Do you have a child who is good at certain things but struggles with executive functioning and focus in general? Do you find your kid fidgety, lacking attention and emotional regulation has a diagnosis of ASD, ADD, ADHD, or auditory processing disorder? Does your child suffer in day-to-day life or school due to learning and communication disorders? Then keep reading…
I have always been on the lookout for multisensory approaches to support learning. Sound healing therapy uses aspects of music to improve physical and emotional health and well-being. My son is minimally verbal(has delayed echolalia) and possesses a great liking for music. This is the primary reason why I researched and chose such a non-invasive therapy. He also has a comorbid diagnosis of ADHD along with ASD and some adaptive delays. I want to share our personal experience with Soundsory a therapy that indeed delivered on multiple facets.
Why Soundsory and what is it?
It is an alternative therapy that stimulates the brain by manipulating the sounds of music in a structured manner eventually improving sensory, developmental, and learning deficits. What’s more, they have a home-based program that is easy to administer in addition to the one for professionals. This is a gamechanger for kids who cannot be driven to a center due to diverse needs/challenges.
Soundsory is a 40-day program divided into two blocks of 20 days each with a recommended 3-week break in between each 20-day session. Each day consists of 30 minutes of music listening with an optional exercise program. It is based on a concept known as neuroplasticity: the brain can change itself and create new connections through specific and repeated stimulation. It works by activating the neuronal connections in different areas of the brain through the auditory channel and ultimately training the ear and the brain to analyze and process sensory information more quickly and accurately.
How to use it?
The program offers a bone conduction headset with music tracks that are all pre-programmed. Sound is transmitted using both air and bone conduction to deliver a unique and efficient stimulation of both the auditory and vestibular systems. At the start of each half-hour session, the music begins quietly, builds to up momentum, and then tapers back to quiet. The program also offers a link to online videos that have simple exercises to accompany each day, as you listen.
Soundsory kit.
Simply turn on the special headphones that already contain the program music; select the right day and place the headset on. At the end of the section, the headphone will automatically shut off, indicating the end of the day’s activity. If you still have questions check the how to use video here.
We have completed our 20 days of the session and are on our recommended break between sessions. Here is our experience.
How Soundsory helped?
My son immediately took to the Soundsory music and needed no motivation to keep the headset on for 30 minutes. So we were able to do it for recommended time right from day 1, minus the exercises. He seemed to enjoy the
program and appeared thoughtful and happy while listening. Within 3 days there was a noticeable improvement in mood. After a week into the program, he started to use some novel phrases. His verbal self-stimming behavior came down drastically, which means he started being more responsive in his therapies and attentive for a longer duration. See a chart below that talks to this point with evidence.
My son was perfectly trip trained. However, no matter what we did he made little to no progress in initiating potty trips. After Soundsory’s 1st segment- i.e completion of 20 days, he initiates potty during his in-home therapy sessions and mostly through the day for almost 70% of the time. We are eagerly waiting to complete the 2nd round and see any functional outcomes those may bring.
Final thoughts
With the Soundsory program [1st segment – 20 days] my son has had bursts with his creative expression, he is problem-solving, rather than having tantrums. His self stimming behaviors have come down drastically, as a result, he can focus and attend better. He has been effective in his therapies and communicates persistently all his needs and wants. His verbal response times have improved and he can answer some reciprocal questions. Most important of all, he is initiating potty requests – a milestone for any parent who has been through this difficult journey. Overall my son has shown noticeable gains in attention, memory, behavior, speech, and mood control. Pursuing Soundsory as an alternate therapy is so worth it!
References :
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10904018.1999.10499024
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/BF02688778
https://autismone.org/sites/default/files/LuckerDoman_ASD04%20(2).pdf
That’s awesome about the difference you have seen with your son. I had never heard of this. I have always loved the relaxing sounds of the Tibetan singing bowls. Music and sound does really promote healing, focus and relaxation.
You are right. Truly. music is healing and has its role in emotional regulation. I have been pleasantly surprised with the benefits it has offered in speech and attention issues.