Our Occupational Therapists are now certified in Therapeutic Listening and after only two weeks of using this new tool, we are thrilled to report some great success stories! 

One of our kiddos diagnosed with autism, has been coming to TherAplay for X years.  During this time, among other goals, our therapists have worked to expand his verbal range beyond his ability to vocalize one or two sounds.  After his first therapeutic listening session at TherAplay, this kiddo is now chattering away with all sorts of new sounds!  While there are more goals to meet, this breakthrough is the jump start we’ve been looking for!

Another kiddo who is diagnosed with a chromosomal abnormality has been unwilling to walk for more than 10 – 15 steps before reaching for assistance or sitting down.  While her parents report they have seen some good progress this spring, they have seen nothing like what happened just last week at TherAplay!  After 10 minutes of Therapeutic Listening, this kiddo literally “took off” – with ear phones and MP3 player attached.  She walked non-stop for nearly 15 minutes enjoying the mild weather and taking in the scenery around the TherAplay grounds!  It was a beautiful day in more ways than one!

TherAplay needs to purchase additional Therapeutic Listening modules to build upon the success we have already seen with our kiddos.  On average, a module costs $45.  If you would like to donate funds to help us purchase additional modules and support other programs and services, click here now.  Thank you!   

More about Therapeutic Listening:  Developed by Vital Links, Therapeutic Listening is a research based tool for treating people who have difficulty with processing sensory information, listening, attention, and communication. High quality music, recorded specifically for Therapeutic Listening, is altered to exaggerate the sounds that naturally capture attention and tap into the parts of the brain involved in regulating bodily functions, relating to others, and organizing behavior.

Parents, teachers, and therapists worldwide have seen significant results by using Therapeutic Listening including:

• Increased Focus and Attention

• Better Moods

• Balanced Energy Levels 

• Greater Tolerance to Noise                                        
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• Improved Sleep                                     
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• Better Handwriting

• Fewer Tantrums

• Less Anxiety

While looking up the leaderboard at the Masters today, I stumbled upon a nice article (by ESPN's Gene Wojciechowski) about Ernie Els and his eight-year-old son, Ben, who was diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in 2006.  It's a very good article you can link to below.

Ernie Els and son: Interlocking grips

I always liked Els as a golfer, but after reading this article, I'll cheer louder for the Big Easy at Augusta!

4MyChild (www.cerebralpalsy.org) recently posted the following article about the benefits of Hippotherapy for children with Cerebral Palsy.

A Walk on the Wild Side May Help Your Child Thrive

The Hippotherapy Alternative

When you find out that your child has cerebral palsy, you are concerned that his opportunities for fun and recreation will be forever limited. You desperately want to spare him the pain of being cooped up in a hospital room for treatment sessions while his friends run and play outdoors.

However, today's therapeutic options for youngsters with CP offer up the kind of thrills and adventure that any child would remember for a lifetime.

Click here to read entire article