear if they are late. We have seen many children and adults improve from
initial scores in the 200 millisecond range to ending scores in the 20
millisecond range. As timing improves, the student's attention,
concentration, sequencing and motor planning all get better.
The Belgau Balance Board is
the most important piece in Balametrics therapies and is the cornerstone of most of our sensory integration therapies. The board sits
atop two rotating rockers allowing the user to increase the difficulty level.
Because neural involvement increases at higher levels of difficulty, the balance
board increases brain processing speed and efficiency. A grid on the top of the
board provides a mechanism for keeping the body centered allowing both sides of
the brain to be equally involved. These features make the Belgau Balance Board
an excellent tool for addressing a variety of brain processing issues.
Activities on the board improve the integration and timing of both hemispheres
of the brain, as well as the integration and resolution of the vestibular,
visual, kinesthetic, and tactile senses. As the brain becomes more efficient as
a result of activities on the Belgau Balance Board, brain processing based
learning problems like ADD/ADHD, dyslexia, auditory processing difficulty, and
poor reading are dealt with at their source.
The Rotation Board is an
excellent device for helping to mitigate brain disorders that have
spatial awareness difficulties as symptoms. Many people who suffer from dyslexia
and attention deficits have spatial awareness and vestibular
integration problems. Activities done on the
Rotation Board stimulate the areas of the brain responsible for projecting
visual and auditory space and help to resolve the inability of the brain to
construct a meaningful three dimensional model of the environment.
The VMC Stick and Pendulum Ball
combine to provide a very powerful brain process
organizer. The VMC Stick is designed to provide for a variety of different
activities at differing levels of difficulty. Using the VMC Stick helps to
develop the ability to structure space, visualize motion in space, and track
objects. It also improves the brain’s ability to effectively process
information from various senses and use that information to plan and execute
motor movements effectively. The VMC Stick is held horizontally in front with
both hands. Because both arms move in unison as the Pendulum Ball is struck, the
VMC Stick serves to integrate both sides of the body and, consequently, both
hemispheres of the brain. As this happens the timing systems between the two
hemispheres of the brain become synchronized and brain processing efficiency
increases. Used with the Belgau Balance Board, the VMC Stick and Pendulum Ball
are powerful and effective sensory integration devices.
The Toss Back is 16”x16”
and has a 9 square numbered grid on the top. It sits at an angle
to the floor to provide a surface suitable for returning a ball that is tossed
to it. Throwing, catching, and controlling the motion of either one or two super
balls while standing on the Belgau Balance Board stimulates the development and
enhances the function of brain processes. Maximum brain performance depends on
precise inputs through the vestibular, tactile, motor, auditory, and visual
systems. Activities with the Toss Back stimulate the integration of these senses
vertically, from the brain stem to the cortex, and horizontally, from one
hemisphere to the other. This device allows the user to address a variety of
brain processing issues by engaging the individual in a series of activities
that improve brain timing, sequencing, and body synchronization.
A variable difficulty balance
beam mounted on two rockers which can be rotated.
Rotating the rockers changes the balance difficulty level of the beam. This
balance beam is different from conventional balance beams because you can change
its balance level. This beam also stimulates centering. If the foot is centered,
the beam does not rock, but if the foot is off center, the beam tilts in the
direction that the foot has deviated. The feedback is relative to the deviation.
The Variable Difficulty Balance Beam requires the individual to develop well
ordered, precise foot movements which improve the integration between the
tactile, kinesthetic, vestibular, and visual processes.
Advanced Brain Technologies bring us
two products that have brought wonderful results.
The Sound Health Series are musical compact discs that have special
classical music for concentration (perfect for studying, writing, office
ambience, and computer time), thinking (ideal for room ambience, problem
solving, office work, memorization, and computer time), learning (facilitates
clarity, creativity, and mental alertness), productivity (mood elevation,
energy, vitality, task completion, computer time, and wakefulness), relaxation
(tranquility, rejuvenation, and serenity, and is ideal for quieting
hyperactivity, reading, and constructively directing energy), inspiration
and motivation.
