· HB 두뇌학습클리닉을 해외 석학의 추천서
Dr. Stanley I. Greenspan, M.D., U.S.A
Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, Behavioral Sciences, and Pediatrics at George Washington University Medical School, a practicing child psychiatrist, and Chairman of the Interdisciplinary Council on Developmental and Learning Disorders
Dear Parent:
One of the most significant underlying processing capacities with which we have been working is motor planning and sequencing. The capacity to plan and sequence actions or thoughts relates directly to a child’s ability to attend, follow directions, carry out and plan actions, and solve problems, as well as read, write, do math, and most importantly, think.
Until recently, we have only been able to approach children’s planning and sequencing capacities through surface behaviors in remedial education programs, which involve practicing such basics as writing or following directions. Now, however, we believe there is a new method of enabling a child to directly improve his/her underlying processing abilities for motor planning and sequencing and, therefore, strengthen many of his/her most fundamental learning capacities.
Several years ago, I was invited to become a member of the Interactive Metronome Scientific Advisory Board, and accepted the position of Director of Research. James Cassily and many others have spent years developing, researching and documenting this new approach to addressing underlying neural capacities, rather than just treating symptoms. The published results of several of the recent IM studies I have overseen, strongly indicate that there is new hope on the horizon for concerned parents, health care providers and educators. One such double blind study examined the effect of the IM on children diagnosed as having Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Most of the IM children in that study evidenced significant positive gains in their capacity to focus and attend; plan, sequence, and coordinate actions; as well as a variety of cognitive and language skills, including reading, spelling, and math. Importantly, each child’s gains were also unique in relationship to his/her abilities and/or challenges.
A number of parents have asked about what type of experiences at home can support Interactive Metronome Training. While many of the traditional approaches to learning are helpful, a frequently overlooked, but very helpful experience is to have long conversations with one’s child about a variety of topics, from favorite music and TV shows to friends, school, etc.
It’s especially helpful to practice anticipating and visualizing both positive and negative experiences that may happen tomorrow and to discuss potential solutions to the negative ones. In these conversations, it’s also important to create opportunities for the child to reflect on his/her own experiences and feelings (i.e., take an interest in his/her opinions and help him/her elaborate). When a child is engaged in long opinion-oriented conversations, he/she is not only feeling emotionally supported; he/she is practicing attention, thinking and problem solving.
If possible, I suggest you read my book, Building Healthy Minds (Perseus Books, 1999). It shows how sequencing motor actions and behaviors is a vital part of the six essential building blocks of intelligence and emotional health. These include attention, engagement, purposeful actions, complex problem-solving interaction, creating ideas, and logical, abstract thinking. The ability to sequence actions allows the growing infant and child to develop ideas and concepts, and ultimately become purposeful and functional in his world. Reading it should help you provide your child with the opportunity to expand upon his IM Training experience.
Thank you for caring so much about the future of your loved one. Too many kids today are left to fend for themselves in an increasingly difficult world.
Sincerely,
Stanley I. Greenspan, M.D.