Introduction
Auditory Integration Training (AIT) by creator, Dr. Guy Berard, is a 10-day non-invasive program that helps with the way the brain processes auditory information. AIT uses different sound frequencies that are combined with relaxing music to help your child's brain make new connections with the way their brain interprets the sounds they hear. AIT has been successful working with children on the Autism Spectrum who have a difficult time with speech language development and sensory issues. AIT can be used at home by having your child listen twice a day for 30 minutes each with the provided headphones. Dr. Guy Berard recommends that your child be 3 years old before trying AIT.
Participants listen to specially modulated music through an instrument called an Earducator™ during the training sessions. The process is non-intrusive and rarely are there instances where participants become uncomfortable. It is a very relaxed environment. This information was provided by the IDEA Training Center web site.
Dr. Alfred Tomatis is the creator of another modulated listening program called Sound Stimulation. This program is only Mozart music and Gregorian Chant with an added feature of the mother's voice in utero. The younger children will be able to enjoy sensory activities while listening to music while the older ones will practice reading and other focusing materials to improve auditory processing. The Tomatis initial training is one 2-week training with a short interim period and another 2-week training. Home equipment called the lift is available after the initial training. Further information can be found at the main center in Toronto.
Related Sites
The Listening Centre Description: The Listening Centre helps develop and improve communication skills using the Tomatis method.
Beard AIT Web Site Description: This is the official website for Auditory Integration Training. This website with give you the information you need to find qualified professionals trained in the Berard Method in addition to podcasts, articles, and current studies about AIT.
Books
Tools
Parent Forums/Blogs
Some forums require you to sign in to Yahoo or Facebook to locate forum names.
Forum/Blog Name: Auditory Integration Training Description: Auditory Integration Training remediates impairments in auditory discrimination (sound sensitivity and auditory distortion) associated with autism, learning disabilities, and related disorders.
Consumer Corner
Community Library
Controversial Auditory Therapy May Be Beneficial for Kids with Autism Description: The goal of AIT in individuals with autism is to improve auditory distortions, delays or sensitivities. The theory is if processing functions better, an individual will be able to sustain increased attention, which in turn allows greater opportunity for awareness, comprehension and engagement.
Efficacy of Auditory Integration Training Description: The present review covers 28 reports on AIT. Twenty-three reports concluded that AIT benefits various population subgroups, three studies claim to show no benefit (or no benefit over that seen in a control group), and two studies reported rather ambiguous or contradictory results. Considering the great difficulties in both providing a credible placebo treatment and assessing improvement in the subject populations, these results are quite encouraging. The balance of the evidence clearly favors AIT as a useful intervention, especially in autism.