Guest Post: Vital Links and the Therapeutic Listening Program

After our experience with Therapeutic listening, we found that there wasn't a lot of information on the internet about the program.  I had a great experience with Therapeutic Listening and so want to offer that information to other families looking to try the program.  Vital Links graciously agreed to write a guest post for My Angels and Autism and so I am honored to introduce our very first guest blogger, Vital Links!  

Vital Links is pleased to contribute a guest post on the use of Therapeutic Listening on Mommy Provost’s blog ‘My Angels and Autism’.  As described in our video, Therapeutic Listening is an evidence-based auditory intervention intended to support individuals who experience challenges with sensory processing dysfunction, listening, attention, and communication.  

Since the auditory system has connections to many parts of the brain, sound is a powerful way to access the nervous system and affect changes at all levels.  The music in Therapeutic Listening albums gives the listener unique and precisely controlled sensory information.  The music is electronically modified to highlight the parts of the sound spectrum that naturally trigger attention and activate body movement. In addition to the electronic modifications, Therapeutic Listening capitalizes on the organized rhythmical sound patterns inherent in music to trigger the self-organizing capacities of the nervous system. 

Therapeutic Listening does not consist of one program that must be followed in a certain order.  The various albums included in Therapeutic Listening can be arranged in a number of different sequences to address a client’s specific clinical picture and goals.

One of the unique features of Therapeutic Listening is its ability to be individualized to meet each client’s particular goals and needs.  This sound-based intervention was developed using client centered principals to function as an individual therapy tool rather than a predetermined program. As a result, Therapeutic Listening relies on back and forth communication between the family and the Therapeutic Listening provider to select the most appropriate music selections.

Therapists and caregivers frequently report a broad array of changes in the clinic, home, and community environments.  Commonly reported changes include improved social interactions, improved communication skills, enhanced ability to focus, improved sleeping, increased engagement in the world, ability to transition easier and increased exploration of playground equipment.  

As Mommy Provost mentioned, during the course of Therapeutic Listening clients may display certain behaviors, such as demonstrating increased auditory sensitivity and seeking increased oral-motor input. As is observed in the typical developmental progression, your child may experience a period of disorganization once starting Therapeutic Listening before reorganization will emerge. It is important that families provide specific feedback with their Therapeutic Listening trained provider regarding behaviors observed outside of the clinic, as the provider can use this feedback to adjust Therapeutic Listening music and/or home programming activity suggestions.

To obtain more information on Therapeutic Listening or to locate a provider in your area, please visit our website www.vitallinks.net .