Music Based Tomatis
Programs at A+ Academy -Melbourne, Florida 321 751-1313
| How Tomatis works | Who can benefit | Research studies | Overview of Tomatis Method | T he DLS Treatment Process |
The Listening Program (TLP) |
TLP Tomatis Based
Bone Conduction Services available now
DLS Tomatis available in July -August 2007
Transform your child's life with the power of Tomatis-
Many of us, children and adults alike, are not "listening" or "learning"
to our fullest potential. In fact, many people experience "listening
disabilities" or "auditory disabilities" and do not realize it.
This
is
a
non-pharmacological
program
that could benefit anyone, but especially individuals who have
difficulties in the areas of auditory perception, processing, and
memory. In children, auditory problems may be identified by speech and
language problems, sensitivity to sounds, poor attention, learning or
reading disabilities, difficulty remembering or following directions,
difficulty in speech production or expressing oneself, difficulty with
listening comprehension as well as reading comprehension, difficulty
with social interactions, or auditory self-stimulation such as constant
humming or self-talk.
In adults, auditory problems may manifest as difficulty retaining
auditory information, poor job performance, poor attentiveness, sound
sensitivity, or speech/language and voice concerns. Those with a hearing
loss need an auditory stimulation program that will aid in improving the
functional use of their hearing. So although actual hearing levels may
remain the same (as indicated on an audiogram), our program may help to
train the individual's listening skills so that existing hearing may be
used more efficiently.
Did you know that adults and children who have had a history of ear infections are at a higher risk for having difficulties in auditory perception? When auditory perception is distorted—whether through illness, injury, developmental or other challenges—auditory processing problems can lead to academic, emotional, cognitive and social challenges, including problems with the following:
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These weaknesses or problems in processing sound can adversely affect us
in many ways including difficulties with:
- Over
sensitivity to sounds
- Easily
distracted by sounds
- Low energy
level
- Sleeping
soundly
- Social
interactions
- Vestibular
issues including balance and coordination
- Attention
and focusing
- ADD / ADHD
- Retaining
auditory information
- Following
directions
- Reading
comprehension problems
- Speech
production and autism
- Learning difficulties and Dyslexia
Whether you are
interested in improving brain health for longevity, expanding your own
abilities or helping someone you care about, TLP can make a significant
difference. Decades of clinical experience combined with the evolution
of new technology have made important new advances possible. An
unprecedented cross-disciplinary team (including professionals in
neurology, psychiatry, neurodevelopment, education, speech pathology,
psychoacoustics, music and sound engineering) came together to conceive
and design the -- the next generation of auditory stimulation
technology. Extensive training in that technology has allowed Incredible
Horizons to specialize in Listening Therapy Programs for attention,
learning and emotional/behavioral issues.
A+ Academy
of Melbourne, is now taking registration for Tomatis delivered through
Dynamic Listening Systems’ (DLS) programs combine music with the natural
hearing processes to re-train the ear, thus improving our ability to
listen, to learn, and to communicate better with ourselves and the world
around us. Bone Conduction, used at Incredible Horizons, is a
specialized delivery method of Tomatis, which presents the music
simultaneously through two different sound conduction pathways, air and
bone. The combination of air and bone conduction stimulation deepens and
accelerates the benefits of Tomatis.
Incredible Horizons’
Tomatis equipment sends the music through the air conduction pathway, as
you would normally experience through headphones. However, there is also
a transducer in the headband of the headphones, which delivers the music
through gentle vibration of the skull bone. The skull bone provides a
direct, clear transmission of sound to the cochlea and vestibular
systems in the inner ear, by passing the middle ear.
The innovative
Tomatis equipment that we use was designed to help balance, strengthen,
and/or restore our ability to listen to and process sounds across the
full auditory spectrum, from 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz. This can result in
striking improvements in all areas of our lives, from academic (or job)
performance to emotional balance. Good listening is at the heart of all
communication, and for good listening to take place we need a healthy
ear. Not just an ear that receives sound accurately, but one that
fulfills the ear's role in reading, processing, learning, paying
attention, and moving.
