Before reading about each client's case, we ask you to watch the videos. There is nothing more powerful than hearing the passion and love in a parent's voice as they express the joy they receive as they witness the progress their child is making.
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Although my son Marshall has not been diagnosed yet, he has problems with visual and auditory processing. These processing issues have caused delays in his speech and language skills and made it difficult for him to perform simple daily tasks. Also, sound sensitivities have caused him to be afraid of loud noises.
I noticed remarkable changes in Marshall’s speech and awareness levels almost immediately after beginning the program at The Sensory Center. Before the sessions, Marshall did not talk very much. Despite our efforts, he usually would speak only when my husband or I coaxed him, and then he would respond with only one or two words. After our second day at The Sensory Center, Marshall started talking spontaneously. For the first time in his life, he was talking because he wanted to! His sentences have become more complex, too. We were so surprised when he suddenly began using pronouns. It has been such a relief to discover that he previously had absorbed the knowledge of how speak properly; he just was prevented from using it because of malfunctions in his sensory systems.
In addition to Marshall’s increased verbalization, he also is much more aware of other people and his environment. He now pays attention to what we say and shows interest in the people and events around him.
We also have noticed a great increase in his ability to organize information in his head. Normally when I give him a small chore to do, I have to break the task into small sections and guide him through each part. After beginning the sessions at The Sensory Center, I asked Marshall to set the table and he was able to do it completely on his own. He even counted out and placed the right number of silverware pieces on the table! He also uses the bathroom on his own now, and he is no longer scared of the blow dryer and other noisy appliances.
Thank you for everything you have done. This has been the biggest and best investment we have made in our son’s future and we are exceptionally satisfied with the results. This program exceeded our expectations, and it has been a joy to see Marshall progress so rapidly.
Shannon McComb, California
My daughter, MacKenzie, developed normally until the age of two. When she was four years old, she was diagnosed with regressive autism. I researched many different treatment options and then enrolled her in some of these programs. These programs helped MacKenzie to the point that within a few years, her diagnosis of autism was rescinded, but she still displayed ADD tendencies. I noticed that she had residual sensory processing issues that interfered with her ability to progress academically. She had difficulty concentrating and her hyperactive behavior was disruptive in the classroom. Also, her fine-motor skills were underdeveloped, which affected her handwriting. Although she is in the third grade, her handwriting reflected a first-grade-level ability. She also had problems with coordination and she was unable to ride a bike.
When I heard about the program at The Sensory Center, I was intrigued by the fact that it directly targets the body's sensory systems. I hoped it might help MacKenzie with these problems that had not been resolved through other interventions. I was impressed by the fact that the program can be tailored to meet the particular needs of each person. MacKenzie has strabismus and, despite having had corrective surgery, her eyes do not track properly at times. When I learned that the phototherapy portion of the program at The Sensory Center could be customized to address this issue, I became even more interested in enrolling her.
MacKenzie seemed to enjoy the therapy but certain spectrums of light bothered her. I learned that it is necessary to supply these colors in isolation so that they cannot be filtered out, which is the normal response when a person has specific sensitivities. However, these spectrums must be given because they are necessary for healing. Her agitation soon subsided and I began to notice marked differences in her behavior. By the second or third day of the program, MacKenzie was able to sit still and concentrate for periods of time and she began reading voraciously! Her handwriting has significantly improved, too. She now writes much more quickly and her letters are smaller and neater.
Prior to this program, MacKenzie was talkative and social, but she tended to fixate on one subject. After the first few sessions, her speech became more organized and linear. She now formulates good questions and conversations with her have become easier and more natural. Also, the program has been great for MacKenzie's visual perception. I have noticed improvements in her eye tracking and alignment.
This intervention has been one of the most phenomenal in terms of meeting MacKenzie's needs. Everyone at The Sensory Center has been wonderful and I am so delighted with the results! It is really exciting to see MacKenzie's confidence increase. Just the other day, I took her to the park and she ran directly to the jungle gym and climbed almost to the top without hesitation. She never would have done this before! I look forward to these daily surprises. Thank you so much.
Amy Butts, Oregon
William was diagnosed with autism when he was two and a half years old. His development had progressed normally up to this point. Suddenly, his language and social skills rapidly regressed. As time went by, it became obvious that his ability to focus or concentrate was seriously impaired. William was unable to sit still; he constantly moved. When watching television, he would jump around and wave his hands. He also displayed sensitivities to sensory stimuli: often sounds were too loud or too soft; and lights were too bright or too dim. These are just a few of the many troubling symptoms that William suffered from.
In response to this, I enrolled William in several therapy and treatment programs. These programs significantly improved his verbal and cognitive skills, but I recognized that there still was a core deficit in his ability to integrate sensory information; and it became clear that these sensory issues were keeping him from making more progress.
At first, I was skeptical that this intervention could help William. I did a lot of research before I was willing to try the program at The Sensory Center. All this research soon convinced me that this approach just might be exactly what William needed.
By William’s second day at The Sensory Center, I noticed that he was able to watch television without spinning and jumping so much. He actually would sit still and watch the screen quietly for periods of time. He also became more aware of objects in his environment and showed an interest in being social. He now plays with toys more appropriately and seeks out companions to play with. His voluntary language and diction have increased dramatically and his need for deep tactile pressure has decreased by about 80%.
It has been so rewarding to see William respond to me in a way that he could not before. In normal childhood development, a child watches other people, especially his/her parents, for clues about what sort of behavior and responses are appropriate. I see William doing this now and everyday he is learning from what he observes.
I consider the program at The Sensory Center to be a core treatment program for people who face the same challenges as my son has. It has been an incredibly important part of William’s recovery and I am overjoyed by the progress he has made. Thank you.
George Mead, Oregon