Brain
Builder is a "neurobic", computer-based training program that is
designed to assess and develop auditory and visual sequential processing
abilities. With as little as ten minutes of daily mental exercise powerful gains
can be made in short-term memory and thinking skills. Brain Builder CD-ROMs are
easy to use. Brain Builder 3.0 is both PC and MAC compatible.
The
Rotation Pegboard Machine (R.P.M) is a
variable speed pegboard rotator. The pegboard rotates in
clockwise and counter-clockwise modes (up to 99 rotations per minute), and can be
used in the testing and training for: eye
tracking, eye hand coordination, bilateral integration,
binocular vision development and figure ground perception.
Improvement with this
instrument results in better visual attention, processing speed and reading
fluency. Pegs are placed into the rotating pegboard holes. This is
typically done with the dominant hand first and followed with the non-dominant
hand. Speeds usually start at 5 rotations per minute and work up to 45
rotations per minute. Improvements occur quickly with this instrument and
most find it to be challenging but enjoyable and fun for all ages.
PTS
and TVPP are home-based computerized
perceptual therapy programs designed on the concept of a dual system of
information processing. The therapy procedures address either simultaneous
processing, sequential processing and/or speed of information processing.
The PTS (Perceptual Therapy Systems) is a home-based computerized perceptual therapy program designed on the concept of a dual system of information processing. The six therapy procedures address either simultaneous processing, sequential processing and/or speed of information processing.
The six simultaneous and sequential Processing Procedures, Including Visual Closure, Tachistoscope, Visual Span, Visual Motor Integration, Visual Concentration, Visual Sequential Processing Have Been Successfully Used By Thousands of Patients.
The
TVPP
(Temporal Visual Processing Program)
is designed by Sid Groffman, O.D. to
improve reading scores by addressing visual processing problems that are often
found in children with a reading disability and other learning deficits. The
program is designed to improve: • Magnocellular Processing;
• Temporal Visual Processing; • Visual
Attention; • Naming Speed;
• Visual Sequential Memory and • Visual
Sequential-Spatial Integration
These programs address reading disability, word decoding difficulty, problems with reading comprehension, spelling problems, memory disorders, laterality-directionality deficits, slow speed of information processing, non-verbal learning disability and mathematics difficulty.
Tracking
problems are often associated with reading disabilities: Slow reading,
dysfluent reading, reversals of letters or words,
words running together, poor reading comprehension, poor visual attention, loss
of concentration, and inability to complete assignments or tests in a timely
fashion. If there has been a diagnosis of dyslexia, rapid automatized naming
deficit, reading potential below ability, ocular motility problems, eye movement
disorders, temporal visual processing disability, visual perception dysfunction,
then the Perceptual Visual Tracking Program (PVT) may be useful.
The Perceptual Visual
Tracking Program (PVT) is designed to improve specific tracking deficits
that are often found in persons with any of the above symptoms. Perceptual
visual tracking skills are basic to all aspects of reading and other academic
areas. Improvement in tracking is often accompanied by improvement in reading,
spelling, attention, and speed of working.
HTS
(Home Therapy Systems)
is a revolutionary new advance in eye
care. It’s a computerized program that helps
eliminate the symptoms of eyestrain. This is the
most common visual complaint of students and office workers today. Developed by
Dr. Jeffrey Cooper, MS, OD, FAAO, a clinical professor at the State University
of New York, College of Optometry, and Rodney K. Bortel.
HTS is fitness training for your eye muscles. It’s a re-education program for your eyes. And, just like learning to ride a bike, once you teach your eye muscles how to work their best, they don’t forget. HTS is perfect for those patients who cannot commit either the time or finances to an in-office vision therapy program. It is also used extensively with our in-office patients as a fun way to work on home therapy.
