 |
it's the only thing that lasts
|
|
|
| ..changes include an
increase in focus and sense of purpose. Improved eye contact is an
almost universal plus. On a social level, many parents report that
their children become more affectionate, seeking out their parents more
often, and joining in more family activities. NEW: videos Valerie Dejean speaks to
parents on "The Self" |
|
|
|
|
What
Happens When We treat your child?
Communication is also greatly
improved. Children begin to imitate more
readily, both gestures and sounds. A child who was non-verbal begins to
babble and make new vocalizations that rapidly become recognizable
words. Parents notice that their child responds more readily to his/her
own name. A child who is already verbal begins to verbalize more, using
increasingly more complex phrases. He or she will repeat words more
readily, plus start to use words spontaneously. Children also
demonstrate an increase in understanding by following directions more
readily. Communication becomes more purposeful as well as more
interactive. For many families, communicating becomes a "two-way
street" for the first time.
One of the most significant changes that we see repeatedly is the
emergence of symbolic skills. Children start to play for the first
time. They no longer line up the cars or spin the wheels but rather now
they pretend to make the car go to the super market or the car wash.
They have imaginary scenarios that they can act out.
Parents describe
their children's responses to Spectrum Center's Tomatis Method programs as
an "opening up to the world." Not only do
the children's ears open, but also their eyes and the rest of their
senses.
|
As
expressive and receptive language improves, other behavioral
changes are observed. Children's behavior becomes increasingly
purposeful. One of the most significant changes that we see repeatedly
is the emergence of symbolic skills. A child who never played with a
toy before is able to "pretend" or play symbolically-making the toy car
drive to the store. They have imaginary scenarios that they can act
out. You can't teach a child to play, it is part of an underlying
cognitive architecture that develops around 18 months of age and is
based on our capacity to be symbolic. This is the glass ceiling that so
many children with Autism seem unable to reach above. Something about
the Tomatis method enables them to cross this hurdle. And it is our
capacity to be symbolic that allows us to use novel language verses
learned phrases.
As children respond to the program, they seem better able to understand
how things relate to each other, and begin to learn more readily by
imitation and verbal direction. Often there is a change in emotional
affect. A child who was "in his or her own world" is more willing to
join our world. Children start to develop words that give them more
control over their environment, which helps to ease their tremendous
sense of frustration. In understanding more of what is being said to
them, the children can be reasoned with, and tend to become more
flexible and better able to handle transitions. As a child starts to
develop a sense of mastery over his or her body, he or she starts to
feel more confident and self-esteem improves. With more internal
control, children develop a greater sense of autonomy and independence.
Overall, they are happier.
|
|
.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
