Individuals with hypersensitive, asymmetrical or otherwise compromised hearing often experience difficulties in learning, communicating, and adjusting to their environment. This is because their brain is receiving auditory signals that can not be organized and interpreted in a meaningful way. The result is often manifested in speech delays, learning disabilities, auditory processing problems, behavior difficulties, sensory integration dysfunctions and an inability to “fit in.” Berard Auditory Integration Training has been successful in helping many individuals make sense of auditory input and has allowed them to better connect with their world.

What is Berard AIT?

Berard Auditory Integration Training (AIT) is an educational intervention that was developed by Dr. Guy Berard, a French ear, nose and throat specialist. He focused on ways to rehabilitate those individuals with hearing loss and auditory distortions, such as hypersensitivity and asymmetrical hearing. Hypersensitivity occurs when people hear certain frequencies much better than other frequencies, so much so that it affects their day to day functioning. In an attempt to shut out unwanted noise, these individuals compensate by tuning out all sounds. The result is an individual that does not seem to be in touch with their surroundings and not socially adept. Asymmetrical hearing occurs when both ears are not coordinated and, therefore, hear sounds differently. This can make it difficult to interpret and organize auditory input. According to Dr. Berard, these auditory problems are factors that contribute to disorders such as autism, pervasive developmental disorders (PDD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), dyslexia, apraxia, sensory integration dysfunction, developmental delays, central auditory processing disorder (CAPD) and other learning disabilities.

AIT retrains the auditory system and allows more efficient and organized processing of information. It coordinates the hearing between both ears and changes may be seen in the following areas:

• Enhanced ability to follow directions
• Comprehension of the written and spoken word
• Expressing oneself orally
• Improved language discrimination
• Increased desire to communicate verbally and interact with others
• Improved use of appropriate affect and expression
• Eye contact during interactions
• Increased appropriate social behavior
• Enhanced academic performance
• Improvement in social skills
• Less impulsivity and restlessness
• Reduced distractibility
• Increased independence and self-esteem
• Decreased sensory issues

Dr. Berard used his method successfully with thousands of individuals. One of the most notable was Georgiana Stehli, a child with autism who received the training while in France. Her mother, Annabel, was so amazed by the results that she wrote about her experience in The Sound of a Miracle, A Child’s Triumph Over Autism. Annabel wanted to share her news with the world and bring AIT to the United States. She wanted to give hope to other parents who, like herself, were searching for ways to help their child. Since then, many thousands more have realized the positive outcome that can be the result of Auditory Integration Training.

What does Berard AIT involve?

After the initial intake process, the first step is an assessment of the individual’s hearing. Upon checking the overall health of the client’s ears, an audiotest is performed by a certified audiologist following Dr. Berard’s method and protocol of administering audiotests. An audiogram depicting the client’s response to the 11 frequencies tested determines which filters, if any, will be needed during the 10 day training session. The client will also be tested in the areas of laterality and selectivity to determine if sounds are being processed equally in a coordinated manner and to see if a client is able to discriminate between various pitches. Once the initial testing has been completed and evaluated, the training session may begin.

The training consists of 20 half hour listening sessions with specially modulated music over a ten day period. The equipment that is used in this process is called the Earducator™ . After 5 hours of listening, a midpoint audiotest is administered. The results are evaluated and compared to the initial audiotest. At this time, filters may need to be changed based on the client’s response to the training. A final audiotest is performed after the 10th day of training. While a client is participating in the training sessions, parent education and consultation is offered on an individual basis. Documentation of emerging behaviors, both positive and negative, is noted daily. Information about the reteaching of skills is provided and discussed with each parent as it is a crucial part of after care. Other information about preserving the benefits of AIT is also provided.

The Berard method of Auditory Integration Training (AIT) helps reorganize the brain to improve auditory and sensory processing capabilities. Participants use headphones to comfortably listen to AIT auditory stimulation. This reorganizes the dysfunctional sensory center so the brain no longer gets overloaded with disorganized information. The Berard system of AIT has since become regarded as the most effective approach available for enhanced listening skills, language, learning and sound tolerance.

Who can benefit from AIT?

