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Posts Tagged 'autism'

Modified Classical Music on iPods Helps Toilet Train Liverpool Children

The Liverpool Echo published an article today about the results of a pilot study which examined the effects of modified classical music and a specific protocol to help children with autism and other cognitive and developmental challenges to be toilet trained. This is a world first project, conducted by June Rogers head of NHS Liverpool Community Health’s Integrated Paediatric Continence Service.

Children listened to 30 minutes of music a day through a special audio system which provided the music through both auditory pathways, air and bone conduction. The outcomes are positive and have been presented at European conferences. We now await approval for a large scale clinical trial to confirm these results in a larger sample size.

Continence problems severely impact quality of life, self esteem, and have large costs associated with supporting these children as they enter school. Our protocol holds promise to help children with toilet training problems, reduce costs of services to them, and help them live a happier more fulfilling life.

Note that the program name in the article is incorrect. What is referenced as the Listening Project is supposed to be The Listening Program® developed by Advanced Brain Technologies in Ogden, Utah.

Read the full article

UPDATE: Thank you to the staff at the Liverpool Echo for making the correction to the program name!

Girls with Rett Syndrome Benefit from The Listening Program

Published April 29, 2010 The Listening Program , brain research , music research 1 Comment
Tags: autism, brain research, developmental disorder, International Rett Syndrome Foundation, music therapy, Rett syndrome, Rett syndrome research, sensory processing, The Listening Program, x chromosone

Rett syndrome is a unique developmental disorder first recognized in infancy and is generally seen in girls. It is often misdiagnosed as autism, cerebral palsy, or a developmental delay. Caused by mutations in the X chromosome it occurs in 1 of every 10,000-23,000 female births. Rett syndrome causes problems in the brain affecting; learning, communication, sensory processing, movement, breathing, cardiac function, chewing, swallowing, digestion, and more.

The host of challenges that come with a Rett syndrome diagnosis affect the family as a whole, with most individuals requiring assistance in most every aspect of their life. The needs vary through the four stages of Rett syndrome from Early Onset, Rapid Destructive, Plateau, and on to Late Motor Deterioration.

A British research study showed that 5 girls with Rett Syndrome benefitted from listening to a music listening method developed by my company Advanced Brain Technologies called The Listening Program®. The findings show improvements in a number of areas with the strongest trend toward increased engagement and decreased anxiety. Sensory processing appears to be improving which is consistent with outcomes of other studies. These findings were presented by the investigator Helen Francis at the International Rett Syndrome Congress in Paris back in October 2008.

We are encouraged by these results and the potential to improve the quality of life for those with Rett syndrome. A larger controlled trial should be conducted, and I am hopeful this study will help make that happen.

Review the research poster and learn more about Rett syndrome at the International Rett Syndrome Foundation.

Webinar-The Listening Program and Autism Spectrum Disorders

Published December 18, 2009 The Listening Program , auditory system , autism , music 4 Comments
Tags: akhil autism foundation, auditory processing, autism, autism spectrum disorders, brain, music listening therapy, The Listening Program

If you have an interest in learning more about The Listening Program® method of music listening therapy please join me for a live webinar this Sunday organized by the Akhil Autism Foundation.

The Listening Program® (TLP) is a music listening therapy that provides engaging brain stimulation to improve performance in school, work and life. This introductory webinar is free and will provide an overview of the auditory system, auditory processing, and how music listening therapy can help improve the life of a child on the autism spectrum.

Date: Sunday, Dec. 20, 2009
Times: USA 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM EST (Eastern Standard Time)
9:00 AM – 10:00 AM MST (Mountain Standard Time)
India 9:30 PM – 10:30 PM IST (Indian Standard Time)

TO REGISTER: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/790568674

After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about the Webinar.

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
PC
Required: Windows® 2000, XP Home, XP Pro, 2003 Server, Vista

Mac
Required: Mac OS® X 10.4 (Tiger®) or newer

New Autism Study Demonstrates The Listening Program Improves Auditory Skills

Published December 2, 2009 The Listening Program , auditory system , autism , music research Leave a Comment
Tags: Advanced Brain Technologies, asd, auditory processing, autism, autism spectrum disorders, music listening therapy

A new study in the UK demonstrates The Listening Program® developed by Advanced Brain Technologies improves auditory skills in children with autism.

“A Study to Establish Whether the Use of The Listening Program is Effective in Improving Auditory Skills for Children with Autism” was presented by Gwyneth Jeyes at the Developmental Practitioners Association Conference “Children Matter” In Nottinghamshire, United Kingdom back in September.

