FAQ's

N.E.W. REHAB Company
 
Providing Speech, Physical and Occupational Therapy to North-Eastern Wisconsin families since 1996.
 

Auditory Integration Training (AIT)  FAQs

 
What is AIT?
 
AIT is a method of improving the ability to process sensory and auditory information. It consists of ten listening sessions managed by an occupational therapist who has been trained in the AIT method. Individuals wear specialized headphones during these sessions to listen to specially modulated music designed to help the dysfunctional sensory system. The ten listening sessions are scheduled for twice a day for five days with one ½ hour session in the morning and one ½ hour session in the afternoon.
 
Who can be helped with AIT?
 
AIT improves the ability to process sensory and auditory information. Individuals with auditory and sensory processing difficulties have a difficult time making sense of their daily experiences. The ability to listen and communicate is difficult or non-existent. Individuals who have a difficult time communicating often act out with adverse behavior, as that is the only method of communication they have. By acting out they are able to remove themselves from situations that are uncomfortable or activities that they are unable to do.
 
Individuals with some of the following characteristics may benefit from AIT:
 
  • Poor attention to task
  • Slow thinking processes
  • Difficulty listening, understanding and making sense of sounds/information heard
  • Difficulty following directions
  • Often overloaded or move into a shutdown mode
  • Difficulty sequencing events
  • Sound hyper (over-sensitive) and hypo-sensitivity (tuned out)
  • Inability to filter out sounds around them
 
What does AIT do? How does it work?
 
AIT was originally developed by Dr. Guy Berard, a French ear, nose and throat physician. AIT stimulates the brain and helps reorganize it to allow individuals to improve their ability to listen, make sense of their daily experiences and improve communication.
 
Through the use of the specially modulated music, AIT helps to reorganize the dysfunctional sensory system so the brain no longer gets overloaded with disorganized information. Communication, learning and social abilities all improve and individuals improve their ability to fully participate in their daily routine, including work, school, play, self-care, independence, etc.
 

The Berard system of AIT has become known as the most effective approach available for enhanced listening skill, language, learning and sound tolerance.

 

What improvements will I see?

  • Greater emotional range
  • Better able to express feelings
  • Greater interest in more complex social interactions
  • More control over & more appropriate vocal intensity
  • Reduced reaction to unexpected noises, fewer complaints about hurtful sounds
  • Fewer startle responses to loud noises
  • Increase in & more appropriate eye contact
  • Improved language discrimination and comprehension & language processing
  • More appropriate social behaviors
  • Less impulsivity and restlessness
  • Less lethargy
  • Less irritability
  • Increased independence, improvement in self-help skills
  • Increased self esteem
  • Better word finding skills
  • Better motor planning skills, improvements in balance & coordination
  • Improvements in visual motor coordination (eye-hand/eye-foot)
  • More appropriate interest in the person’s environment
  • Improvements in ability to follow instructions and sequence actions
  • Reduction in the number of angry outbursts  


Location: The Auditory Integration Training Center is located in New London, WI. A therapist may be able to come to your home for the sessions providing there is a quiet environment for the child.

Cost: For the 10 day session including consultation and after care is $1000.00. In home sessions have an additonal charge.

Is AIT a good fit for my child?Our occupational therapists at N.E.W. REHAB Company are trained in the AIT method and have been working with clients for several years with outstanding functional improvements. We can help you learn more about the method and whether it might be a good fit for your situation. Contact us to learn more.