Supplemental Sunday: Stereo Symbol Movement

I think I've shared this before, but here is a bonus TME for you that uses visual aids to assist in the development of independence and life-long leisure as well as gross motor development, body awareness, vestibular and proprioceptive awareness, and social interaction. 

Looking for the symbols so you can make your own? Go to your nearest iPod/mp3 player/CD player. The symbols are almost universal these days.

Stereo Symbol Movement

Therapeutic Music Experience

Mary Jane Landaker, MME, MT-BC

Purpose: To increase independence in lifelong leisure skills; increase familiarity with common symbols for electronic media operation; symbol recognition; divided attention to task; sustained attention to nonverbal cues; social interaction

Source: Original idea. © April 26, 2010, by Mary Jane Landaker, MME, MT-BC

Materials: Stereo symbol cards (Play/pause, stop, fast-forward, rewind); music source; OPTIONAL: dot spots to coordinate movements

Environment: Large space for movement – no chairs needed or wanted for TME; central location for leader to sit where he/she can be seen by entire group

Music: Recommend that music be used as background figure – moderate to fast tempo with or without lyrics to assist clients in continuing to move as directed

Procedure: R = Reinforcement opportunities; C = Redirection/Cue opportunities; A = Assessment

1. Start TME by reviewing symbols.
2. C=Ask clients what the symbols are, and accept all appropriate answers (arrow and lines, triangles, play, stop, etc).
3. R= reinforce all responses.
4. A=Note which clients are familiar and which are not familiar with the symbols
5. Direct clients to stand and spread out in the space.
6. Turn on the music.
7. Display the first symbol.
8. C=explain the desired movement. Play/pause = moving/ dancing as wished; Stop = freeze in place; Fast-forward = move in forward manner; Rewind = move backwards
9. C= remind clients to watch for changes in the symbol presented by the leader
10. A= watch who can attend visually
11. R= compliment clients who change when cued. Redirect clients who do not appear to be attending to visual stimulus
12. Change symbols as desired, offering opportunities for client success and continued visual attention
13. R= continue to reinforce clients for appropriate completion of cues
14. R= choose client to take place of the therapist
15. Repeat steps 7-14, continuing to reinforce group members for attention to task and appropriate interactions.
16. Close the TME when clients start to show signs/symptoms of no interest, fatigue, or increased arousal

Therapeutic Function of Music: Music acts as motivator in this TME as it is an environmental stimulus to encourage continuous movement. By including music that has a moderate to fast tempo, the clients have the rhythmic impetus to move. However, the music may also act as a distraction for clients who have difficulties with attending to multiple forms of stimulation simultaneously. Clients with many difficulties may respond better to a sung stimulus paired with a visual stimulus rather than the use of music as a background figure.

Adaptations:

·         Decrease stimuli by removing background music and using a song that includes the directives displayed by the leader

·         Use targeted symbols to decrease number of desired responses – e.g., use only play/pause and stop symbols

Extensions:

• Pair visual stimuli with auditory stimuli – e.g., play/pause sign with specific melodic figure, stop sign with different melodic figure. Play melodic figures randomly without regard to the visual stimulus to assess attention to stimulus form as well as to assess attention to task
• Encourage clients to develop own movements for symbols. Keep movements somewhat aligned with what the electronic medium does when specific buttons are pushed.