Twelve children on the autism spectrum ranging in age from 5 yrs. 8 mo. to 12 yrs. 4 mo. in Northern Ireland participated in the study. Results from the SCAN-C test for Auditory Processing Disorders demonstrated improvements in auditory skills in all children who completed The Listening Program® method of music listening therapy.

The Listening Program® has been widely used for more than a decade to reduce auditory hypersensitivites, improve auditory discrimination, increase communication skills, and social engagement for children on the autism spectrum. The outcomes of this research are encouraging, consistent with other studies, and warrant the design of a larger, controlled study to explore the feasibility of more widespread use of this music listening therapy method to improve auditory processing skills for children with autism spectrum disorders.

To read the full study

Therapeutic Power of Music

Published April 13, 2009 The Listening Program , music , music research 2 Comments
Tags: aspergers syndrome, autism, autonomic nervous system, heart-rate variability, music therapy, music-based auditory stimulation, Paralcelsus Private Medical University, scotland on sunday, The Listening Program, therapeutic, Vera Brandes

I just ran across an article published in Scotland on Sunday titled “Doctor Beat”. The author Janet Christie highlights some of the current research findings uncovering the therapeutic power of music. Included within is a spotlight on the music research conducted by my friend and colleague Vera Brandes at the Paracelsus Private Medical University in Salzburg, Austria. Her study demonstrated clinically significant improvements in heart-rate variability after patients followed a specific music program 2 x 30 minutes a day for five weeks. Heart-rate variability is an indicator of autonomic nervous system function.

Coincidently the article also highlights the story of young Ethan, a boy diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome who benefited from listening to our very own The Listening Program® method for 2 X15 minutes a day for eighteen months at his primary school in Midlothian, Scotland. His mother, Wendy Brooks shares ”The music helped with his concentration and social skills, which is a huge thing when you’ve got Asperger’s. He used to get frustrated and upset really quickly but he became a lot calmer and it became easier to get through to him. He’s a maths whizz, so that became more focused too, because he can concentrate better. Before the program, he just wasn’t listening,” she says. “It has had a very powerful effect because he hasn’t been as difficult to deal with and his conversational skills are very good now. You’d never know how he was at three years old.”

While the article focuses on varied examples of the healing effects of music including music therapy, interestingly it concludes with a list of music that is reported to inflict pain and distress by military and law enforcement agencies. I would have never considered the theme of Sesame Street as torture, however I can see repeated exposure to the Bee Gees “Staying Alive” as being a detriment to my cognitive and emotional state.

Read Article http://scotlandonsunday.scotsman.com/spectrum/Doctor-beat.5162577.jp

Autism Awareness Month-Best Possible Life

Published April 3, 2009 The Listening Program , autism 1 Comment
Tags: asd, autism, Autism Aspergers Digest, autism awareness day, autism awareness month, autism hangout, Autism Research Institute, autism spectrum disorders, autism spot, Autism Treatment Center of America, DIR, Dr.Charles Shidlofsky, enzymedica, Floortime, music-based auditory stimulation, nacd, National Association for Child Development, S.I. Focus Magazine, sensory processing disorder, Son Rise, The Listening Program

waa_day

It’s Autism Awareness Month. This is a time the world is bringing autism spectrum disorders (ASD) to light, so they can be better understood and appreciated.

The autism community is unfortunately divided. Lines are drawn in the sand, Accept/Cure, and on. This post will not delve into the divide. I am not a parent of a child on the spectrum and have not walked in their shoes.

However, I am someone who cares deeply for families touched by autism as my family has for generations. What I think important is that we recognize each individual labeled as having an autism spectrum disorder as the unique and special person they are. For they like everyone I want nothing more than the BEST possible life they can have. And, for those that love them to appreciate they have infinite potential. We should do all that we can to understand the cause(s), develop reliable early indentification, and provide sufficient opportunities for growth, learning, and personal development.

My company is the developer of The Listening Program® method of music-based auditory stimulation. It’s used by parents, educators, and healthcare professionals with hundreds if not thousands of people diagnosed with ASD’s on a daily basis. I am vested in this discussion. We work with people across the globe challenged with how to provide the best opportunities for families touched by these disorders. Ultimately we all want the same thing, a happy, fulfilling life for those we serve. That’s where my awareness centers, today and everyday.

Here are a few links I hope you find helpful:

AutismSpot www.autismspot.com

Autism Hangout www.autismhangout.com

Autism Research Institute www.autism.com

Autism Treatment Center of America www.autismtreatmentcenter.org

Autism-Asperger’s Digest Magazine www.aspergersdigest.com

DIR®/Floortime www.icdl.com

Dr.Charles Shidlofsky www.dr-s.net

Enzymedica www.enzymedica.com

National Association for Child Development www.nacd.org

SI Focus Magazine www.sifocus.com

The Listening Program® www.thelisteningprogram.com

Autism: What the Experts Know http://tinyurl.com/dd583n (Disclaimer, while a contributor to this resource I in no way see myself as an expert on autism).

