HEARING TESTING
AUDITORY INTEGRATION THERAPY (AIT) AND
TOMATIS® METHOD ROAD MAP
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When a diagnosis of Autism is being ruled out, a hearing test is typically ordered by a physician. There are a couple of different tests that can be done. Please ask lots of questions about the process especially if your child is non-verbal and/or reacts to being confined in a small space. Make sure the tests won't be inconclusive because the child isn't able to express what they hear.
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Recommended articles:
Special Learning, Inc. called Hearing Evaluation for children with Autism.
Recommended books:
"The Sound of a Miracle"The Inspiring True Story of A Mother's Fight to Free Her Child from Autism"
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Providers:
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Advent Pediatric Therapy Services
Where: 3376 Linden Street Bethlehem, PA 18017
Call: 610-392-4339
Email:office@adventtherapy.com
Website: http://www.adventtherapy.com/therapie/
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Children's Specialized Hospital
Where: 150 New Providence Road, Mountainside, New Jersey 07092
Call: 1-888-244-5373
Website: https://www.childrens-specialized.org/programs-and-services/outpatient-programs/audiology
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Lehigh Valley Hospital
Health and Wellness Center at Muhlenberg
Where: 1770 Bathgate Road, Bethlehem, PA
Call: 888-402-LVHN appts vary
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St. Luke's Hospital
Bethlehem - St. Luke's North Audiology and Hearing Aid Center
Phone: 484-526-3201
Phillipsburg – St. Luke’s Warren Audiology and Hearing Aid Center
Phone: 908-847-6758
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Hearing Assisted Equipment
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Pennsylvania's Telecommunication Device Distribution Program (TDDP)
Services: TDDP provides free, specialized equipment to eligible Pennsylvanians who have disabilities which prevent them from using regular phone equipment. Before making a final selection, you can borrow a phone from Pennsylvania's Assistive Technology Lending Library to try at home.
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Amplified Telephones-make incoming voice louder, plus adjustable ringer volume.
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Captioned Telephones-hear and read what the caller is saying
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Other phones-speaker, hands-free, cordless and picture phones and phones with large, tactile buttons.
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Signaling Devices-sound, lights or vibration alerts when phone rings
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TTY Devices-allow user to type and read telephone conversations.
Call: 800-204-7428 TTY: 866-268-0579
Email: TDDP@temple.edu
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What is Auditory Integration Therapy (AIT) ?
​Pioneered by Guy Bérard who developed it as a cure for clinical depression and suicidal tendencies, Bérard said he saw positive results for dyslexia and Autism. It typically involves 20 half-hour sessions over 10 days listening to specially filtered and modulated music. Sessions can be done in the office or in the home. It was used in the early 1990s as a treatment for autism; it has been promoted as a treatment for ADHD, depression, and a wide variety of other disorders. According to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics, AIT is considered experimental because studies lacked a control group and statistical results. Bérard's website is berardaitwebsite.com.
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What are the benefits?
Although it's not considered an evidence-based therapy from a professional standard, some children have made improvements in speech, behavior, and auditory processing.
Some of the benefits can be retraining the brain to improve the way he/she processes what they hear, improve focus, social skills, speech, balance and coordination, social anxiety and stuttering. Programs are individualized. Cost is covered privately. To access more information about benefits, click here http://www.aithelps.com.
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What is the difference between the Tomatis Method and AIT?
Bérard's method is based on Dr. Alfred Tomatis. Bérard's method has shorter sessions and the program can be brought to the home. The equipment is portable. Dr. Tomatis' method requires more office visits. Still researching evidence based statistics for both programs.
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Recommended ages: Anyone three years and older, including adults and people of all ages.
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​Professional Training: If you want to be trained in AIT, check out the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, click here: http://www.asha.org/policy/TR2004-00260
​Providers: To find a provider close to you, go to http://www.aithelps.com/autism_contact.php.
AUDIOLOGY PROVIDERS:
​Auditory Integration Training & Trained with Berard Auditory Integration Process
Contact: Terrie Silverman
Where: The Wanna Play Program, 8701A West Chester Pike, Upper Darby, PA 19082
Call: 262-569-7828
Email:terries@execpc.com
Website: http://www.aitforyou.com/
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​​What is Tomatis® Method ?
A listening therapy program that uses Mozart and Gregorian Chants to strengthen the muscles in the middle ear. Watch a 3-D video on how it works.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FN2PuKci6bo
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A brief history: ​Alfred A. Tomatis (1920-2001) was an internationally recognized otolaryngologist and inventor. His father was an opera singer and after he received a Doctorate in Medicine from the Paris School of Medicine, he began helping his father's colleagues improve their skills. He developed the Electronic Ear, a device to strengthen the muscles in the middle ear which sensitizes the listener to the missing frequencies. According to Tomatis' autobiography, he expressed regret for not providing statistics. However, there are independent studies that have been done to prove it's success. French authorities consider it to be an alternative medicine.
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What is the difference between Berard AIT and Tomatis Listening Therapy?
Bérard's method is based on Dr. Alfred Tomatis. Bérard's method has shorter sessions and the program can be brought to the home. The equipment is portable. Dr. Tomatis' method requires more office visits. Still researching evidence based statistics for both programs. Recommended ages: No age limit
What are the benefits?
Parents may see improvements in the following areas: voice quality, concentration, comprehension, reading ability, oral and written expression, motor skills, and calmer behavior. Click on the link to read FAQ's about the Tomatis® Method.
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​Interested in becoming a provider?
http://www.tomatis.com/en/professionnals/training-course.html
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AUDIOLOGY PROVIDERS:
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Advent Pediatric Therapy Services (Unable to confirm which listening method they use)
Where: 3376 Linden Street Bethlehem, PA 18017
Call: 610-392-4339
Email:office@adventtherapy.com
Website: http://www.adventtherapy.com/therapie/
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Easton Hospital (The Listening Program & Rhythmic Entrant Intervention)
Where: 3143 William Penn Highway, Easton, PA 18045
Call: 610-250-4232
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Valley Family Therapeutics (The Listening Program)
​Services: Music listening therapy that provides engaging brain stimulation to improve performance in school, work, and life.
Where: 551 E. Station Avenue, Coopersburg, PA 18036 and
New Location: 431 Chestnut St, Emmaus, PA 18049
Call: 484-863-9220
Website: http://www.valley-family.com/
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