Expert: Celtica - 2/5/2008

Question
Hi Celtica.  

I would like to get your opinion regarding the Berard based Auditory Integration Training particularly termed as Digital Auditory Aerobics.  I have decided to get on to this boat since my child clearly shows sensitivities to sound (covering ears with particular sounds like dog barks, flushing toilets, electrified insects, and more).  I am wondering if I am doing the right thing.

Secondly, I noticed that my child has this habit to barter.  He shows intelligence but sometimes his bartering becomes a bit annoying.  He would never follow a rule 100%.  He would always set his conditions against mine.  For example, I would ask him to sit down on the blue chair but he would counter this with "ok but can i sit down on the 3rd chair?".  That is what I mean by saying "bartering".  My son's current diagnosis is PDD-NOS.

I hope I can get an answer from you regarding these 2 issues.

Waiting Patiently,

Mike

Answer
Hi Mike,

both questions are difficult to answer. I'm not sure what to think about Digital Auditory Aerobics. It's not so widely known here in Europe (over here, the most widely used type of AIT is Tomatis which Berard critisizes alot). He may be right in that, but still, TOMATIS is used more often around here. Here is his Guy Berard's website if you want to read more about his theories: http://www.drguyberard.com/

Anyway, both methods are are very expensive. As I don't have much personal experience with AIT, I cannot say if it's worth trying.
The closest experience I have to AIT is some CD from a company selling music with some artificially altered frequencies which are said to help with relaxation/concentration/attention and other things. I found them pleasant to listen to (and probably even calming), but I can't say they had any profound (and lasting) effect on me. Of course, that's not the same like those AIT programms mentioned above.

You could probably talk to your child's doctor or therapist or an OT to hear what they think (if they know of other kids who had this therapy and if they think it has helped them), preferrably to a person who has alot of experience in the field but doesn't offer this sort of therapy  to get an impartial but substantiated oppinion.  

So far, what has helped me best against sensitivities to sound are good quality ear-plugs (you can find them in stores selling music equipment, they may be around $20, but they are reusable). An autistic friend of mine even has a pair of custom fitted ear-plugs and is happy with them.

About the bartering - it may be just a phase your child is going through. It's not really a typical thing for an autistic child to do
(I can't remember that I did something like that, at least), so my best guess is that he's at an age where he tries to test your boundaries or something. I don't know enough about educating a child to be able to give you advice on that question (whether you should make him stop or better let him have his will).

I'm sorry again for not writing sooner and that I cannot really help you with either question.

You can always ask more questions,
C.