Berard Auditory Integration Training

• What is Berard Auditory Integration Training?
• Who are candidates for Berard Auditory Integration Training?
• How is the Berard Auditory Integration Training done?
• What changes are observed after Berard Auditory Integration Training?
• What is the typical rate for success for Berard Auditory Integration Training?
  
  
• Family Achivement Center Research Study
• Parent Testimonial
  

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1. What is Berard Auditory Integration Training?
   Berard Auditory Integration Training (AIT) is an intervention developed by Dr. Guy Berard who believes it can correct or improve auditory hypersensitivity, distortions, and delays in the signals that interfere with an individual's ability to process auditory information normally. Inconsistencies and distortions in the way sounds are perceived can make it difficult to interpret auditory stimuli. In addition, Dr. Berard states that the ears must work together in a coordinated fashion. If the hearing in one ear is different from the other, the person may have auditory processing problems. This lack of coordination between the ears contributes to difficulties in following directions, comprehending what is said or read, and putting thoughts into words. Dr. Berard also states that some people hear certain frequencies much better than other frequencies. When this occurs, the person perceives sounds in a distorted manner, may be easily distracted, and may have difficulty understanding auditory information. According to Dr. Berard, these auditory problems are factors that contribute to disorders such as learning disabilities, attention deficit, dyslexia, hyperactivity, central auditory processing disorder, autism and pervasive developmental disorder.
   
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2. Who are Candidates for Berard Auditory Integration Training?
   Individuals with deficits in: speech, language, attention, focus, handwriting, reading, spelling, balance, auditory processing, sensory integration, motor skills, self confidence, socialization, individuals with limited diets, and hearing sensitivity are appropriate. The minimum age is 3 years, and there is no upper limit! Teenagers and adults have demonstrated significant changes as well.
   
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3. How is Berard Auditory Integration Training done?
   The individual listens to music through headphones that is specially modified by the Earducator, the Berard device designed for AIT for 10 consecutive days with weekends off. The Earducator modulates the music, and may be used to filter out specific frequencies. The music is selected from CDs that meet specific guidelines and not all tracks are used. The training is provided for 30 minutes, twice a day for a total of 10 hours. The Berard audio tests are needed prior to training and after the first 5 hours of training to indicate whether any specific filters may be used. An additional, Berard audio test is also needed 1-2 months after the completion of AIT.
   
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4. What changes are observed after Berard Auditory Integration Training?
   Reports from parents vary on how soon changes are noticed. At the IDEA Training Center in New Haven, CT (the clinic that is providing training for Family Achievement Center staff), 73% of the parents observed positive changes during the actual training program. Some parents do not notice changes until a week, month or several months later. In some cases, progress may be subtle in the beginning, and then become increasingly apparent as time goes by.
   

5. Parents often report a reduction in tantrums, sound sensitivity, echolalia, hyperactivity and impulsivity. Parents also observe increased ability in following directions, attention, auditory processing, short-term memory, and speech/language skills. Increased socialization, cooperation, self-confidence and independence are also frequently observed.
   
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6. What is the typical rate for success for Berard Auditory Integration Training?
   A summary of reports and research on AIT can be found at the Autism Research Institute. These reports are predominantly supportive of AIT helping children and adults with autistic spectrum disorders, attention deficit, and central auditory processing disorders.

7. Twenty-three reports concluded that AIT benefits various population subgroups, three studies claim to show no benefit (or no benefit over that seen in a control group), and two studies reported rather ambiguous or contradictory results. Considering the great difficulties in both providing a credible placebo treatment and assessing improvement in the subject populations, these results are quite encouraging. The balance of the evidence clearly favors AIT as a useful intervention, especially in autism.
   
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Family Achievement Center Research Study

In the spring of 2006, Family Achievement Center’s first formal research study was completed by occupational therapist Megan Crowston about parents’ perceptions of the outcomes of Auditory Integration Training. The study used parents whose children completed AIT at the Family Achievement Center. Parents were asked to rank changes after AIT in the areas of language improvements, increased independence, peer interaction, sleep, handwriting, sound sensitivity, motor skills/balance, initiation, response time to questions, eating habits/diet, reading, spelling, bowel habits, and self confidence.

Parents reported moderate positive changes in:

• Language improvements

• Increased independence

• Peer interaction improvements

• Sound sensitivity

• Motor skills/balance

• Initiation

• Response time to questions and

• Self-confidence

In addition, 79% of parents surveyed reported a decrease in their child’s sound sensitivity.

Additional research projects have been initiated to collect more specific information about the changes that occur after AIT using several methods of data collection.

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Parent Testimonial

(***Names have been omitted for confidentiality)

“He made his first real friend! He constantly says, “Mommy come see ___!” or “Look at this!” to share in something of interest to him. My favorite is “Play with me, Mommy!” Last summer he lasted 15 minutes in a peer social group before withdrawing completely. Now, he lasts 3-5 hours with a short break (10 minutes) away from the group.”

“He used to be an extreme sensory seeker. We had to provide input throughout the day for up to three hours a day. Now he is very balanced in that area and is what I would consider “typically active” for his age group.”

“He used to wear me out trying to moderate his grabbing at things. He is no longer impulsive.”

Please call the Family Achievement Center at 651-738-9888 for more information and ask to speak to a Berard Certified Auditory Integration Training Practitioner.