Therapeutic mat

Abstract

A therapeutic tool, and method for using it, for integrating motor, sensory and cognitive skills and progressively developing coordination and cognitive functioning. In a preferred embodiment, a mat is provided with colored shapes forming a figure-8 path. The shapes may be colored differently to progress along the figure-8 path. The shapes may be lights, and a computer may be used to program the lights, or provide music, to prompt the user to progress along the figure-8 path.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A therapeutic tool for integrating motor, sensory and cognitive skills and progressively developing coordination and cognitive functioning, comprising:
 a mat having an upper surface with a plurality of colored shapes collectively forming a figure-8 path, wherein at least some of the shapes are colored differently than at least others of the shapes, and the different colors prompt a user of the mat to progress along the figure-8 path.   
     
     
         2 . The therapeutic tool of  claim 1 , wherein the shapes comprise circles, and the circles comprises four different colors. 
     
     
         3 . The therapeutic tool of  claim 1 , wherein the figure-8 path comprises four legs, and each leg of the figure-8 path comprises shapes of a different color. 
     
     
         4 . The therapeutic tool of  claim 1 , wherein the figure-8 path comprises four legs, and each leg of the figure-8 path comprises different shapes. 
     
     
         5 . The therapeutic tool of  claim 1 , wherein a first leg of the figure-8 path comprises circular shapes, and a second leg of the figure-8 path comprises triangular shapes. 
     
     
         6 . The therapeutic tool of  claim 1 , wherein at least some of the shapes comprises lights, and further comprising a computer electronically connected to the mat, enabling the programming of the lights so that the lights may be turned on and off in predetermined sequences designed to prompt a user of the mat to progress along the figure-8 path. 
     
     
         7 . The therapeutic tool of  claim 6 , wherein the computer saves progress of individual users on the mat, and plays a particular program, including light sequencing or music or both, targeted to individual users. 
     
     
         8 . The therapeutic tool of  claim 1 , wherein use of the mat enables users to make substantial gains in one or more of the following areas: attention to task behavior; midline and bilateral play skills; articulation; use of expressive language; ambulatory skills; sensory integration skills; and attention-to-task behavior. 
     
     
         9 . A method for using a therapeutic tool for integrating motor, sensory and cognitive skills and progressively developing coordination and cognitive functioning, comprising the steps of:
 providing a mat having an upper surface with a plurality of colored shapes collectively forming a figure-8 path with four different legs, wherein at least some of the shapes are colored differently than at least others of the shapes;   wherein each leg of the figure-8 path comprises shapes with different colors, thereby prompting a user of the mat to progress along the figure-8 path.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein at least some of the shapes comprises lights, and further comprising a computer electronically connected to the mat, enabling the programming of the lights so that the lights may be turned on and off in predetermined sequences designed to prompt a user of the mat to progress along the figure-8 path. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein use of the tool enables users to make substantial gains in one or more of the following areas: attention to task behavior; midline and bilateral play skills; articulation; use of expressive language; ambulatory skills; sensory integration skills; and attention-to-task behavior.