The Listening Program

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.