This method is also known as “listening therapy” and “audio-psycho-phonology method” as developed by Professor A.Tomatis . We took Galen to Swiss French Cottage in Mentone where the Director, Peggy Brunet explained in detail that Galen would learn to listen and not simply hear the noises around him. Listening training aims at restoring the ear’s ability to listen in an efficient, organized and balanced manner. Some noises would send Galen into tantrum mode before the training, now he can define where the noise is coming from and what is causing it. This was not an expensive exercise apart from the travelling.
While not originally developed to treat autism, this method has shown encouraging results in the treatment of autism. About 60% of autistic children seem to respond positively to it. It is certainly not a cure, and none of the professionals using it claim to perform miracles. However in conjunction with other therapies, it can greatly improve the life of autistic children. Parents report that it speeds up other therapies and that their children overall become more present, more aware of their surrounding and that it improves their relationship with others. In many cases, language improves and behaviour changes, making the life of both the parent and children easier. Many autistic people are hypersensitive to sound. The intensity of their pain can be excruciating. That is why they try to cover up their ears with their hands, burst into huge temper tantrums or go into self stimulating activities.
The Listening Program
Listening training as developed by Prof.A.Tomatis is accomplished throught the use of sound stimulation .provided through an electronic device specially engineered to exercise the listening function, intense intervention is required initially.
The program starts with sound stimulation for two hours a day over a period of fourteen days. The subsequent blocks are usually of six or seven days and taken after a break of three or four weeks. Active microphone work is used so that the child or adult uses his or her own voice to assist in the process of re- education and self listening.
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