ADHD and Tomatis therapy

[Anonymous]

My 5 year old has been recently diagnosed with ADHD. A friend of mine used the Tomatis therapy on her daughter with moderate autism and she/I saw very positive results just after the first two weeks of listening sessions. I was wondering if there are any cases/success stories with it? TIA!

[Anonymous]

We tried it at OT's suggestion and saw nothing. Most of DCUM assumes the Listening Program is a hoax. I figure it is something that actually works for some people but we don't understand the science behind it, so no one can really explain why. You just have to try it to know, but most people are going to tell you that it is a waste of time and money.

[Anonymous]

Yes, I am a research scientist and my husband is a doctor, and we KNOW, based on the research, that these things are pseudo-scientific frauds.

People go for the exotic instead of the tried and true, hoping for magical results, and not just for mental health, but for everything. Anti-aging, for instance: the one molecule that has been proven to be extremely effective is retinol. But the market is flooded with other stuff. Retinol, sunscreen, hydration and sleep are boring, as are ADHD meds and good old behavioral modification.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We tried it at OT's suggestion and saw nothing. Most of DCUM assumes the Listening Program is a hoax. I figure it is something that actually works for some people but we don't understand the science behind it, so no one can really explain why. You just have to try it to know, but most people are going to tell you that it is a waste of time and money.

Can you tell me how long did you take it for and was it for ADHD?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Yes, I am a research scientist and my husband is a doctor, and we KNOW, based on the research, that these things are pseudo-scientific frauds.

People go for the exotic instead of the tried and true, hoping for magical results, and not just for mental health, but for everything. Anti-aging, for instance: the one molecule that has been proven to be extremely effective is retinol. But the market is flooded with other stuff. Retinol, sunscreen, hydration and sleep are boring, as are ADHD meds and good old behavioral modification.

Wait, so you don't think that there is no positive impact? There is actually research by Stanford confirming that it is beneficial and there are confirmed cases/results. The expectation is not to cure an autism but to improve the functions and quality of life. For example, a child who screams at all times is able to reduce the episodes and calm down. Like with any other therapy, you need to combine it with others and who gives you a guarantee that OT will work??
I work with speech pathology dep. at GWU and I can tell you that yes, we were skeptical in the 1980's but more and more research is supporting it, and somehow it works for a lot of people out in the world-in some parts listening therapies are available at elementary schools and preschools.
A fellow professor in Montreal said that this is very popular in Canada.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Yes, I am a research scientist and my husband is a doctor, and we KNOW, based on the research, that these things are pseudo-scientific frauds.

People go for the exotic instead of the tried and true, hoping for magical results, and not just for mental health, but for everything. Anti-aging, for instance: the one molecule that has been proven to be extremely effective is retinol. But the market is flooded with other stuff. Retinol, sunscreen, hydration and sleep are boring, as are ADHD meds and good old behavioral modification.

Doctors always think they know best. That's why they're the worst at finances and anything outside of their particular field.

[Anonymous]

I think there may be some benefits to listening therapy for some children, but I question whether the expensive systems are really necessary. I think just playing some classical or jazz CDs would work just as well, and if nothing else, could be a relaxing activity you enjoy with your child.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Yes, I am a research scientist and my husband is a doctor, and we KNOW, based on the research, that these things are pseudo-scientific frauds.

People go for the exotic instead of the tried and true, hoping for magical results, and not just for mental health, but for everything. Anti-aging, for instance: the one molecule that has been proven to be extremely effective is retinol. But the market is flooded with other stuff. Retinol, sunscreen, hydration and sleep are boring, as are ADHD meds and good old behavioral modification.

Doctors always think they know best. That's why they're the worst at finances and anything outside of their particular field.

Agreed. It's like not believing that yoga or meditation is beneficial and calling it a fraud!
I would suggest to rely on the results of the people/kids who have experienced it and moreover, it can not hurt.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We tried it at OT's suggestion and saw nothing. Most of DCUM assumes the Listening Program is a hoax. I figure it is something that actually works for some people but we don't understand the science behind it, so no one can really explain why. You just have to try it to know, but most people are going to tell you that it is a waste of time and money.

Can you tell me how long did you take it for and was it for ADHD?

I am sorry I don't remember how long we did it... maybe a few months? We did OT for years and this was during one portion of it. We did a lot of other things that also seemed to have zero effect... like Wilbarger Brushing Protocol. For some reason the name stands out!

