Has anyone used NACD?

I have a good friend with an autistic child and an ADHD child, she has used NACD and it has totally changed her children’s lives! Just from what she has taught me, I am working with my own ADHD kids and husband and seeing results, and I just mess around with a few exercises, didn’t get evaluated or anything. I highly recommend it, esp. because they empower the parents to do all sorts of theraputic things in the home rather than taking them in to a therapist once a week. You actually are taught how to remediate, very homeschool friendly, and you know how sometimes kids won’t cooperate when you take them for an official appt., but if you learn the techniques, with plenty of follow up guidance, you can do it with them when they are cooperative.

What does “NACD” stand for and do you know where I could get more information? I’m struggling with the decision of what to do next for 7 yo ADD/possibly CAPD son.

Thanks,
Jess

Hi,
NACD stands for National Association for Child Development. Their webpage is nacd.org. I have heard glowing reports on them on other forum boards.
Sue

I also have seen many very positive reports about NACD. However, I would be extremely cautious about doing sound therapy with them (Samonas). If they advise sound therapy, I would consult a CAPD audiologist first. Sound therapy can be very beneficial, but one child developed a stutter after it was done according to NACD recommendations (a non-standard approach, I believe, trying to switch ear dominance). Everything else I have seen about NACD has been very positive.

Mary

What about the listening program is that safe?

The Listening Program is the mildest of all the sound therapies and designed to be used safely at home. I wouldn’t have any qualms about using it.

Mary

I understand the basics of the Listening Program. I don’t know how it is purchased, though. Does a person need to go through a provider or can it be purchased directly? Is it individually tailored for each child or is a standard program? I’d be interested in hearing from anyone who has used it, why and results achieved. Thanks for any information.

You have to purchase it from a licensed provider. However, there is at least one place on the net that offers a good discounted price and provides the instructional support via telephone. (I don’t have that website handy.)

I bought TLP from a friend who got trained in it, as she wanted to use it for her daughter. I think the company makes a big deal of distributing it through licensed providers to ensure that the program is used properly by those who buy it. The instructions that come with TLP are very clear and very easy to follow, so there is no need for a provider in terms of being able to use it once you get it. The provider is supposed to make sure that the earphones are of sufficient quality (otherwise the program is of no use) and that the user is instructed to follow the directions. Not following the directions (which call for listening to the CD’s for 15 minutes twice a day, following a specific sequence of tracks for each session) could cause negative side effects. For example, listening to the tracks out-of-sequence or for an hour at a time could cause adverse reactions, especially in sensitive children. Also, certain activities (such as reading while listening) should be avoided, while other activities (such as drawing pictures) is acceptable.

The program is not individually tailored, although the provider sometimes will adjust the sequence of tracks or alter the schedule (twice a day goes faster, but it can be done once a day over a longer period of time). The company has some other CD’s also, and sometimes it is suggested to do one of them first (e.g., the one that promotes sensory integration). Unless your child has really severe problems, adjustments to the standard protocol probably aren’t necessary.

To tell the truth, I couldn’t get organized enough to use it, especially since my dd’s primary issues are vision and phonological processing. I have, however, heard good things about the effects of TLP. Aside from parents, I have also heard that European musicians (especially older ones) use it to enhance hearing. We just have trouble around here doing anything consistently day after day — even 15 minutes of quiet listening. While waiting for a better time to do it, I forgot all about it and we did other things. Maybe this summer…..

Mary

Thanks, Mary. As always, you have so much info. I appreciate your help. I think I saw the website in my search for a provider. Take care.