Theraputic listening program

[frizzcat]

Before I start with this one, I know others have done this therapy with no or little success. So this is my journey with TL program, just sharing ....
Ds 8 dx-ASD - has had severe issues with noise modulation. He can't concentrate, he's over sensitive, he either talked to loud or too quiet. He would need several prompts to complete tasks. He rarely listened and would sit in his own little world until someone told him what to do next in class.

I looked at AIT and TL respectively both had good results, but AIT was only available privately at a cost of £2000 plus ds would be out of school for the therapy, it just was'nf practical for us at the moment but I wouldn't rule it out in the future.
After a lengthy ugly battle, our NHS OT agreed to start ds on the program just before Christmas. I have to say the school, my dh.... Actually most people thought I was mad to think this would actually do anything.

Ds has jumped an entire academic level during the course of this therapy. He is communicating with staff to the point where most of the staff have commented on it. He's concentration levels are unrecognisable, previously he needed prompting every 1-11/2 mins to stay on task. Now, he's completing work assignments with 1-2 prompts if any. He's asking to play with other children (not all the time, but it was non-existent before). When he reads it does it clearly. His whole communication is just so much better. And last week one of the other children asked if he could come for a play date.
We've had some weeks during the therapy were ds had been upset and emotional, which we knew would happen - but nothing where we felt it was doing more harm than good. He understood why he was doing the therapy and so we were able to explain why he was feeling sad.

I've wanted to post this for a while, but was wary that people would think that I was saying this was miracle cure of sorts or that it would work for every child - I'm not and it won't. I just wanted to tell you in case anyone found it helpful and just to share.
Do I think the improvements will continue once we finish? I don't know? Were the improvements as a result of having breaks out of the classroom and at home to do the therapy? Possibly. I have put in place with the school some down time for ds during his day when the therapy finishes next week.
I've also had his statement amended (another ugly battle) so that he repeats this therapy next year. And the school are already on the OTs case to try and get this for other children.
Also the person who took time out to pm me with info on this - thanks so much still owe you big time

that osunds like really good progress, frizzcat.

I have often wondered about TL/AIT for dd1, so thanyou for posting this, it has been a very interesting read.

Cheers silver - posted this and then hid under a blanket

please don't ever worry about posting about success.

I have tried many 'alternative' therapies with dd1 - she follows a gf/cf diet, attends Sensory Integration OT, we have seen various consultants etc.

much of it has worked for her - it may or may not work for others, btu if I don't post about it, then other people may not even know about the therapy to try it (should they want to).

If it wasn't for this board, I would have been clueless as to how to help dd1 over the years - no one else tells us about this stuff!

Ds is doing this programme in school he is in the second month. The last two weeks in school, he has had the best two weeks out of the last five years of schooling.

He has been a lot calmer and less likely to have a meltdown over, losing, getting his work wrong, anything that he does that isn't perfect basically. I don't know if it is down to the programme or not tbh.

thanks for sharing, in despair we do want to give any thing a try whether it works or not. And it is does great as without trying how would we know.

That's one of the reasons I was reluctant to post Stacy - you never know if its the therapy, a placebo effect or just focused quiet down time. I was pointed in the direction of Sheila Frick who designed the program and her findings suggest the outcome we've seen corresponds with her findings. However, there is not much research because quite frankly it's hard to exactly measure how successes/failures have happened.
This last 12 weeks have been like the clouds have lifted a little and ds own sun has peaked through.

If I get nothing else from this, it's that ds is not a battle, he's not a journey and he's not autism, he's my ds with so much potential and so much to give. I'm slightly ashamed of myself that the clouds needed to part to remind me of this. If he reverts back to old ways, of course ill be devastated but that little glimpse is the boost to to keep me going and push push push for him to reach his potential....

Totally agree Stephanie

Googling, there seem to be different versions, what should I be looking for? And gosh, yes, wonderful for your ds, frizzcat! and I'd hope people would always feel able to share successes. Thanks for that :)

Post - I didn't know there were different versions of it tbh - I know different therapists use different music CDs depending on the child's needs. The one that our NHS OT used was developed by Sheila Frick, so try googling her name with Theraputic listening program

Congrats on this success, and thanks for sharing your experience, frizzcat

frizzcat, I'm delighted it has gone well for you.
I am an advocate of TL as it has, IMO, a good theory base.

If it is used according to Sheila Frick's protocol, I have seen some nice results.
BUT like any other therapy, I am suspicious of any 'cure all' claims.

Hi Fizzcat - just wanted to add my story if I may. DD had AIT at four years old. I thought it helped her a lot she seemed a lot more alert when we were out and about and no longer screamed the house down for 20 minutes when we had visitors.

We did the Theraputic Listening Programme through the NHS just after DD turned six. It was only a two week programme so not long enough in my opinion to see any changes.

I started the programme at home again in early January, however, we can only fit in one 30 minute session a day during the week but do two sessions over the weekend.

We seem to have seen improvements - DD's seems to complete academic tasks with not so much prompting and can at last do buttons up! Her motor skills seem more co-ordinated although it is hard to say if this would have happened anyway through natural development but I think it is too much of a coincidence.
Post - there are different types of this therapy - AIT, The Listening Programme and Theraputic Listening.
Frizz - yes DP thought I was wasting time and money but I think now he can see improvements but again whether it is down to TL or not who knows.

I think it is like lots of other therapies - some child might benefit and others not.

Sorry Frizzcat - meant to say it's great to hear your DS is doing so well and please keep us posted with any updates

Thanks, I will.

Dontknow - that does seem incredibly short. My understanding was, that the protocol was it was to follow through for 12wks. Glad you're seeing some improvements this time round.
Ds improvements to me seem related to this therapy as it seems to have struck a cord with him. I just want to be sure I'm presenting a balanced view rather than - "here's the fix we've all been waiting for". The fact still remains ds has ASD, he always will. It's my job to help work around it and with it to help him move forward.
I'd also say if it wasn't for ds school agreeing to run the therapy on week days and us on the holidays and weekends we would have struggled. Is your school able to assist? BTW by ds is statemented so his TA was able to do it with him.

hope the Freddie friendship going well!

Frizz, it is still going well !

We are going through a very calm phase with DS (perhaps before tween/teenage hormones etc kick in).

dontknow as Frizz says, the TL programme works if it is used twiceX30 minutes per day for about 12 weeks. The therapist should be reviewing it weekly and changing it up for maximum benefit. A break after that intensity is advised to allow the brain to 'bed in' the benefits.

I have been advised to use the Listening Programme on DD (7). We did the Scan test and it appears my DD would benefit, but I am really torn - because of expense. My DD has dyspraxic issues, is a poor reader and writes and draws very immaturely. She needs to be prompted lots to do tasks, especially dressing in the morning. To those of you who have experience, does this sound like a profile that could possibly benefit from this therapy?

Who advised you?
And can you access it locally through NHS OT??

Lots of profiles benefit from TL if it is impemented as per protocol

implemented.......

I was advised by the people who did the Scan test - who would also provide the programme. We have no involvement with NHS OT - would not know how to get that going.

Tesla - ring gp or check in with your SENCO and see how you can get referred to your local OT or you could try your paediatrician.
I don't have much knowledge dyspraxia - but I thought that any fine motor skill issues (writing) would require their support even if its only to give her exercises.
In our case it was the outreach team who referred us.