Hi
I’m new to posting altho I’ve monitored discussion groups for awhile trying to get lots of info. I’ve a 6 yr old boy (turned Oct) who has started kindergarten this fall. No formal diagnosis but speech therapy since 3 has determined he has auditory processing-both expressive and receptive language issues. Difficulty on word retrieval and abstract concepts. He is delayed around 6 months and has fine motor problems and general muscle tone (and clumsy). IQ testing in spring indicated below average IQ (slightly) and they felt may be due to language issues. Also very low phonological awareness.
He has no IEP for kindergarten (school will consider for grade 1). Are reviewing for speech services but I expect that minimal will be delivered. He is happy, wants to be social (sometimes languages interferes) but no behaviour issues (so far!). My question is what home programs would be best for him - I am so afraid of nothing happening in the school and then Wham - grade 1 and everything falling apart. I am meeting with my Ped. next week. I’ve had someone tell me Tomatis programs are good for APD - is this for real? Based on this board, I’ve looked at Audiblox, Eararobics (or the canadian version called Essential skills), and Balamatrixs? Any comments would be appreciated! Victoria kindly sent me her reading notes so I am working at home on the alphabet and sounds.
Re: Need strategies for 6 yr old boy
I would consider TLP (The Listening Program, http://www.advancedbrain.com ) since it provides overall conditioning of the auditory system, is relatively inexpensive (about $450 through an online provider), can be done at home, is gentle, and can be done repeatedly. The basic program requires 15 minutes of listening 5 days per week.
Balametrics would be a good idea, as it would work on vestibular development — rhythm, balance, timing — which often lags when there are auditory processing problems. Gymnastics is a very good sport for this also because of all the bodywork, balancing, etc.
Tomatis, AIT-Berard, Samonas and some others are all sound therapies designed to work on auditory processing, but these are all provider-based programs, not home programs.
Earobics could be helpful. I would also recommend getting the Sound Reading computer CD (http://www.soundreading.com ), as it does a really good job of developing phonemic awareness skills.
You also might want to start Audiblox (http://www.audiblox2000.com ).
There are specific programs that help with language development too, but I am not familiar with them. You might want to Google on something like “language development” “home program” and see what you turn up.
Nancy
Thanks for the kind words. Please do keep me posted on progress and any problems that need to be addressed.