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Sound and Autism

By Sharon Carne

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Published: 21Mar2010
Word count: 571
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Whenever I experience something happening three times or more, I pay attention. In conversations recently at a Wellness Expo, where we were exhibitors, three different people asked if I knew of any programs, music or sound that would be helpful with children (or adults) with autism or autism spectrum disorder. It is unusual to get such a request repeated in such a short space of time. I thought it might be helpful to pass along some information.

The description of this condition from the Autism Society of Canada is rather sobering. Their website states, "Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders have varying degrees of difficulty in social interaction and communication and may show repetitive behaviours and have unusual objects or routines. Autism is the most common neurological disorder affecting children and one of the most common developmental disabilities affecting Canadians in general. ASDs change the way the brain processes information and can affect all aspects of a person's development ... Each individual is unique - no one person with an ASD responds or behaves exactly like another with the same diagnosis."

Many young children with Autism Spectrum Disorder experience a disconnection between the ear and voice. Some children are not able to speak or distinguish well between important sounds like Mom calling and the background noise of a fan, for example. Because of this, they can experience hypersensitivity to sounds.

Functions of the ear also include balance and movement. That is, the sense of where your body is, for example, how high you have to lift your arm to open a cupboard in the kitchen.

Dr. Alfred Tomatis, an ear, nose, and throat physician and inventor who lived from 1920 to 2001, made significant discoveries about the ear, listening, auditory processing and more. Dr. Tomatis found certain sounds affected functions of the body and mind. For example, certain low sounds can affect balance, coordination, sense of direction and more. Some higher sounds can affect energy, creativity, intuition and more.

Dr Tomatis and Paul Madaule founded The Listening Centre in Toronto in 1978. Paul Madaule has had over 20 years experience working with providing listening training to help autistic children. He reports that the majority of the children improve their communication skills and vocabulary. He also states, "One half to two thirds of them acquire various degrees of spontaneous, communicative and conversational speech. All of them respond better to traditional interventions and are more prepared to benefit from the educational system, and all make significant steps toward self-sufficiency and independent living."

Another program that serves clients with these conditions is "The Learning Program" created by Advanced Brain Technologies. They have had considerable clinical success with children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Alexander Doman is the founder, president and CEO of the company.

He inspired the creation of The Learning Program with his years of personal research in the field in addition to clinical experience and results. He is the third generation of a family of pioneering neurodevelopmental specialists. "Advanced Brain Technologies is a neurotechnology company that develops and distributes interactive software and music-based programs for the improvement of memory, attention, listening, academic skills, sensory processing, brain health, peak performance and more." (from www.advancedbrain.com)

The more I explore the research on music and sound, the more I realize the incredible fundamental effect it has on us at all levels of our existence. Humanity has never been without music and there are deeper reasons for this than just entertainment.

Sharon Carne has transformed a successful 30-year career of teaching and performing the classical guitar to teaching about how sound heals. She speaks for conferences, corporate retreats and interested groups on the power of music and sound to reduce stress, create deeper meditations, ease emotional release, create focus and concentration and ease the symptoms of illness and disease. http://www.soundwellness.com

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