The
Keystone Red Red Rock instrument
allows for the training of binocular vision, eye tracking (saccades) and visual
discrimination. Each slide - which is back-lit through the translucent faceplate
- has 15 words or symbols printed on it in black. The tiles have the same words
or symbols printed on them in red. The student wears
red-green glasses that allow viewing of either the tiled words or the words
printed on the slide. In this way the student's brain must use both eyes
in order to complete the task. This helps to integrate the right and left
brain, resulting in improved visual processing.
The
Keystone Correct Eye Scope teaches the
student how to improve binocular vision (especially if one
eye is being ignored or suppressed by the brain), tracking
(saccades) and fine motor coordination. These
activities are fun, challenging and a permanent record is obtained. Series include cheiroscopic
tracings and Van Orden stars. These techniques give immediate feedback to
the student and learning occurs at a faster pace with their use.
With the illustrated cheiroscopic tracing, the student see the picture with one
eye only. This image is transferred to the other eye via normal visual
processing. The projection of this image is obtained by tracing this
perceived image. Significant binocular problems will result in
difficulties with this process. These problems can be significantly
improved with this activity.
Sherman
Red Green Playing Cards are a fun way to work on visual suppressions,
binocularity and speed of processing. While wearing red/green glasses, you
will notice that some cards are visible through the "red" eye and some through
the "green" eye. If your brain has a tendency to ignore one eye, you will
only see the cards with the other eye. By concentrating you can bring the
view back to the suppressing eye. This can be challenging, especially if
the game is fast and you have to think quickly. Sherman Playing Cards are
generally given for home therapy.
"Lifesaver"
circle cards are an advanced procedure to improve binocularity and depth
perception. If you have a visual problem that prevent good spatial vision,
these cards are often used towards the end of therapy. Initially you will
use red/green glasses and will attempt to adjust your eyes in such a way that
the two closest circles on the bottom of the card will "fuse" together. As
you get better at this activity, you will be able to fuse the top pair of
circles. Skill in this area translates to better visual attention and
depth perception - critical components in successful visual learning.
Various vectograms (two pieces of polarized plastic that when viewed together with Polaroid glasses will give the perception of 3-D or depth) from Stereo Optical Company help students to use both eyes together, develop depth perception and to reduce suppression. There are many vectograms to enhance interest and work on various aspects of binocular vision. Our favorites include the Quoits, Clown and Spirangle.
"Quoits"
"Clown"
Spirangle
The
Wayne Saccadic
Fixator is the standard for testing, evaluating,
and developing accurate and rapid eye-hand coordination, spatial integration,
and reaction times. It is
used for sports vision training by college, professional, and Olympic teams
worldwide, including the 1980 "Miracle on Ice" US Olympic hockey team.
The Wayne Saccadic Fixator is a wall-mounted instrument with a touch-sensitive membrane panel containing 33 LED lights arranged in three concentric circles with one light at the center. The user responds to the appearance of a light by pressing the membrane button surrounding it. The built-in computer provides for the development of:
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Rapid saccadic fixations and tracking,
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Eye-hand coordination,
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Accuracy,
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Speed,
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Visual memory,
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Sequencing,
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Directionality,
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Synchronized rhythm,
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Peripheral awareness.
The
Talking Pen®
by Wayne
Engineering is the premier instrument for developing fine-motor
skills through pattern tracing. An infra-red
light and fiber optic sensor in the tip of the pen sense reflection as the user
traces a pattern with the pen and provide immediate auditory feedback if the
user wanders off the pattern. The pen is quiet when the tip is on a black image
and emits a buzz when the tip is on a white surface (this can be reversed to
allow tracing light-on-dark patterns). The pen works with any pattern printed or
drawn on ordinary paper or cardboard; no special paper or ink is required.
It makes repetitive manual tasks seem like a game, which encourages
practice and improvement. Since the pen provides immediate auditory feedback, it
is self-correcting and can be used with or without supervision. The user can
work at his or her own pace and can wear headphones to eliminate distractions.