Tomatis-based
auditory stimulation programs, often referred to as "listening
programs", have been seeing positive results for decades; however, most
of the practitioners/centers have been in
If you are at a stand still or plateau with other therapies-ie. ABA, Floortime etc.-you have probably benefited all you can from that therapy until you improve how the brain actually functions. Programs like ABA and floortime can only be as effective as the current neurological construct allows them to be. The neuro-technology aspect of DLS Tomatis' will improve neurological functioning of the brain thus, maximizing the ability to learn. Furthermore, DLS Tomatis has proven itself to be the most refined and efficient Tomatis based program in today's market. More on Brain Plasticity
The DLS Tomatis
could just as easily be termed “training” as remediation, because we are
essentially training the auditory system, and its connections to the
brain, to function more effectively. Studies have shown that people
coping with reading and general literacy difficulties, dyslexia,
dyspraxia, ADHD, autism, poor concentration/memory,
auditory processing difficulties have all made progress beyond what
would be expected through maturation alone.
Some of the mental benefits:
· Improved
attention span, less distractible
· Disrupts others less often
· Improved reading aloud and spelling, initiates reading
· Increased vocabulary, improved sentence structure, asking more
complex questions
· Language more appropriate, improvement in social interaction
· Math seems easier
· Improved motivation, organization and self help skills, more
punctual
· Less irritable, more open-minded
· Better at beginning and completing tasks
Some of the emotional benefits:
· Increased
self-esteem and confidence, less overwhelmed
· More appropriate interactions with people, makes friends more
easily,
sense of humor
· More aware of meaning of voice tone, facial and body language
Some of the physical benefits:
· More eye contact, talking and communication, clearer speech
· Improvement in writing and drawing skills
· Less sensitive to certain sounds
View video on TLP Tomatis based program http://www.advancedbrain.com/media/video/Australia_TLP_100k.mov
Incredible Horizons offers several levels of music based Tomatis programs- They vary in price and the supervision that is required. The more therapeutic intensity that there is in the application -the more supervision is required. The increased intensity of the therapeutic input has been documented to accelerate change.
The A+ Academy position and solution to the bio-chemical link-The learning disabled brain uses five times the amount of neural firings than the typical brain to learn. It is imperative that a student with learning disabilities has the additional brain food in the supplement Balance Formula 1. That is especially true when using neuro-technology like music based Tomatis. Balance Formula 1 allows the brain to function better, process information better and prevents visual and sensory fatigue. A high protein, low sugar and carbohydrates diet often helps too. See below for more info on the only supplement known to aide in auditory and sensory integration, as well as in developing and maintaining better speech.
Listening Checklist so see if you will need a Tomatis Based Program
Click Here to see what level program/discount you can receive as an A+ Academy Student
Research
The
DLS Tomatis program is based on
the work of Dr. Alfred A. Tomatis.
Tomatis-based auditory stimulation
programs, often referred to as "listening programs", have been
seeing positive results for decades; however, most of the
practitioners/centers have been in Europe. Today the number of
practitioners in the U.S. and Canada is growing for the simple reason
that auditory stimulation delivers significant results for a broad
variety of problems, especially when integrated with other therapies.
Since the 1950’s, we have been learning about the great influence that
sound, and particularly specially engineered music based on the
principles of Dr. Alfred Tomatis, has on the functioning of the ears,
the body and the brain. The auditory system in the ears passes the
energy of sound on to the brain and to the rest of the nervous system of
the body. People of all ages around the world have benefited from the
remarkable effects of auditory training with modified music.
Ron Minson,
MD trained personally by Dr. Tomatis. Dr. Minson has spent the last 14
years practicing and refining and updating Dr. Tomatis’s ground breaking
theories.