AIT can help, but is not limited to those with the following:

• Speech and language delays
• Poor Balance and coordination
• Processing delays
• Sensory Integration Dysfunction
• Disorganization when processing sensory information
• Sound sensitivity
• Low tolerance for distractions
• Fluency problems
• Auditory processing difficulties
• Poor attention and concentration
• Learning delays
  

What is Snedden Enrichment and how can it help you?

My name is Keri Snedden and I am co-founder of Snedden Enrichment, a learning center that services people of all ages and ability levels. My husband, George, and I offer a variety of services for children and adults. Among the services that we provide are: SAT preparation courses, High School Placement Test preparation, Orton-Gillingham reading instruction, private tutoring, summer enrichment courses, advanced word study classes and Berard Auditory Integration Training.

Berard AIT is the latest addition to our list of services and potentially the most promising educational intervention that helps with various disabilities. Many children and adults alike experience a variety of problems that inhibit them from reaching their full potential. Some of these problems are undiagnosed and/or not treated properly. Many people have learned how to compensate for their learning disabilities and just accept the way they learn and process information. Berard AIT, developed by Dr. Guy Berard, is a ten day training session designed to improve a person’s ability to process auditory information.

I decided to become a Berard AIT practitioner after reading the book, The Sound of a Miracle, written by Annabel Stehli. In the book, Mrs. Stehli tells the story of her life, focusing on her autistic daughter and how she overcame autism after a ten day Auditory Integration Training session with Dr. Berard. My daughter, Kiernan, age 3, has disabilities and at one time was thought to have autism herself. She is currently receiving services for significant speech delays and has exhibited signs of hypersensitive hearing since birth. She cries and holds her ears whenever there is a loud noise. She runs out of the room crying when someone starts to laugh and complains of a dog barking 3 streets away. Needless to say, her hearing is very sensitive and significantly impacts her day to day activities.

On my quest to help her develop, learn and grow, I came across this book and read it in less than 24 hours. It was a truly inspiring book, which led me to become a Berard AIT practitioner myself. I was trained by Sally Brockett, the leading AIT expert in North America, who, herself, was trained directly by Dr. Guy Berard, the founder of Berard AIT. Since becoming certified, I have serviced clients with various disabilities including ADHD, Sensory Integration Dysfunction, Autism, Pervasive Developmental Disorder, Learning Disabilities, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Hypersensitive Hearing, Central Auditory Processing Disorder, Dyslexia and Apraxia. In the spring, I am scheduled to go to China to provide AIT to 8 children with various disabilities.

Snedden Enrichment began as a joint venture between George and Keri Snedden, both certified special education teachers. George holds a master’s degree and currently teaches at Moorestown High School. His ten years of teaching experience has exposed him to various disabilities and ability levels. He has worked with children from elementary school up to the age of 21. George’s teaching experience is varied as he has taught courses in English, Basic Math, Algebra, World History and various test preparation and study skills courses. Keri’s teaching experience at Burlington County Special Services allowed her the opportunity to work with severely disabled children. Throughout her ten years of employment, she worked with children with multiple disabilities. In the year 2000, after the birth of her first child, Keri left Special Services to teach part time in the Cinnaminson School District. After baby #2, Keri left teaching in the public school system, but continued to tutor privately. A scholarship was awarded to Keri in 1998 which enabled her to become a certified Orton-Gillingham tutor. Since then, she has spent the last 8 years tutoring children with dyslexia and other reading disabilities. She is currently devoting all of her attention to working with students at Snedden Enrichment by providing them with Berard AIT, Orton-Gillingham Instruction and Advanced Word Study classes. Keri is also a state certified elementary school teacher and school reading teacher.

During the course of the ten day training session, Keri Snedden will be documenting client behaviors daily, providing information and resources related to your child’s difficulties and educating you about aftercare.

The cost of a Berard AIT session is $1,200.00 which includes an initial consultation, parent education, three audiotests with a licensed audiologist, evaluating checklists, 20 half-hour sessions, and a follow-up contact after three months.

Contact Keri Snedden at Snedden Enrichment to schedule your 10 day Berard AIT session.

Or register onlinefor the current session July 7th - July 16th, 2008.

Snedden Enrichment • 300 Chester Avenue, Suite 204A, Moorestown, NJ 08057 • (609) 410-3627