Services
Tomatis Training
According to Timothy M. Gilmore, Ph.D, "over the last 40 years, Dr. Alfred A Tomatis, a French physician and specialist in Otolaryngology, has been developing a method of auditory stimulation which assists and accelerates the development of listening skills, language, and communication. Tomatis coined the term "audio-psycho-phonology (A.P.P.) to describe his innovative and multi-disciplinary approach. He has developed a comprehensive theory to explain the results obtained with his method.
Tomatis's definition of listening is comprehensive with great importance accorded to the motivation to use one's hearing to communicate as well as to the neuro-physiolocial functions involved in the process of "focusing on" sounds signal. Tomatis describes in his writing the energizing effect of musical and vocal sounds rich in high frequency. He also explains the beneficial effect of sound stimulation on laterality, motor functions, balance, coordination and body image by describing the interrelationships between the vestibular system of the inner ear, the nervous system and various body functions."
Tomatis training is applied to a variety of different diagnosis including children with sensory integration dysfunction, learning disabilities, and widely applied with children on the pervasive developmental disorder spectrum. The basic program consists of 3 "loops" of training. For the first loop the child attends the center for 15 consecutive days (except Sundays) for two hours each day. There is a 4 to 6 week break between each loop. The child returns for two more loops of 8 consecutive days (except Sundays). The child is assisted to wear headphones for the full two hours of each day that they attend. Many parents are concerned with the wearing of the headphones, but this really is a non-issue for us at the center, as we work with this every day. The music consists mostly of Mozart and Gregorian Chants. The child will also complete lengthy series of audio-vocal work through the use of a microphone. We also record the biological mother's voice for parts of the training, where applicable.
Tomatis Training at A Total Approach
- A comprehensive initial evaluation is scheduled after your call to our center. A written report will be provided within two to three weeks after the evaluation has taken place. You do not have to wait for the written report to commence training, as we will verbally consult with you at the time of the evaluation.
- We schedule four blocks of time for Tomatis training every day:
- 9 am to 11 am
- 11.30 am to 1.30 pm
- 2 pm to 4 pm (Mondays 3 to 5pm)
- 5 pm to 7 pm (Fridays 4.30 to 6.30pm) - Saturday times may be scheduled differently and will be arranged with the family and scheduler upon time of contact. The family will receive the agreement with scheduling information in the mail.
- Your child will also receive two hours of occupational therapy every day while he / she is going through the program. The program is based on your child's individual needs as determined by the evaluation.
- There is one treatment provider for each child going through the program for the full duration of his/her program.
- A variety of different treatment programs are provided during Tomatis training and they include Sensory Integration, Floor Time (DIR – Dr. Stanley Greenspan and Dr. Serena Wieder), LindaMood-Bell programs, and oral-motor, fine motor programs.
- The family will have an initial interview as well as an exit interview on the first and last days of each "loop" of training or a phone consultation. The family will also receive ongoing feedback from a service provider on a daily basis.
- The family will be expected to complete a feedback sheet on their child on a daily basis as this assists greatly in determining the course of the child's program.
- Where applicable, the child will undergo a listening test before the initiation of a program (or on the first day) and after completion (or on the last day) of treatment. The listening test will assist us in understanding the changes in air and bone conduction as it occurs during the full treatment process.
- On the last day of each loop the interviewer will discuss practical ideas of what to consider during the time of "break" and home program suggestions.
