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Healthcare professional interested in incorporating
the Sensory Learning Program into your practice.
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Sensory Learning Program.
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Sensory Learning Program.
The Sensory Learning Program is a foundational intervention. We encourage parents to explore the Program as one of the first interventions attempted. The reasons for this are twofold: First, the benefits of the Sensory Learning Program are significant on
their own. But equally important, because the Sensory Learning Program works
on the ground-level sensory perception of the child,
where the process of learning begins, it often improves the
effectiveness of other interventions that follow.
How can I fully describe what the Sensory LearningSM Program did for our son? How do I summarize in words what can only be felt in the heart, seen in the glimmer of an eye, or tasted in the salt of joyful tears? The Sensory Learning Program is the difference between a boy who couldn't live with a drop of water touching his shoe and a boy that jumps barefoot in mud puddles. It is the difference between a boy whose mother cannot sing him a lullaby and a boy who sings them to his mother. It is the difference between a boy who runs terrified away from any bug and a boy who brings his mother a caterpillar in the palm of his little hand and says "Look, Mom, it's a fuzzy caterpillar!" with all of the emotion and wonder of a four year-old exploring his world. What did the Sensory Learning Program do for us? We have our son back.
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Rene from Michigan
I first became aware of the work of Sensory Learning Center and the Sensory Learning Program when I saw firsthand the wonderful transformation it facilitated in the child of one of my patients, a young boy diagnosed with autism. His turn-around after the 30-day intervention showed positive changes in speech, cognition, and social behaviors. His autistic behaviors that were apparent before the intervention of the Sensory Learning Program have been greatly diminished. Both toe-walking and hand-flapping are now completely absent.
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Dr. Bradley E. Habermehl, O.D.
Children on the autism spectrum crave sensory stimulation. The repetitive sensory activation of the Sensory Learning Program can help bring forward developmental patterns that have been delayed.
An open letter to DAN! Protocol Parents: My son, Jacob, had been on the DAN! Protocol for two years when it became increasingly clear his severe sensory issues needed to be addressed. In researching my options, I discovered the Sensory Learning Program and its non-invasive approach to developmental learning. The results speak for themselves:
When we arrived in Boulder on Jan 8th, 2002, Jacob had two words in his vocabulary.
By the end of our 12 days in Boulder, Jacob's vocabulary tripled. He even took a nap, which he hadn't done in over a year. He finally had a good night's sleep (so did I).
Eight months later, Jacob can count to 16, recite and recognize all 26 letters of the alphabet, and knows his shapes and colors. His eye contact is perfect.
He has lost all his autistic traits! The only issue left is speech delay. And he's saying new words everyday! To every parent implementing the DAN! Protocol whose child has sensory issues, you MUST look into the Sensory Learning Program! They're a perfect fit! --Angel, LA
Non-Verbal Language Disorder / Asperger's Syndrome
When verbal skills are strong, visual-vestibular and spatial reasoning skills can improve with the Sensory Learning Program because both the visual and vestibular systems are being engaged simultaneously in the sessions.
When our son was diagnosed with NLD (Non-verbal Learning Disorder), it felt as if our world had come crashing in. We didnt know where to turn or what to do. Though he seemed to understand things when they were explained to him, he had a problem doing some of the simplest things- like riding a bike or running. In school, his drawings were so primitive that the other kids began to tease him. We watched his self-esteem slip, and his social skills seemed to take a tailspin. Worst of all, it looked like our son was giving up on himself. But we werent about to. I called the Sensory Learning Center and learned what the Sensory Learning Program could do for my son. It was the best call Ive ever made. --L.F., CO
Acquired Brain Injury
When an adolescent or adult acquires a brain injury, the brainstem area, which receives primary sensory messages often, loses its ability to process and integrate those messages effectively. The individual often becomes hyper-vigilant, responding to all sensory impressions. Repetitive sensory activation in the sessions can help the individual relearn to process and integrate sensory input.
"After the Sensory Learning Program, it was easier to talk and think. I got my enthusiasm for life back! After a couple of years, I repeated the therapy with even more positive results." --J.K., CO, 52-year-old
Sensory stimulation naturally brings forth developmental patterns. When there are delays, repetitive, unique sensory stimulation can allow developmental milestones to emerge.
Our sons speech just took off! He was saying more and using new words. He could handle so much more because he was able to vocalize his thoughts and feelings. --J.M., CO
Even in a newborn, when the nervous system experiences physical trauma the brain begins to function as if it has an acquired brain injury. The child responds to ordinary sensory information as though the sensory messages are signaling a trauma. When the child begins to process sensory information in a safe environment during the Sensory Learning Program, he/she integrates sensory information more efficiently. The child responds and relates to his/her environment in a more typical way.
Our main reason for coming to the Sensory Learning Center was because our son only said two or three words at age three. Within the first two days of the program, he started saying a few new words. And his vocabulary grew daily from then on. It has been about six months since our visit and he now says at least 75 words clearly! He says several more with some letters dropped off. He is also combining three and four word sentences often. He had been in speech therapy and some occupational therapy for almost a year before our visit, but I am certain that our visit to the Sensory Learning Center is what has made the real difference in his language and speech progress. Thank you!!! --J.C., TX
Children may try to cope or compensate when sensory skills are difficult or impossible for them to perform. They cannot regulate sensory input or sensory activity levels due to sensory overwhelm and the accompanying emotional frustration. Many behavior problems result because sensory messages are not processed and integrated accurately and efficiently. Sensory skills are learned, and when the brain reorganizes to process and integrate sensory messages more efficiently and accurately, sensory arousal in the environment produces more natural behavioral responses.
Our daughters most significant changes had occurred in her temperament and ability to self-regulate. She continues to be well adjusted in the areas of socialization and sharing which the Sensory Learning Program greatly contributed to. --T.S., CO
ADD / ADHD
An individuals proficiency to attend to a task depends on his/her ability to regulate sensory input and sensory activity levels. Often children who have difficulty with sensory skills exhibit behaviors that earn them these labels. Many sensory messages process and integrate initially in the brainstem area. This area must be functioning in an organized way to arouse the individual to attend adeptly.
Our son can now tell a whole long story with a lot of detailed, complex speech. He is calmer and has easier transitions. His focus is better, too! At one point after the first 12 days, I gave him a worksheet and he filled it out. He just filled it out! --A.D., CO
Exercising the sensory systems simultaneously allows people to enhance their ability to multi-task and perform multi-sensory activities more efficiently and effortlessly. Sensory skills can become enhanced and can promote easier learning and improved performance.
Fortunately, a friend of my moms told us about Mary and the Sensory Learning Program. I decided to give the program a try, and Im so happy that I took that chance! My life has taken a 180º turn. Now, I accomplish tasks. I focus on tasks easily; I feel emotions, and best of all, I am now happy and content with my life. I have the drive to accomplish more and the patience that I lacked before. I am not worried or anxious about the future. I know and understand what it feels like to be calm and sure about myself and my life. --S.A., CO
If you are considering the Sensory Learning Program
for a child, click here.