Together with Tommy's OT, we started him on a therapy called The Listening Program this week. I have had a lot of questions from others regarding it so I figured I would do what I could to explain it. Let me start off by saying I don't understand everything about how it works so this is just an overview. If you want to read more, here is their website
http://www.thelisteningprogram.com/Basically, it is a set of CD's for Tommy to listen to. The music is classical and produced in a special way to create an HD effect ( as opposed to normal CD's). A good example is the difference between a regular TV and an HDTV. He uses special headphones to enhance the sound. The music is designed to "
stimulate, or “exercise” the different functions of the auditory processing system. This enables the brain to better receive, process, store and utilize the valuable information provided through the varied soundscapes in our lives such as music, language and the environment in which we live".
It is made and recommended for children 2 and up to adults.
The program is broken down into four sections. The first introduces him to a full spectrum of sounds, the second works on sensory integration, the third on speech and communication and the last on the high spectrum of sounds. We are doing it in two 10-week blocks, with two 15-minute sessions a day. It is quite a commitment for Tommy and us but if it helps, we'll put in the work!
He has been training with his therapist for the past month (listening to Raffi and Backyardigans and then switching to classical music) just to get him used to the headphones. We officially started yesterday and he is doing wonderful (as I knew he would). He doesn't always want to do it but once he gets started, he leaves the headphones on for the full 15 minutes as long as we keep him occupied with puzzles, play-doh, and the like.
First, I apologize for the number of pictures and video. We took so many and it was difficult to narrow it down. The Solberg airport in Readington holds a Summer Solstice and we went with our neighbors, Denise and Everett. Tommy had a blast! Small planes took off all afternoon, hot air balloons launched, North Star landed, Smokey the Bear was there and he had cotton candy for the first time. It was perfect for him because the venue was nice and small and the noise level was tolerable; it wasn't overwhelming for him at all. Kate and Chris and Steve and Gio met up with us later on to watch the balloons go up. Jack was a trooper and actually sat in the stroller for about 2 hours. In the videos, you will see Tommy rolling his hands a lot. This is the sign for "go" and I think Tommy did it all afternoon. Overall, it was a fun filled day!!
