We offer a unique approach here at The Dan, Center for Autism Wellness and Recovery.
The Dan Center’s House of Many Windows approach is a “living concept.”
It is an assessment and research driven program for effective management of brain channel
dysfunctions in individuals with Learning and Autism Spectrum Disorders. With the advent of
new research, theories and interventions; the Berard AIT, Tomatis, Sensory Integration, Irlen
Syndrome Screening, Linda Mood Bell, PECS utilization continues to evolve.
Our approach enlists the use of sound based integrative therapies and sensory integration that
enhance listening, communication skills, overcome hearing distortions and learning difficulties;
as well as diagnostic tests, educational, nutritional, sensory and behavioral profiles for an
individualized listening program. We provide remedial therapies that deal with challenges
related to Dyslexia, Autism, sensory integration disorders, multi-channel developmental delay,
central auditory processing disorder (CAPD), attention deficit disorder ADD, ADHD, and other
learning disorders.
www.berardaitwebsite.com
AIT is sound-based intervention focused on retraining the auditory system which in turn
improves the body’s reaction to sensory overload or sensory dysfunction in the brain.
Dr. Guy Berard, @www.drguyberard.com a French ENT physician, developed AIT to help
individuals with listening and processing difficulties.
“The Sound of a Miracle,” by Annabel Stehli documents how when institutionalization was
suggested for her autistic daughter, Georgiana, that idea was nixed and they went to France
where AIT was the pivotal intervention in her recovery.
Today, Georgiana is a college educated daughter, wife and mother.
20/20 with Hugh Downs recognized the lasting effects of Berard AIT on Georgiana decades after
initial training was provided.
The late Dr. Rimland, together with Dr. Edelson of the Autism Research Institute in San Diego,
skeptics at first, did an extensive study of 400 individuals receiving AIT and had been repeatedly
asked,” Does it work?” And his reply, “Yes, it works.”
Regularly, the Autism Research Institute recognizes recovered children and their parents who
have explored alternative approaches like AIT.
The Tomatis Method (Tomatis®)
www.Tomatis.com
Tomatis Method was developed by French physician Alfred A. Tomatis based on the
synergistic effect among the ear, the voice, and the brain. The Tomatis Effect www.tomatis.com
of sound stimulation is achieved via needs assessment and active listening to individualized
filtered music program in a sensory integration setting at The Dan Center.
“Awakening Ashley,” www.awakeningashley.com, a book by Sharon Ruben a meticulous
researcher who documented her autistic child Ashely’s astounding recovery from the depths of
non-verbal autistic behavior to normal and recovered.
National exposure was given to the Tomatis Method as both Katie Couric and Peter Jennings
covered this story, and most recently, Lisa Rinna's “Soap Talk” on April 10, 2006.
Sensory Integration
Anne Jean Ayres, PhD, OTR, FAOTA
Sensory Integration is a concept developed by Anne Jean Ayres, PhD, OTR, FAOTA.
As a child, Dr. Ayres wrestled with learning issues not unlike those she would study later in life.
As an Occupational Therapist, Dr. Ayres' research, was the genesis of the theory that children
who had a sensory integrative dysfunction suffered from a misunderstood disability.
Frustrated parents who once misunderstood a child's inability to finish a seemingly simple task;
teachers who labored over a student's poor reading skills, repeated reversal of letters,
confusion of words; counselors who were perplexed over a child's aggressiveness on
innocuous issues, finally had an explanation.
This concept revolutionized pediatric Occupational Therapy, educational, and behavioral
management of individuals with sensory integration disorders in the school systems and
beyond.
Sensory Defensiveness and Sensory Diet
Sensory Defensiveness and Sensory Diet, a concept named by Occupational Therapist Patricia
Wilbarger OTR, FAOTA, MEd, is an individualized program of specific sensory input or stimuli to
an individual’s brain channels in action, 24/7.
Through an OT’s assessment driven program, reduction or enhancement of identified sensory
input is pursued. Through reduction of ambient, unnecessary stimuli that may distract and
interfere with daily life; or through enhancement of deficient stimuli; increased focus, attention,
organization and learning is achieved.
Sensory Integration and the Brain Channels™
is how the brain channels organize stimuli coming in from the outside world for a functional
outcome.
A functional outcome can be seen
- in how the child responds to environmental demands effectively
- in how the child perceives the world and himself;
- in how well the child builds upon experience and training
There are seven channels that process stimuli, they are:
- vision channel
- hearing channel
- vestibular channel
- proprioceptive channel
- tactile channel
- taste channel
- olfactory channel
According to Carl Delacato, EdD in his book, “The Ultimate Stranger, The Autistic Child,” when
one or more of the channels are malfunctioning, stimulation to the brain may be delivered too
much, too little, or in a distorted manner.
When there is too much, the child may be hyper.
When there is too little, the child may be hypo.
When there is distortion, the child perceives GARBLED stimulus, similar to T.V. white noise.
When a child exhibits repetitive, withdrawal or disruptive behavior such as head banging, arm
flapping, rocking, tuning out from the world, and or humming, they are in SURVIVAL MODE.
It is an attempt to regulate or modulate the stimulus perceived from the environment, the child
may exhibit:
-head banging,
to satisfy the need for more vestibular stimuli
-tuning out the world,
to block out excessive noise or auditory stimuli
-humming,
to mask overwhelming white noise from their own internal system
It is also this attempt that “steals the child’s attention from reality.”
It is also this exercise that enables them to survive in a world whose Brain Channels perceive
stimuli differently from theirs.
Behavior is the child’s message to the outside world which brain channels are affected.
Through Brain Channel™ Assessment, we learn which channels need intervention, and we can
help train the child and the caregiver to normalize these channels.
Practical applications are provided to the caregiver for use in the home, school and community
to ensure continuity of the sensory integration-brain channel program.