Ron Minson, M.D., co-developer of Dynamic Listening System (DLS) Tomatis, employs techniques and methodology derived from his personal training with Dr. Tomatis. He was a close friend and student of Dr. Tomatis, and used the Tomatis equipment for many years. In 1992, Dr. Minson founded DLS with the purpose of developing a listening system, which utilizes the most recent advances in psychoacoustic technology. The physiological and cognitive differences between hearing and listening that he defined form the foundational design of the DLS equipment and training; however, over the past decade Dr. Minson has improved upon the technological component of the original Tomatis method - e.g. the recording quality, frequency range, and stereo delivery - essentially updating the method to take advantage of 21st Century audial technology. Dynamic Listening Systems, Inc. (DLS) has quickly become recognized as the premier supplier of therapeutic listening technology and training.
The
Key? Combining a listening protocol
with therapeutic services, clients can make changes very rapidly.
Seeing the joy, energy and freedom from many disabling symptoms is
highly gratifying. That same reward is experienced by the more than
forty international Dynamic Listening Systems practitioners around
the world! The DLS and A+ Connection
A+ has supported Dr. Minson’s efforts to refine Tomatis since they were introduced to DLS Tomatis in early 2001. Holly Fales was working on her master’s thesis on Tomatis Therapy. After attending a short meeting with Dr. Minson on Tomatis-(which was intended, by Holly, to end with the ability to observe a few sessions for her research)-they enrolled their daughter (Hope) immediately. Hope loved it and Holly soon signed up for her own sessions to repair neurological damage from a jaw surgery. As Holly’s research and experience with the DLS Tomatis Program intensified so did her faith in it.
The
Fales family moved to
Hope’s Triumph-Beating Genetics-Hope, adopted at birth by the Fales, had been diagnosed with so many disabilities: starting at an early age with pervasive developmental delays (PDD), Autism, then on to Sensory Integration Disorder, CAPD (Auditory Processing Deficit), dyslexia & convergence issues, ADHD, Asperger’s, etc. It seemed like every specialist gave her symptoms a new label when she was younger. No one in her birth family had ever finished high school because of such deficits in their family. The Fales sought solutions to keep her from such a predicament. Now, she is ahead of others her age in reading (gaining two years of reading in each of the last two years) and has very few symptoms left for occupational therapists and speech therapists to work with.
This
year she (age 9) held down a three hour discussion with a
paleontologist-
who
was impressed with her knowledge of dinosaurs, history and science.
That is an astounding feat for a child that once had such severe
language and reading deficits.
She had A’s in every subject (all
four terms) this year. Her rehabilitation began with Dr. Ron Minson and
DLS Tomatis. She continued to improve on
The Listening Program and the Advanced Brain Technology
programs and music. She has always been grateful to Alex Doman and
Richard Lawrence for such great products.
Tomatis (DLS & TLP) has always been Hope’s preferred therapy-
It’s music, headphones, and the ability to have fun during therapy has
brought her from PDD to confidently looking forward to college in order
to work with autistic children.
This incredible outcome is more than The Fales ever imagined.
***Hope also takes Balance Formula 1 to provide nutritional support for enhancing brain function, especially in the areas of sensory integration and speech.
Who Can Benefit From DLS Tomatis
The following points
describe some of the areas in which DLS Tomatis have consistently shown
success.
-
Attention difficulties:
A well-modulated vestibular system is important for controlling the
nervous system’s level of arousal. DLS Tomatis bone conduction
headphones and frequency filtration stimulate the vestibular system
in specific ways that improve our ability to maintain a calm and
alert state. A DLS Tomatis process called “gating” strengthens
muscles within the middle ear responsible for filtering out unwanted
noise, thus improving our ability to discriminate and process
sounds. Additionally, the gradual introduction and focus on higher
frequencies in a DLS Tomatis program provides the stimulus craved by
the under-attentive brain.
-
Auditory processing:
The vestibular and cochlear systems are 2 of our 3 main systems for
organizing sensory input (vision being the 3rd). Together they form
an interdependent system which allows us to detect and analyze
sound, control balance and movement (including eye movement), and
integrate our touch, hearing, and vision. DLS Tomatis applies
controlled stimulation of the vestibule and cochlea, thereby
improving the integration and efficiency of sensory input to the
brain.