Occupational Therapy International Publishes Research on The Listening Program

Published February 20, 2009 The Listening Program , autism , music research 1 Comment
Tags: Advanced Brain Technologies, Amy J Nwora, autism, autism research, Bryan M Gee, case study, developmental disability, pediatric occupational therapy, The Listening Program

Occupational Therapy International has just published a peer-reviewed special issue paper on the effectiveness of The Listening Program®.

This purpose of this single-subject case design was to explore the efficacy of using The Listening Program® (TLP) method to improve overall sensory processing, and receptive/expressive language skills in a child diagnosed with pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS).

This research was conducted by, Amy J Nwora, Occupational Therapy Department, D’Youville College, Buffalo, NY, USA and Bryan M Gee, Department of Physical and Occupational Therapy, Idaho State University, Pocatello, ID, USA.

Quotes from Nwora and Gee*

“He demonstrated increased eye contact with his teacher/music leader, caregivers (smiling and waving) and improved interaction with peers.” (p.33)

“Results of the Sensory Profile section summary also indicate marked improvements in function from pre- to post-intervention” (p.34)

With my company, Advanced Brain Technologies being the developer of The Listening Program® I am naturally very happy with the findings of this case study. Larger scale studies need to be conducted in order to help us bring this important intervention to the countless children on the autism spectrum that can truly benefit. This paper takes us one step closer.

To view the abstract or to download the full article please visit http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/122205224/abstract

* Amy J Nwora, Bryan M Gee (2009). A case study of a five-year-old child with pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified using sound based interventions. Occupational Therapy International,16 (1). 25-43.

Research Poster: Exploring Porges’ Theory of Social Engagement

Published December 8, 2008 The Listening Program , autism Leave a Comment
Tags: Advanced Brain Technologies, autism, autism spectrum disorders, music-based auditory stimulation, sensory processing disorder, Stephen Porges, The Listening Program, The Listening Project

Exploring Porges’ Theory of Social Engagement: Using a music stimulation program for an 8 year old boy with autism

This research poster was presented November 16-19 at the Mozart & Science 2008 – 2nd International Congress for the Interdisciplinary Research on the Effects and the Experience of Music at the Palais Niedrosterreich in Vienna, Austria.

This case study compares the elements, protocols, and reported outcomes of an enhanced music stimulation program and the listening project created by Porges to test his theory of social engagement on autistic individuals who are known to have difficulties in this area.

To learn more about The Listening Program® method of music-based auditory stimulation used in this research please visit www.thelisteningprogram.com.

Autism Twitter Day

Published December 3, 2008 autism 1 Comment
Tags: asd, autism, autism awareness, autism community, autism twitter day

Autism Twitter Day – Tuesday, Dec 16th pacific standard time – 9AM, 12:30 PM and 8 PM. Prizes will be given out and a panel will be available with information and to answer questions.

This is open to twitter members, specifically those who are members of the autism community, whether it be a parent, sibling or relative. If you are on the spectrum you are welcome to take part. Most of the prizes are geared to children and young adults with autism or asperger syndrome.

The hashtag to be used for autism twitter day is #ASD. This means when you post a tweet that day which is on the topic of autism – positive autism awareness, please use the hashtag, either in front or at end of the tweet. Open up a window at www.summize.com and input #ASD to follow along with the conversation at the specified times. Most likely they will run longer than one hour. Stay tuned here and to my blog for prize and panel info. http://autismfamiily.blogspot.com

Members of our staff and community of Advanced Brain Technologies will be participating in this event and contributing to the panel, including myself. I really encourage twitter members to get involved and raise positive autism awareness.

Learn More http://autismfamily.tumblr.com/

Scans Show Sound-Processing Deficits in Autistic Kids

Published December 2, 2008 The Listening Program , autism , brain research 1 Comment
Tags: autism, autism spectrum disorders, autistic, MEG, The Listening Program, washington post

MONDAY, Dec. 1 (HealthDay News) — Children with autism spectrum disorder process sounds a fraction of a second slower than other children, an abnormality that offers insight into listening and language issues linked to the condition, a new study says.

Researchers used magnetoencephalography (MEG), which records minute magnetic fields associated with electrical brain activity, to detect the slight delay in autistic children who were exposed to beeps, tones in pairs, vowels and sentences at different speeds, tones and frequencies.

I have yet to review the reseach paper but on the surface this study lends additional support to the use of our The Listening Program® method www.thelisteningprogram.com as a program that can benefit kids on the autism spectrum.

Read the full article http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/12/01/AR2008120100927.html

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