|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
AUTISM FIRST STEPS
AUTISM DAILY NEWSLETTER
Wednesday December 12, 2001
Special Edition
INDEX:
* THE EFFICACY OF
AUDITORY INTEGRATION TRAINING
******************************
THE EFFICACY OF AUDITORY INTEGRATION TRAINING
(AIT)
Auditory Integration Training was developed by French otolaryngologist Guy
Berard in the 1950’s. Dr. Berard studied the work of Alfred Tomatis and
refined the technique to what it is today: listening to 20 half-hour sessions
of specially modulated music over a 10-20 day period. Auditory Integration
Training has been reported to be beneficial in several conditions, including
AD/HD, autism, central auditory processing disorders (CAPD), and hypersensitive
hearing at certain frequencies. Stephen Edelson, Ph.D. and Bernard Rimland,
Ph.D. have compiled a review of 28 reports on Auditory Integration Training.
Their summaries of the reports, which appeared in peer-reviewed journals,
professional newsletters, and/or were presented at professional conferences,
can be examined at www.autism.com/ari or by contacting the Autism Research
Institute, 4182 Adams Avenue, San Diego, CA. 92116 Of the 28 studies that
evaluated physiological, behavioral, and cognitive changes in the subjects, the
authors of twenty three (82%) studies concluded that their data supported the
efficacy of AIT, three (11%) claimed to have found no evidence of
efficacy, and 2 (7%) report ambiguous, contradictory results. Two of the
studies evaluated the physiological effects of AIT on animals. Twenty-six of
the studies utilized subjects with autism, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder,
central auditory processing disorder, and/or mental retardation. It is of
interest that all seven studies that sought evidence of physiological change as
a result of Auditory Integration Training reported positive findings
(electrophysiological, --PET scan changes, Magnetoencephalography changes, EEG
changes, Audiometric/Uncomfortable loudness threshold changes, and,
biochemical---neurochemical changes, reduction in serotonin and 5-HIAA levels,
increase in norepinephrine and it’s principle metabolite, MHPG, and increases
in brain dopamine and its metabolite HVA). Dr.’s Edelson and Rimland state:
A good deal of what has been written about Auditory Integration Training is
excessively skeptical, negative or derogatory permeated with the
assumption that AIT is ineffective. Our review of all the research on the
efficacy of AIT that we have been able to find refutes this negative view.
Probably because Auditory Integration Training lacks a plausible rationale and
is counter-intuitive, it has become the target of skepticism and of negatively
biased research. One’s opinion about an intervention, like one’s opinion about
an individual, should be based on evidence rather than prejudice. (We
were ourselves) skeptical when first learning about Auditory Integration
Training. Our interest was stimulated, despite initial skepticism, by a number
of almost-too-good-to-be-true clinical reports from parents of autistic
children who had been treated at Dr. Guy Berard’s clinic in Annecy, France.
There is a place for skepticism, but there is also a place for safe,
non-intrusive, short-term and relatively inexpensive therapies with reasonably
good track records. In conclusion, the review of the literature from January
1993 to May 2001 has produced 23 studies with positive results and only 3
claiming no benefits from Auditory Integration Training. Auditory Integration
Training does, in fact, appear to be a worthwhile, frequently beneficial
intervention, which shows improvement in a number of symptoms, in a significant
proportion of disorders on the autism spectrum, in addition to Attention
Deficit Disorders, AD/HD, CAPD and a variety of learning disabilities. To learn
more about Auditory Integration Training, you can go to the following web
sites, which will provide a review of all 28 studies, links to many other
helpful web sites, and other valuable information about the professionals who
are trained to provide AIT throughout the United States:
www.autism.com/ari
www.sait.org
www.georgianainstitute.org
or contact:
Terrie Silverman, M.S. at
terries@execpc.com or 262-569-7828
******************************
Autism Awakening, Autism FIrst Steps Newsletter, or any staff do
not endorse any individuals, groups or programs. References regarding programs,
meetings, resources, research, opinions, treatment, etc., should not be
interpreted as an indication of endorsement. They are provided for
informational purposes only. This is an attempt to keep the nation advised to
all diagnostic, treatment, therapy, educational,
options available as well as legislative autism updates and more.
To View Newsletter Policies they are located at the Newsletter Website:
Direct Link:: Autism
First Steps Newsletter
http://autismawakeninginia.bizland.com/autismfirststepsnewsletter/
To have
friends, Family, or professionals join:
1. they can go to the above link
2. They can go to the Newsletter Group page located at:
Direct Link::
Yahoo!
Groups : AutismFirstStepsAutismNewsletter
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AutismFirstStepsAutismNewsletter
3 Send a e-mail to AutismAwakening@aol.com and ask to be subscribed to
the free online daily newsletter
Visit one of the largest
websites Commited to bringing you the latest in news, options, and techniques,
and more on Autism located at:
Direct Link:: Autism Awakening 4 Kids
www.AutismAwakening.com
To Submit a
story, alert, readers post, or advertisement please e-mail AutismAwakening@aol.com
To be removed reply to this e-mail and requested to be removed from the list.
To
unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
AutismFirstStepsAutismNewsletter-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
Your use of
Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo!
Terms of Service.
ALL
INFORMATION, DATA, AND MATERIAL CONTAINED, PRESENTED, OR PROVIDED HERE IS FOR
GENERAL INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED AS REFLECTING THE
KNOWLEDGE OR OPINIONS OF THE PUBLISHER, AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED OR INTENDED
AS PROVIDING MEDICAL OR LEGAL ADVICE. THE DECISION WHETHER OR NOT TO
VACCINATE IS AN IMPORTANT AND COMPLEX ISSUE AND SHOULD BE MADE BY YOU, AND YOU
ALONE, IN CONSULTATION WITH YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER.