Counseling Specialties
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Attention Deficit Disorder - Autism - Dyslexia & other Learning Disorders - Sensory Processing Disorders
Autism
The following information is taken from the web site
www.tomatis.com
What is it?
Autism is a developmental disorder that usually becomes evident during the first three years of life. It occurs in approximately 15 out of every 10,000 births. It is four times more likely to show up in boys than in girls. It’s been found throughout the world in all racial, ethnic and social backgrounds.
People with autism often suffer unbearable pain because they have multiple sensitivities. Many are hypersensitive to sounds. Some indicators of that hypersensitivity are:
Ø Covering their ears with their hands to protect themselves from the incoming sounds
Ø Bursting into huge temper tantrums due to the frustration of having to deal with the constantly incoming sounds
Ø Repeating the same words, phrases or sentences perhaps as a way to soothe or stabilize themselves in the face of the barrage of intense and confusing sounds.
Autism is considered a problem of sensory and communication. The Listening Program can make positive and lasting changes in both of these areas.
The Listening Program
The Listening Program is not a cure for autism. However, our listening therapy can greatly improve the life of many autistic people by alleviating many of the symptoms. It is used in conjunction with other therapies.
By stimulating the auditory system, which in turn stimulates the brain, The Listening Program has been able to reduce autistic symptoms to varying degrees. Because each autistic person is different, there will be different responses to the program. In some cases, results occur within a few weeks. Other cases take much longer. Unfortunately, there are a few percentages of individuals who are helped very little. Quite often, however, improvement is noted in the following areas:
Decreased hypersensitivity to sound
Ø Increased ability to deal with noise
Ø Increased connection to the surrounding environment because of less of feeling threatened by sounds
Ø Less temper tantrums and less repetitive behavior.
Ø Increase in paying attention.
Reduced tactile defensiveness
Ø More social
Ø More affectionate
Improved language skills
Ø Expanded articulation or words
Ø Language development beginning with vocalizing and babbling
Ø Improvement of expressive language with longer sentences and accurate words
Improved appreciation for food
Ø Acceptance of a greater variety of foods
Ø Acceptance of foods with different textures
Better self-image
Ø Growing sense of self develops
Ø Deeper awareness of the whole body
Improved social skills
Ø More contact and responses to others
Ø Better of following of directions
Ø More initiating contact with others
Less aggressive behavior
Ø Less aggressive towards others and themselves
Better eye contact
Ø More eye contact and verbal comprehension