-
Learning difficulties:
Sound enters the ear as a myriad of frequencies and intensities.
The cochlea, within the inner ear is in charge of discerning the
various frequencies. If the cochlea is not functioning well, we
have poor “selectivity” and have a hard time telling the difference
between a “P” and “B”, or “T” and “D”. DLS programs are proven to
increase selectivity ability, resulting in better classroom
performance and increased confidence.
-
Self-esteem:
One of the greatest areas of improvement we see with DLS Tomatis
clients is their self-esteem. When we are processing information
better, performing better in school and at work, we naturally feel
better about ourselves. On a physiological level, it is worth
noting that sound stimulation is received by more parts of the brain
than any other sensory input. This includes the limbic system,
which plays a major role in our emotional well-being.
-
Alertness, focus, energy:
Research has shown that if we deprive ourselves of sensory stimuli
we are unable to function effectively. A majority of our sensory
stimulation is received via the vestibular/cochlear system. If that
system is hindered, the results can be seen in our brain’s ability
to function well. Sound is, literally speaking, nutrition for the
brain. On an anatomical level, the feeling of alertness resulting
from a “healthy ear” occurs when sensory input coming through the
vestibular-cochlear system is channeled to a system at the base of
the brain known as the ascending reticular activating system (
-
Brain injury:
The DLS Tomatis
helps those with MTBI (mild traumatic brain injury) by
re-establishing intra-neural connections (synapses) that are often
broken during a head injury. Most commonly, clients see
improvements in the following areas: mood, energy level, depth
perception, attention, forgetfulness, organization.
SCIENCE – HOW
DLS
TOMATIS WORKS
Make
Learning and Development Change Naturally with Tomatis-
There are 5 scientific principles that demonstrate a connection between
the voice, the ear, and the brain. Sound therapy repatterns,
establishes, and/or enlivens these connections so that the body receives
the information more clearly, thereby allowing learning and general
developmental functioning to develop along a natural continuum. As a
result, listening improves, thinking becomes clearer, processing is
enhanced, reading is easier and better understood, movement and
coordination skills improve, language becomes more meaningful, and
attention and focus improves. The neuroplasticity of the brain supports
the changes and overall learning and development can improve.
Looking
at the ear physiologically, with its direct connection to the brain, it
is easy to see how important it is to our learning, language, emotions,
physical movement, and overall health. A few key facts help illustrate
the ear’s important role:
- We
read with our eyes
and
ears.
- A
dominant right ear improves learning ability.
Language is processed in the left hemisphere of the brain. The right
ear is directly connected to the “left brain," the left ear is
connected to the “right brain.” A dominant right ear has the
quicker, more direct path to the language side of the brain.
-
The vestibular and cochlear systems,
located in the inner ear, work together to relay sensory input to
the brain. They play a key role in our ability to integrate our
senses, and their successful interaction is essential for language
development, sensory processing and motor function.
-
Pitch discrimination (“selectivity”), our ability to determine
whether a pitch is high or low, is very important to classroom
performance and self-confidence.
The meaning of what we’re trying to convey is carried in large part
by the tone of
our speech. Those with poor selectivity often can not hear the tone
and therefore the meaning.
-
Selectivity is also important to help us distinguish between letters
that sound alike.
Those who
struggle with the difference between a “p” and “b”, or a “t” and “d”
are at a disadvantage in reading, spelling and writing.
Tomatis listening programs stimulate:
| The
Auditory System for
more focused and more accurate listening, improved speech The Vestibular System for better balance, motor coordination, muscle tone, relaxation The Brain for improved sensory integration, eye contact, language, memory, mood, attention span The Spirit for greater motivation, self-confidence, desire to connect with others |
The added benefit of iLs activities
DLS Tomatis uses a
variety of safe auditory techniques to improve learning, attention, and
well-being. The most salient of these are listed below.