The Talking Pen® is a proven tool for developing perceptual-motor skills from basic diagnostics to advanced training. Although applications are almost unlimited, it is most often used to diagnose and develop gross and fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, laterality, directionality, auditory perception, form perception, ocular pursuits and spatial relationships. It has been used successfully with the learning disabled, the visually impaired, the brain injured, the hyperactive and the dysgraphic individual.
The Talking Pen® integrates visual, auditory, kinesthetic and tactile cues to improve performance. Instead of developing these skills separately, the pen enables the user to advance in all areas simultaneously, thus reducing training time and effort. This integrated approach produces better carryover to the performance of everyday tasks.
The
Wayne Vis-Flex
is an excellent instrument for developing greater visual awareness, accuracy,
and fluidity in free space. It is useful for enhancing monocular and binocular
eye movement control in any meridian of gaze, focusing flexibility and visual
teaming at varied distances and speeds, and general visual awareness. In sports
vision training, it can be used to develop dynamic convergence, precise
fixation, and X-axis fixation shifting ("leading with the eyes").
The Vis-Flex is a four-foot plastic rod mounted on an adjustable heavy-duty tripod with 16 LED lights running along the top. A built-in microprocessor sequences the lights in 16 selectable patterns; sequencing can be performed either manually via a hand-held switch or automatically at an adjustable speed. An optional auditory stimulus can be provided at each step of the sequence.
The Vis-Flex can be used to perform sequential-fixation tracking and pursuit activities horizontally (X-axis), vertically (Y-axis), or obliquely, and can also be used in the Z-axis (extending from the bridge of the user's nose) as an "electronic Brock String" to develop and evaluate dynamic accommodation and convergence. A white line running between the lights creates a cross pattern for detecting suppression, lack of fusion, underconvergence, overconvergence, and anomalous correspondence.
The Wayne Directional Sequencer is an electronic computerized instrument designed to improve visual motor ability. A sturdy portable aluminum case contains 63 illuminated membrane switches arranged in a 9" x 7" grid. It includes a built-in precisely adjustable metronome and an illuminated LCD display panel.
When the user presses one of the membrane switches, it lights up, the unit provides an auditory feedback tone, and the display panel shows a count of the number of switches that have been pressed. The user may optionally be required to synchronize pressing the switches with the metronome beat; switches pressed too early or late will not light up and will not be counted.
Pattern
templates can be placed over the membrane switches to guide the user.
When a pattern is used, only those switches that are part of the template
will light up and count; pressing an off-pattern switch will result in a "buzz"
and increment a count of incorrectly pressed switches. Patterns can require the
user to press the switches in a specific order or allow the user to press them
in any order. Several ready-made pattern templates are supplied with the unit,
and you can easily make your own templates with any copier or printer.
The Wayne Directional Sequencer includes pre-programmed activities for developing:
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Directionality
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Rhythm
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Eye-hand coordination
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Speed
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Sequencing
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Visual Memory
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Shape and Word Recognition
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Tracking and Saccades
Many
materials from Red Green
Toy Box, Tools for Vision
Enhancement and
Bernell are used to help with vision problems such as lazy eye, crossed eye
and other binocular problems. These materials help to give feedback when
the brain is not
using both eyes. Generally a red lens is worn over the right eye and a
green lens over the left eye. A card that has red and green symbols is
used for a game. If the background of the card is dark, the red symbols
are seen with the "red" eye and the green symbols are seen with the "green" eye.
If the red symbols are not seen or seen intermittently, it means that the "red"
eye is not being used. The opposite can also be true ("green" eye not
being used).
The red green feedback helps to break brain visual suppressions. This work is especially valuable because it gives direct feedback to a condition that is not easily recognized - when most people have both eyes open they assume that both are working - many times this is not the case. When visual input to the brain is ignored it means that extra energy must be expended to ignore it - this energy could have been spent with fluency or comprehension.
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