Published on 12, July, 2020
I have recently had an Occupational Therapy assessment done with my 14yr old to see if it can help us identify what can help her in school. There was a lot of useful information but the general theme is that we need to learn how to regulate before we can implement more practical things.
they recommended a treatment called Tomatis which provides neurosensory stimulation to improve brain function, through bone stimulation with music on headphones. It’s a long treatment and fairly costly - just wondering if anyone has any experience of this or if I’m being convinced to shell out money!
thanks in advance
NAS94855 said:I have recently had an Occupational Therapy assessment done with my 14yr old to see if it can help us identify what can help her in school. There was a lot of useful information but the general theme is that we need to learn how to regulate before we can implement more practical things. they recommended a treatment called Tomatis which provides neurosensory stimulation to improve brain function, through bone stimulation with music on headphones. It’s a long treatment and fairly costly - just wondering if anyone has any experience of this or if I’m being convinced to shell out money! thanks in advance
While some report positive results from Tomatis, evidence is mixed. Consulting multiple professionals or looking into other neurosensory therapies might help in making an informed decision.
what a gracious and gentle way of managing the situation! Now I want gummy bears too!. I use mushroom tablets for over-sensitivities.
There are common triggers which aren't Human Friendly, but Typical kids with a biology better suited to filter out "noise" manage to tune out. Artificial and pulsing lighting, harsh chemicals and artificial scents (cleaning agents - all particulates that one can have allergies to or simply experience the immediate danger of), and polyester uniforms (which are basically plastic - as in made of micro-plastic threads). Then there's the noise from untreated poor acoustics which can be genuinely painful to the ear canal as they are not invisible, but real sound waves.
The biological difference which non-autistic children have can be potentially aided with supplements. My son takes the gummy mushrooms made by Feel Güd and over time they aid immune system along with a better focus and calm. But can take a month, shouldn't be taken with extra Vit D, as they're already a good source.
Implementing practical changes aids regulation, not the other way around. If you were subjected to harsh elements beyond your control, it would be difficult to 'regulate'. First make the practical changes, then there's little need to 'regulate'.
Sounds interesting I wish you all the best with your endeavours!
NAS94855 said:they recommended a treatment called Tomatis which provides neurosensory stimulation to improve brain function, through bone stimulation with music on headphones.
I did some digging on Tomatis and have found fairly little peer reviewed research which is concusive.
One research article ( https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7173755/ ) points out the lack of research but I note that was in 2011 says it remains very much at an early experimental stage and Given the lack of evidence that auditory integration training (AIT) or other sound therapies are effective as a treatment for autism, future research is discouraged.
Searching for more about the subject mostly brings up companies who benefit from selling the high cost treatments rather than quality scientific studies.
For me this leaves Tomatis in the snake oil category of treatment until proven othewise.
If anyone has more recent peer-reviewed research to read then I would be happy to review this opinion.