By Gretchen Sauerman
Staff writer

MELBOURNE - By the time Hope Fales was in kindergarten, she had been diagnosed with nearly 10 different disabilities.

"It seemed like every specialist gave her symptoms a new label when she was younger," said her mother, Holly Fales.

Doctors suspected pervasive developmental delays, autism, sensory integration disorder, auditory processing deficit, dyslexia, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, Asperger's syndrome and other diagnoses, Ms. Fales said.

Now 10 years old, Hope has very few symptoms, and is ahead of her grade level in math and reading, Ms. Fales said.

"She held down a three-hour discussion with a paleontologist, who was impressed with her knowledge," said Russ Fales, Hope's father.

After adopting Hope at birth, the Fales discovered that no one in her birth family had ever finished high school because of learning disabilities.

Fortunately, the Fales have extensive experience dealing with children with learning delays.

Together, the pair oversee the A+ Academy, an educational alternative for children with dyslexia, autism, ADHD and other developmental delays.

Through their contacts with researchers in the field of childhood developmental delays, the Fales were able to get Hope into early testing for a new therapy.

"I was one of the original kids back in 2001 (to be in the program)," said Hope.

She worked with doctors in Colorado and Utah, using audio techniques developed by Dynamic Listening Systems and Advanced Brain Technology.

The two companies have products that use music to improve neurological functioning and decrease sensitivity to sounds.

The technologies have added bone conduction, a small device at the top of special headphones that allows vibrations from the music to be felt through the skull, to improve results.

Hope's progress, a result of the listening programs and hard work with occupational and physical therapists, is not an isolated case.

Both companies have reported impressive statistics on their Web sites.

In one study by speech-language pathologist Deborah Ross-Swain, the Dynamic Listening System resulted in an average overall improvement of auditory processing of almost 50 percent in test patients.

Another DLS study demonstrated an increase in academic gains of nearly two years for children using the intervention for a three-month period.

The Advanced Brain Technology studies also show improvements in academic function.

A two-year study by educational psychologist Gwyneth G. Jeyes, of 23 children found that all children showed progress during the study period, with 79 percent seeing above average gains in math, language and reading.

The two companies use different equipment, but both base their products on auditory therapy.

"It's still a bit like comparing apples and oranges," said Randall Redfield, DLS marketing director in Colorado.

The DLS program was co-founded by Dr. Ron Minson, who studied under auditory stimulation pioneer Dr. Alfred Tomatis, said Mr. Redfield.

"Tomatis is a household name in Europe," said Ms. Fales. "Europeans been using Tomatis (technique) for a long time."

The technology is being introduced for the first time at A+ Academy, 1855 Lansing St., Melbourne.

The school accepts McKay scholarships and private tuition. Therapy is available to outside students for an additional fee.

For information, call (321) 751-1313. DLP and ABT information is available at www.dynamiclistening.com and www.advancedbrain.com.

 

Contact Gretchen Sauerman at (321) 751-5961 or e-mail her at sauerman@hometownnewsol.com.