Sound
waves entering the outer ear
are transformed into electrical impulses in the inner ear and sent to
the brain; those impulses provide energy to the brain and influence our
ability to focus and sustain attention. (Brain scans show, for example,
that children with AD/HD lack ‘energy’
in key parts of the brain for attention and focus.)
Bone conduction:
Most of us are not aware of it, but we hear sounds in 2 ways – through
air conduction and bone conduction. The odd sensation of hearing our own
voice on a recording and not recognizing it is because on the recording
we only hear the air conducted sound of our voice. When we speak, we
hear our voice through both air and bone conduction (which is why
audiologists check our hearing by placing a vibrator on the mastoid bone
right behind the ear; this tests our bone conduction response).
Lower frequencies in
particular lend themselves to conduction by bone. These frequencies
seem to have a very positive effect on our vestibular function. The
process is as natural and safe as listening to a church choir or
talented baritone voice, yet yields significant results with DLS
protocols.
Frequency Filtration:
Based partly on the theory that those who can hear more of the auditory
spectrum have an advantage in learning, DLS/ iLs Tomatis programs employ
gradually increasing filtration levels. By filtering, or letting only
certain frequencies through, we are able to selectively train parts of a
client’s auditory spectrum, improving learning-related abilities such as
pitch discrimination (selectivity), sound decoding, and auditory memory.
Gating:
The muscles
of the inner ear have as one of their functions the job of screening out
unwanted sounds. DLS/ iLs Tomatis gating separates music into 2 channels,
alternating (or “gating”) them, with one channel boosting high
frequencies and the other channel boosting low frequencies as the music
volume increases and decreases. This causes the muscles in the middle
ear to continuously tighten and relax, a process that strengthens them.
As the muscles become stronger so does our ability for focused listening
and paying attention.
Expressive
language Training:
Audio/Vocal training is incorporated into the latter part of the DLS/
iLs
program once the auditory foundation is in place to train our speaking
voices. The training involves reading aloud and repeating phrases into
a microphone, and then listening to the play-back. This develops the
auditory/vocal feedback loop: Is what I am saying matching what I
intended to say? Am I speaking clearly? A rich speaking voice has the
natural effect of continually energizing and stimulating the brain. The
audio/vocal training is also used as a means of helping those who are
left-ear dominant strengthen their right ear listening capability.
The
Program Process
Incredible
Horizons offers several levels of music based Tomatis programs- They
vary in price and the supervision that is required. The more therapeutic
intensity that there is in the application -the more supervision is
required.
The increased
intensity of the therapeutic input has been documented to accelerate
change.
We can help you select the program that is best for you.
- Dynamic
Listening System
(center-based program - individualized, all sessions are done under
supervision) Services will be available late July or early August
- iListen Ipod or The Listening Program CD's with Bone Conduction (home/school program - programmed iPod & special headphones, weekly supervision) Often used as prelude to DSL or a maintenance program afterwards. Can be purchased from Incredible Horizons
- The Listening Program 8-10 specialized CDs or iListen Ipod's without bone conduction (home/school program - occasional supervision) Can be used as a prelude to bone conduction or a maintenance program-Can be purchased from Incredible Horizons
iListen and The Listening Program are 15-30 minute sessions for the duration of the program.
Although the DLS
program length varies per individual,
a typical program involves 23-30
sessions of 1 hour and 20 minutes each, with one or two 3-week breaks in
the middle. Sessions occur 2-3 times per week. The
entire program, including the 3-week break(s), is usually completed
within a 3-4 month period.
Prior to
beginning the program,
we have a brief
phone conversation with you to discuss your challenges and to determine
suitability for a listening program.
Step I -
Listening Test and Evaluation
We hear sounds via
bone conduction (a process which begins prior to birth) and air
conduction. The Tomatis Listening Test measures both bone and air
conduction, and provides the basis for the client’s remediation program.
