Dr. Chun WongFrom:
In cases of Autism and other neurological disorders, one of the common symptoms is difficulty with sensory perception. Electronic Auditory Stimulation Effect (more commonly known as EASe), is a therapeutic audio strategy that targets auditory sensory difficulties and strives to better enable children to deal with this painful and life-altering symptom of Autism.
What Is Sensory Perception Disorder?
We often think of sensory perception disorder as something that can make its sufferers unable to see, hear, taste, etc. to the same capacity as those with normal sensory perception. This is true in some cases as we all have seen blind and deaf people in person and portrayed often on television.
However, there are other cases in which sensory perception is abnormally heightened. An alarm clock ring can be excruciating to hear, the smell of egg salad can be pungent, the feel of a warm washcloth on the skin can be intolerable. The shining of the summer sun through the curtains can be blinding and painful.
Specifically in Autism, auditory hypersensitivity is very common and can be extremely painful. Another similar condition, Hyperacusis is common in Autism. In Hyeracusis cases, the sufferer is over-sensitive to certain frequency ranges of sound and is often unable to tolerate everyday sounds such as birds chirping, planes flying overhead, or even people chewing.
How Do People Develop Sensory Perception Disorder?
As the brain grows, it develops connections that enable us to react in a “typical” way to sensory stimuli. We pickup the natural reaction to cover our ears when a loud sound occurs, pinch our nose when we smell something foul, or cover our eyes when the light is too bright. If these connections aren’t made, it is believed that the child will not be able to develop the ability to execute habitual practices for sensory occurrences. If the child has been dealing with Sensory Perception long enough, it’s possible that they develop unnatural responses as coping mechanisms.
As parents to an Autistic child, what are you to do? This is where EASe comes into play.
The Basics and History Of EASe
EASe is a compilation of music that has been processed through Berard AIT (Auditory Integration Training) standards. Dr. Guy Berard created this system in the 1950’s to treat certain kinds of hearing impairments. After further studies, he found that other brain functions such as listening, concentration, and memory were also improved by using his program.Additionally, many clients reported no longer experiencing the anxiety often associated with unexpected and irritating noises.
A typical EASe therapy consists of strategically processed music on several CDs. It is recommended that they are played in random order. It ideally teaches children how to habituate sudden noises and develop better processing of unexpected frequencies. This leads to better mental, physical and emotional adjustments. The amount of time that you’ll see the benefits can range as each child is different. Some people report changes after as few as 2 sessions, others take a few weeks or months.
Where Can I Obtain EASe CD’s?
There are several websites that offer this treatment. You can either type EASe into your search engine, or contact our admin team here at New Autism Cure for leads on products.
Keep in mind that the EASe approach is not a cure to Autism so much as a means to control some of the most life altering and uncomfortable symptoms.
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Comments (2)
I don't have Sensory Perception Disorder or Autism, but I do have Auditiory Processing Disorder (which can be found in Autism, Aspies, and be misdiagonised as such or as ADD/HD). I am an 25 year old who, on the outside, looks like you're average
While it is two different disorders, I can totally relate to having done this type of activity as a way to help me in my daily life. I don't use the specific cd's you've mentioned.
I use my iPod. It helps calm me down when I am frustated, angry or anxiety I might not be able to handle on my own.
This would be a good techiqune for parents out there to help calm ANY child. I would reccomend having the music as being music that your child will calm down to every time you play it. Don't use it whenever you want your child to calm down because after a point, it won't work. If and when you notice your child is having a hard time focusing, play it for about 10 minutes (or as background noise, depending what works for your child). You should notice a difference. Experiment until you find what works for your child.
The soundtrack to Memoirs of a Geshia is very good for me because it has a steady beat to it that is crisp and clear for me to hear. Depending on what I need to get done, it works for ME.
I only discovered that this works for me within the last couple of years or so. And I've been out of school for the last 3 years. :(
I have SPD but not Autism. I didn't know they two were similar. I do have anxiety as well though. Which the two do not mix very well.
My mom thought I was abused at school cause I would cringe really bad when she raised her voice. I also had real trouble holding a pencil. I was diagnosed with it in fourth grade, and it always has affected me, but I wasn't told until kind of recently. Now I am constasntly learning more about it, and myself.
To me, SPD feels like I'm stuck in a constant mode of being uncomfortable. Anything can bother me. A shirt, my hair, a noise, a light...everything. I ride the bus to work cause I'm too poor for a car. I wonder why no one else cowers away from the awful noise when the bus stops...it's extremely painful to me. I also can't ride a bike to this day. My perception is too off, and I'm really fearful of it.
I've always found music a good way to escape those thoughts and troubles. Something dreamy, colorful, creative and complex to paint a picture. To take my mind away from everything.