The Listening Program

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Hi all-

Decided to start a new thread since the verbal stimming one was getting so long!

Anyway, I am thinking about doing "The Listening Program" with my son. It is supposed to help with auditory processing difficulties, which may be at the root of what is causing his verbal stimming. Has anyone heard of this or had any success with this. Or is it just another scam???

I can't believe no one has responded to this post. I LOVE listening programs!! ! My son with autism did AIT the first time when he was 3 and STOPPED covering his ears from the first session on! Then I had my daughter whose diagnosis is Sensory Processing go through it as well and she had quite good results at making her hearing less sensitive.

I took a training class on a program called Integrated Listening Systems and I got a home iPod unit. I will never be without my iPod for my family for the rest of our lives. It has what is called bone conduction in the headphones which helps with the sensory by what I call "feeding the need" it is a little vibration. It has different protocols for what you are working on. You conference with a specialist who teaches you how to use the program.

The difference between AIT (Auditory Integration Training) and Integrated Listening (ILS) is that AIT is done 10 days straight 2 times a day and ILS has it where you can listen as little as 2 sessions a week (at home) and do it at a slow and steady pace. The theory is you can make a flower grow by pulling on it so by doing it slow you get better results.

I found my son and I kept improving the more and more protocals we did. Then we also pick it up at different times to get a touch up. Like if I am feeling really tired or if he seems to be a little more hyper. I often play the music through speakers in the background while I work to keep me on task.

Ipod is better than CD and make sure you have bone conduction in head phones.

Thanks so much LIla--When I read through the program, it just seemed to make so much sense to me and could possibly address some of the issues my son is having. He is 5, and his language is progressing very nicely, but we are having trouble with him paying attention in class, and he is making noises in class and at home. It is interfering with his learning at school. He has just recently started covering his ears for certain noises, but some noises that I think would bother him, don't. For instance he is not bothered by fireworks or sirens. He gets very distracted in class by outside noises.

I think I am definitely going to give it a try. If it doesn't work, I don't think it will cause any harm, and from what you have shared, it could be helpful.

We have been talking with our OT about starting the Listening Program. I was going to make the same post you did angelbear but so often such questions are met with over the top (in my opinion) criticisms of programs like this. Our OT just became certified to teach the Listening Program because he beleives in it so much and he has recommended it for our son. Our OT has been a HUGE help to us and I really respect his opinion so I am confident that this program is not just another scam. I also asked the neuropsychologist that we see about it and he was positive. He pointed out that there haven't been any studies that PROVE it works but he said that some of his patients have used the program and he thinks it helps. Angelbear, maybe we can compare notes after I get my son started on it too!

Hi Bombaloo-

I had asked my son's special needs pre-k teacher last year about it, and she said that many of the parents that she has worked with over the years swear by it. The only reason I have hesitated is because of the price. I don't think it is overpriced, it is just we are on a tight budget since I don't work. But, I am seriously considering just going for it. Right now we are not working with a private OT, my son gets all of his services through the public school. So, I am just going to contact the Listening Program directly. I think they do give consulting advice.

Yes, I hope it works for your son! Keep me posted!