The test takes about 20 minutes and is given again at varying stages
throughout the program to gauge progress and provide feedback to the
clinician. An extensive interview and evaluation are done concurrent
with the Listening Test to review relevant history, concerns and goals.
Step II -
Reviewing Your Auditory Training Program with Your Clinician
The specific program
for each client is determined after the client interview/assessment and
Listening Test analysis. Each individualized program outlines the length
and number of listening sessions, combined with other interventions your
clinician may be employing. Those with seizures and meniears disease
will need to use precautions and progress through The Listening Program
(TLP) with out bone conduction and build up to DLS Tomatis.
Step III –
The Program
All programs vary
according to the client’s specific condition; however, a typical core
program involves 23-30 sessions @ 1 hour and 20 minutes each, with one
or two 3-week breaks in the middle. There are 2 phases, receptive and
expressive, which model the sequence of developmental language
acquisition. Intensive (Fast paced) programs can be scheduled for out of
state/country clients.
Phase I – The
Receptive Phase:
This phase combines full spectrum with filtered sounds, primarily
classical music, at gradually increasing frequencies (filtration and
frequency range vary according to client’s condition and developmental
age – i.e. highly filtered music can be too stimulating to an immature
nervous system, as seen in autistic and neuro-developmentally delayed
children). The receptive phase of the program “opens” the ear, charges
the nervous system and improves auditory processing. The duration of
this phase is generally 15 sessions @ 1 hour and 20 minutes each. A
Listening Test and consultation are given at Session 7 or 8, and again
at Session 15.
> Three-Week Break
allowing for assimilation <
Phase II – The
Expressive Phase:
Following a 3-week break, a Listening Test is given again,
changes/feedback are discussed, and the program for the next 8 sessions
is reviewed. The expressive phase addresses the ear-voice control loop,
that is, the energizing effect and experience of hearing one’s own
voice. The client hums, sings, or speaks into a microphone; the sounds
are electronically enriched and fed back through the headphones. This
“expressive listening” increases our ability to truly listen to one’s
self and to move into effective dialog and communication with others. A
listening test is given at the end of the 8 sessions.
In the case of a
30-session program,
a final 7-session phase begins after another 3-week break.
Completion/Follow-up:
Upon completion of the program, a review of initial
goals is undertaken and progress is evaluated. Any tests
done at the beginning
of the program (e.g. LAC, SCAN, IVA) are repeated for a
before-and-after
analysis. A follow-up consultation with the clinician
after 2-3 months is advisable
to ensure that the gains are stable and being maintained.
(This follow-up
appointment is usually offered at no charge. We recommend
that clients
purchase Ilisten Ipod or TLP as a maintenance program for
home use after the DLS
program.)
Activities During Listening:
The DLS Tomatis
headsets have long cords so listeners are free to walk about, play
games, or just rest. Specific therapeutic activities designed by
occupational therapists or other professionals may be done during
listening. Children usually enjoy “quiet activities” such as crafts,
playing with toys, painting, etc., while most adults prefer to sit and
listen quietly. Homework, office work, and intense mental activities are
discouraged. Chewing gum and eating are not allowed as they might
interfere with auditory processing.
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Click below for Today Show with Katie Couric on Tomatis and Autism
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NOTE:
Clients with seizures, meniears disease and mood disorders need to start with TLP. Once they have completed a round of that then bone conduction TLP. This process carefully introduces Tomatis to your system in a slower manner.
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A+
Academy services to enhance brain power are open to the
public.
Call 321 751-1313 to schedule an appointment.
A+
Academy
is Accepting:
Students of all abilities, Dyslexia,
ADHD/LD, Cerebral Palsy,
Developmental Delays, Autism
Sensory and Processing Difficulties
*****Students enrolled in A+ enjoy discounts on these services
Holly Fales -Authorized Provider TLP
Russ Fales Operations + Admissions-Certified Provider with Bone
Conduction
Phone 321-751-1313
Fax 321-751-3838