The Tomatis Method?

Question

Does anyone have any info on The Tomatis Method and whether or not it helps children with autism in conjunction with speech therapy?

Answer 1

it is a therapeutic listenignprogram.

Some parents swear by it-that it  significantly helped (with auditory processing)-

there are no studies to show if there was actual improvement or if teh improvement was coincidnetal.

There are a small percentage of chidlren that have negative results (worse speech, behavior) and some have temporary negative effects.

There are other 'brands' of therapeutic listening

I believe the website is www.tomatis.org if you haven't already been there.  last i checked-they had a list of the approved centers that provided it-

if you have the money-i would try it-but if you have to scrap the money together-it may not be worth it

Answer 2

I am a Fast ForWord provider and have also used Earobics. I have had students go through the Fast ForWord program after having gone all the way through the Tomatis Method. The claims made regarding the correlation of the listening component to changing brain neuropathways seems shaky to me. None of these programs are a magic cure for a child's auditory processing issues. They all have clients who have made wonderful progress, some progress, and not much change. Much depends on the protocol, the professional who is monitoring the progress, and the parents' commitment to following through on the home parts of the therapies.

I have seen good results from my students using Fast ForWord and consider it to be the program that best correlates with traditional speech therapy and the processing skills needed to make process in reading and spelling, as well as other language skills on both the receptive and expressive language sides.