My son has ADHD, yes. At the time he didn't have the diagnosis but he had every red flag. Officially we were in OT for motor planning and fine motor issues but they were always working on sensory stuff too. My son was definitely a crash-into-things kind of kid and kind of insensitive to pain so he was on that end of the sensory spectrum. Plus they worked on vestibular and balance issues as well as auditory processing.

I guess I was willing to go along with the Listening Program because it seemed to target the auditory processing issue in a way that, while no one could explain in any sort of sensible way, I thought might actually have some logic to it. Plus it seemed harmless, like the only loss would be money.

I saw absolutely no difference whatsoever, truly none at all. I am someone who believes in therapy of all kinds. This same kid benefited enormously from 12 months of speech therapy. I have a different child who was in therapy for anxiety and emotional regulation and I could make a list for you of the ways in which it has helped him.

The listening program had zero short-term and zero long-term effect. I am very willing to believe that we didn't do it for long enough and even that my son didn't have some particular issue which happens to be the one that the listening Program helps. But since no one could effectively explain anything about it, we stopped after a few months.

Look, personally, I feel like anything that has no negative side effects is worth exploring. I was definitely willing to sacrifice time and money... but up to a point! I had to see some sign of progress or I'd move on to something else.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We tried it at OT's suggestion and saw nothing. Most of DCUM assumes the Listening Program is a hoax. I figure it is something that actually works for some people but we don't understand the science behind it, so no one can really explain why. You just have to try it to know, but most people are going to tell you that it is a waste of time and money.

Can you tell me how long did you take it for and was it for ADHD?

I am sorry I don't remember how long we did it... maybe a few months? We did OT for years and this was during one portion of it. We did a lot of other things that also seemed to have zero effect... like Wilbarger Brushing Protocol. For some reason the name stands out!

My son has ADHD, yes. At the time he didn't have the diagnosis but he had every red flag. Officially we were in OT for motor planning and fine motor issues but they were always working on sensory stuff too. My son was definitely a crash-into-things kind of kid and kind of insensitive to pain so he was on that end of the sensory spectrum. Plus they worked on vestibular and balance issues as well as auditory processing.

I guess I was willing to go along with the Listening Program because it seemed to target the auditory processing issue in a way that, while no one could explain in any sort of sensible way, I thought might actually have some logic to it. Plus it seemed harmless, like the only loss would be money.

I saw absolutely no difference whatsoever, truly none at all. I am someone who believes in therapy of all kinds. This same kid benefited enormously from 12 months of speech therapy. I have a different child who was in therapy for anxiety and emotional regulation and I could make a list for you of the ways in which it has helped him.

The listening program had zero short-term and zero long-term effect. I am very willing to believe that we didn't do it for long enough and even that my son didn't have some particular issue which happens to be the one that the listening Program helps. But since no one could effectively explain anything about it, we stopped after a few months.

Look, personally, I feel like anything that has no negative side effects is worth exploring. I was definitely willing to sacrifice time and money... but up to a point! I had to see some sign of progress or I'd move on to something else.

Not a OP but thank you. This is very helpful as I am also facing it, at the beginning of the road with ADHD and seeking help everywhere just not to get him dependent on meds...
So I talked to another mother who shared that there are a few types of listening therapies (did not know that) and that she was looking particularly for the Tomatis one as there are apparently a bunch of "copy cats" calling themselves to be that, and that you need to look for certified Tomatis therapists trained by the institute and uses their approved equipment. I am on the fence but willing to try...

[Anonymous]

Tomatis works, but takes more or less time for different kids. My daughter had speech delays ( not talking at 3.5) and just after three weeks, she made significant progress. Mind you, she had sessions every day for an hour and a half, but that really helped. She was also taking speech therapy once a week but even her pathologist agreed that training her listening was game changing.

[Anonymous]

I heard great things about but I wonder the cost-everyone keeps saying that’s expensive..how much and where can we find a place?

[Anonymous]

You can probably ask your pediatrician or therapist for recommendations

[Anonymous]

I have been looking for a Tomatis therapy place in VA. I only saw a couple of other listening therapies.
Does anyone know a Tomatis Therapist in the area?

[Anonymous]

We will be trying creative health solutions in Oakton, they are listed in Tomatis website and they seem to have good reviews.