Brushing and Joint Compression

IM trains the brain with in time and space, but a few of the students that I see have sensory systems that can slow IM training down if not addressed. In house I will do a variety of activities to help calm excited sensory systems in order to move forward with our training. Brushing with joint compression is one that I will share with you here.

Positive Behavior Support

Here are a couple of links for parents that are dealing with behavioral issues from their children. Though not an IM link, it's a good resource.  Positive Behavior Support Kansas   and  Parent workbook for behavior challenges.

Squirrellies and Inhibition - A deeper look.

Wonderful question from a mom today (Nov of 2009 actually - when I began this post.) She had stayed during IM and watched her son in the squirrellies. He was swaying, moving his body non stop, looking out the window, etc - simply following every thought his brain had - NO INHIBITION what so ever.

Inhibition - Think about people you know who have good inhibition, versus those that don't inhibit anything.  What behavior is more 'mature' ? Take a few minutes and just think about this.

Here's a picture of a 7 yr old boy with in house 'squirrellies.' Today about every 1 to 10 seconds, this lad gave into some random sensory impulse, an overwhelming urge to move, much like an itch you just have to scratch.

Positive Negative IM Gains

On occasion, a student may start 'getting in trouble' at school post IM. Why is this? You would expect just the opposite. This usually has a lot to do with the child feeling more empowered, less willing to accept being bullied, or more confident, all positive mental gains.  But the children do not know how to behave more empowered, deal appropriately with bullies, or be assertive in a positive way. Therefore their behavior may be seen as aggressive, fighting for a new position in the class rank, standing up for themselves, but inappropriately so.  This is the time to re-teach assertiveness skills. These are positive negative responses to IM. 

Sensory Diet Link for Squirrelly Behavior

Can you give me a general idea of “squirrelly” ? Extreme silliness maybe? Emotional?  During IM, a good percentage of students have a day or two of 'squirrelly behavior, some times a week or two, worse case senario, the entire IM training, but this fades in a few weeks after IM is over.

How soon should I expect to see gains with IM training?

IM is an extremely fast program. If a child trains 3 to 5 times a week, they can complete 15 sessions in about a month or so. In just that short amount of time, when pre and post tested on nationally standardized tests, the students often have gained over one grade level in reading and math, sometimes as much as two grade levels.

FAQ: What are 'squirrellies' during IM Training

My child can't seem to focus on days that he's done IM, is that typical?

A certain percentage of children respond to IM training in a way that's seems just the opposite of what you are hoping to see, at first at least. Some children cry easily, or bounce off the wall, or nap all afternoon. They can not focus for the life of them, and you are doing IM to IMPROVE focus!