Hi,

My son, Chris, had Berard AIT with May from June 27th through July 6th. I have not done a great job at documenting changes and improvements in his functioning, but everyone has noticed improvements! He has had some regression, but it has never been horrible meltdowns or tantrumming etc.. Christopher is preverbal. He was born in August of 2006. He has diagnoses of moderate level autism and probable apraxia of speech.

Regressions: Was very hyper during the therapy and had one day at school where he could not function well enough to do any school work. (Spent the morning in the sensory room.) I gave him 2 Calm's Forte tablets every morning since the "bad day", and he has done very well in school every day except for the one day.

Regressed to "mouthing stage" b/c he has had severe oral aversions since about 10 months old. He bites me and puts his hand in his mouth. (Part of his biting me is behavioral now; he knows that he is not supposed to do it!) He will not chew on a chewy "P" when directed to chew on it.

Also, has had some periods of increased hyperactivity at home.

Successes: Many, many more verbalizations which sound like or are actual words. Chris is more "connected" to me relationally.

Came to me, took my hand (which he usually does), but this time, said the word "Come" when he took my hand. Has said his 5th sentence ever. ("Let's go." at school.) Also said "I know I know I know I know I know" when he had the headphones on during treatment. Said his classmates name, "Kevin" yesterday. Said "out" to get out of the bathtub. Is saying "Gus" for "bus" (school bus). Appears to have increased receptive speech (obeys me more).

Has used his fingers on his lips to help himself say both "m's" in the word/name "Mom". Has been saying "Mom" or "Ma" much more! Said "sens" when he wanted to go to the Sensory Room at school. Has been saying the "p" sound when he wants pretzels at school. Saw the letter "P" and said "puh" (the sound for P).

Chris has been less fearful of our 2 pet cats.

Overall, Christopher is less hyper. He is able to walk in the mall and on the sidewalk with my husband or myself holding his hand. He was able to wait quietly with his dad outside of the place where he gets his hair cut.

I will write more later because I know that I have forgotten some things!

Amy

I need to add that in DIR occupational and speech therapy, Chris has demonstrated sustained attention (with the therapist) across a large room. This is something that he has not done before!

AWESOME! :)


Methinee (May) KellyB.S. NursingDirector
Advanced Sensory Educational Services (ASES)1222 North Eola RoadAurora, IL 60502
Phone: 630-797-0854Fax: 630-585-8399 Web Site: listentolearn.biz

Disclaimer Confidentiality Notice: This e-mail, and any attachmentsand/or documents linked to this email, are intended for the addressee and may contain information that is privileged,confidential, proprietary, or otherwise protected by law. Anydissemination, distribution, or copying is prohibited. This notice serves as a confidentiality marking for the purpose ofany confidentiality or nondisclosure agreement. If you have received this communication in error, please contact theoriginal sender.

Please understand that there's no "typical" response when it comes to ASD and Berard AIT. However, what Christopher is going through sounds promising because it sounds like he is showing signs of brain reorganization. This reorganization process can take up to six months.
This does not mean that it will take that long either. For example, my son showed some immediate response after his first listening session of "modulated" music. It was fantastic to see how his handwriting changed from large with poor spacing letters to a more organized, smaller, letter-sized writing.
Good luck to Christopher, the boy with the spirit to endure.


Methinee (May) KellyB.S. NursingDirector
Advanced Sensory Educational Services (ASES)1222 North Eola RoadAurora, IL 60502
Phone: 630-797-0854Fax: 630-585-8399 Web Site: listentolearn.biz

Disclaimer Confidentiality Notice: This e-mail, and any attachmentsand/or documents linked to this email, are intended for the addressee and may contain information that is privileged,confidential, proprietary, or otherwise protected by law. Anydissemination, distribution, or copying is prohibited. This notice serves as a confidentiality marking for the purpose ofany confidentiality or nondisclosure agreement. If you have received this communication in error, please contact theoriginal sender.