I know a lot of families with autism have been put through the ringer during COVID; and I know how easy it can be to lose hope. I wanted this month’s series to inspire ideas to try to help our kiddos. Maybe you need a new idea, or a reminder of something you’ve previously tried and meant to revisit or had on your “possible” list. I want to stick to things that are fairly simple, non-invasive, and don’t cost a fortune. For example, HBOT works great for lots of families but 5k+ is a lot for a “maybe.” So, this list will mostly be “Why not? Couldn’t hurt” ideas. Just a reminder – I’m not a doctor, and nothing here should be taken as medical advice. Please see my full disclaimer here, and consult with a medical professional before starting any treatment. And, PLEASE share in the comments any personal wins you’ve had to help inspire others!
The way we process the information that we hear is critical to cognitive development and social communication. Auditory Processing Disorder is when there is an issue with the ability to accurately process and interpret auditory input. An individual with Auditory Processing Order can hear, but has difficulty perceiving what is heard, especially complex auditory information.
Auditory Processing Disorder In Autism
There is substantial evidence of atypical sound process in individuals with autism. This can present in many different ways. For example, they may not perceive the meaning of the words they hear. Words might be missed. There may be an atypical perception of pitch or volume. Or, they might not be able to distinguish background noise. Any of these issues may be interpreted as an unwillingness to comply.
One of the first signs of autism in babies is that they aren’t (or stop) responding to their names. When my son Christopher first regressed and stopped responding to his name, we were told that it was either hearing loss, brain damage, or autism. It’s a really weird thing to pray for your child to be deaf. He didn’t have any hearing loss, but he did have auditory processing issues. And, he did benefit from sound therapy.
Sound Therapy For Autism
There are many different types of sound therapy for autism. While they can be expensive, most research-based sound therapies – or auditory therapies – are done by licensed or certified therapists. Therefore, many are covered by insurance as a codable treatment, making sound therapy an affordable intervention. Listed below are a few examples of the more well-known sound therapies. These are the ones that I’ve personally used with my son Christopher.
Music Therapy
Pythagoras was an early pioneer of the benefits of sound therapy and the healing power of music. He was the first person to prescribe music as medicine. Music supports cognitive activity because it stimulates both hemispheres of the brain. It has been used to help with a variety of conditions, including autism. Children with autism who participated in music therapy experience numerous benefits. These include improvements in social interaction, anxiety levels, emotional regulation, communication skills, and sensory processing.
Tomatis
Many individuals with autism exhibit extreme sound sensitivity and even experience pain from certain high frequencies. dr. Alfred Tomatis studied the relationship between hearing and phonation and between listening and communication. He developed a sound system called the Electronic Ear, which improved the efficiency of how sound is transmitted and analyzed by the brain. Over time this evolved into the Tomatis method of sound therapy used worldwide today.
Tomatis uses fluctuating sounds to gradually tone the ear muscles. Early auditory experiences are recreated to allow children to once again hear, and tolerate, high frequencies. This increases their ability to process and integrate sensory information. This often results in an increase in responsiveness – initiating interaction, improved eye contact, and increased attention. Parents have also seen a greater interest in communication and emotional contact. Other reported benefits of Tomatis sound therapy for autism include increased vocalizations, improvements in balance and coordination, and decreased problem behaviors. When we did this therapy, we did not gain the functional speech we hoped for, but saw lots of improvements in eye contact, affection, and receptive language.
Interactive Metronome
Interactive Metronome (IM) is a computer-based program that addresses timing, coordination, regulation, and attention issues in a wide variety of physical and cognitive conditions, including autism. A range of whole body exercises is synched to a precise beat and visual and auditory feedback is provided. Research has shown IM to have profound effects on functional connectivity in the brain.
IM has been used to improve a wide range of executive functions, motor planning and sequencing, and all areas of speech and language. And, most kids enjoy it because it is “played” like a video game. My own child seemed to enjoy it, made really good progress with it, and was very tired after each session (which is a good thing for us).
The Power Of Sound
These are just a few of the many types of sound therapy that can be helpful for autism (there are some more examples and resources listed here as well). How we process what we hear affects so many aspects of our lives, thinking, and behavior. Sound therapy might be a good addition to your holistic approach to your child’s autism.
“Each celestial body, in fact each and every atom, produces a particular sound on account of its movement, its rhythm or vibration. All these sounds and vibrations form a universal harmony in which each element, while having it’s own function and character, contributes to the whole.” ~ Pythagoras
My autism journey has changed the way I live and care for my family. I am passionate about nontoxic products, natural remedies, grain-free nutrition, essential oils, and healing the symptoms known as autism. This is a space for anyone aspiring toward cleaner, healthier living.
XO Joanna
