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Date:         Wed, 6 Jan 1993 15:56:14 -0600
              <AUTISM@SJUVM.BITNET>
From:         "Lynda W. Huggins" <HUGGINS@MERLIN.NLU.EDU>
Subject:      Re: Auditory Integration Training

Lisa I think perhaps we are talking about two different research studies
done by Dr. Edelson.  I believe that the articles to which you refer were
on his pilot study.  I do not believe that any articles or reports have
been done as of this time on the second, larger study in which my son
participated (August '91 - May '92).  Dr. Edelson plans a third research
study to investigate how people respond after having a second ten-day
session.  This third study may be in progress now, I do not know.

In October of 1990 Dr. Edelson initiated his research on the efficacy of
auditory training for people with autism by conducting a pilot study at
Portland State University.  He observed statistically significant differences
between those individuals who received Berard-type auditory training
(processed music; 8 people) and those individuals who received a placebo
(normal music; 9 people).  The results indicated a reduction in self-
stimulatory behaviors, impulsivity, distractibility, and echolalia as well
as an increase in attention, auditory memory, articulation, and comprehension.
He did not observe a change in the subjects' ability to hear sounds (based
on their audiograms) nor a change in their sensitivity to sounds.  The results
from the pilot study were encouraging; however, the study was conducted on a
relatively small sample of autistic individuals.

In August, 1991, Dr. Edelson began his second research study investigating
the efficacy of auditory training.  In this second study, Dr. Edelson did
not have a control (placebo) group because he felt it was unethical for
people to travel a long distance and not receive auditory training.
Families traveled from around North America to participate in the project.
Research goals for the second study were two-fold:  (1) comparing the
effectiveness of Dr. Berard's EERS device with the new device, the Audio
Tone Enhancer/Trainer, which had been recently developed by the BGC company
in San Diego.  In theory, the BGC device was equal to or better than the
EERS device; however, there was always the possibility that the BGC device
would be less effective.  Only research can answer that question.  (Note,
at that time it was called BGC and due to some conflict in company name,
it is now called the BCG.)  (2) attempting to determine what type(s) of
autistic individuals will benefit from auditory training.  There are
many different forms of autism, and it is unreasonable to assume that
everyone with autism will benefit from auditory training.

Participants in the second research study were not told for nine months
which device was utilized in their auditory training.  We completed tons
of questionnaires, daily during the training, and many more each month for
nine months after AIT.  Dr. Edelson calculated that he would have over
30,000 questionnaires by the end of 1992, and over one million data points.
Given all of this information, he hopes to be able to answer many questions
concerning the efficacy of auditory training.

If you have any questions about auditory training and/or Dr. Edelson's
research project, you may contact:

        The Center for the Study of Autism
        Auditory Training Research Project
        2207B Portland Road
        Newberg, OR 97132
        (503) 538-9045

Both Dr. Edelson and Dr. Rimland recommend against the Tomatis method.
To quote Dr. Rimland, "...we feel it would be best for parents approached
by purveyors of the Tomatis therapy to avoid it.  We feel it is less
likely to be effective, more likely to produce adverse reactions, and
more expensive and intrusive.  We also find objectionable the heavy
emphasis by Tomatis on supposed psychological and emotional factors in
autism, and the sudden change in the duration of Tomatis training from
its original 6-12 months to its current 12 days - probably in response
to the 10 days required by Berard Auditory Training.  We object to
unsupportable claims by some Tomatis practitioners, such as '80% of
autistic children are helped'." (quote from Dr. Rimland's ARI Publ. 111,
10/91)

Sounds that were troublesome for Jon before AIT, such as the high pitched
screech of the rewinding tape, are now amusing to him.  I did not mean
to indicate that Jon now laughs inappropriately at this sound.  The first
time he heard it after AIT, he found it very funny.  Sounds that he
avoided, such as the barking of our dog, he now encourages by offering
Spot a treat if he "speaks".  I would not say that he is displaying a
different kind of (typically) autistic behavior.  I do not find it hard
to understand the humor in the sound of something, i.e., a tape rewind,
that was once painful, a pleasantly surprising experience after AIT.

During the actual training Jon did complain and want us to "turn it off"
for the first few sessions.  However, he seemed to be indicating discomfort
rather than pain.  He was easily persuaded to keep the headphones on
with a promise that if he listened, we would go to McDonald's for lunch.
All things considered, I think I had a far easier time getting Jon to
sit still and keep the headphones on his ears than did parents of the
younger children.

The list I have of trained Auditory Integration practitioners is from the
Georgiana Foundation.  I receive Anabel's newsletter and updates to the
list as new people are trained.  Anyone wishing a complete list could
contact:

                The Georgiana Foundation
                P.O. Box 2607
                Westport, CT 06880
                (203) 454-1221
                FAX (203) 454-3788

Certainly we all need to beware of places setting up AIT which are in
it strictly for the money.  This is the primary reason for the creation
of SAIT.  Hopefully, parents will soon be able to verify that an AIT
practitioner is approved by SAIT and feel comfortable that strict policies,
minimum training, equipment standards, and guidelines are being followed.

The lady traveling here to provide AIT believes that this is the best
way to make auditory training available.  If five or more families contract
with her for AIT, she will come to you!  If you consider the cost of
traveling to another location, lodging & food for two weeks, not to
mention the affect the change in location has upon a person with autism,
this is a wonderful option for parents.

Lisa, I wish you luck with AIT this summer.  Please keep us posted on
developments.

Lynda in Louisiana
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