Sensory Learning

I'd heard that when parents discover their child is differently-abled, they will do anything to help that child.  I now know why.  When I found out that my beautiful son Connor (then three years old) was developmentally delayed with mild autistic tendencies, I too began an in-depth search for answers.  I devoured everything I could find about autism, just to become better informed about how it affected him.  As I became more familiar with his condition, I gained an understanding of how his brain processed his world.  It was different than mine or yours; things we took for granted and learned almost by osmosis, needed to be taught to Connor.  Even though he seemed to have an amazing grasp of most things, I could tell that his cognitive processing abilities were weak.  So, I started looking for a therapy that would work on a "basic" level, something that might reorient his brain and hopefully improves his processing as a result.  I also wanted a method that would condition his body and brain to function more efficiently together.  People told me I was chasing after the impossible.  But I was determined.  I refused to sit back and let outdated literature and opinions influence me into giving up.  Yes, Connor had some challenges.  However, that didn't mean he couldn't be everything he wanted to be.  I wasn't looking for a miracle - just a place to start.

 

I found the approach I was looking for in a method called Sensory Learning.  Sensory Learning is a non-intrusive and, in my opinion, a very innovative system that combines three proven sensory therapies: vision, auditory, and vestibular (motion).  There are nine independently owned Sensory Learning centers in the United States and one in Australia.  I was happy to find out that one center was about 90 minutes from my home in Utah.  I called the Sensory Learning Center LLC in Bountiful, Utah (now in Layton, Utah) and made an appointment for my son to have a sample session.

 

When we arrived for the initial consultation, the Director, Mae Jae Storrs, immediately put me at ease.  The center is in her home so Connor was much more relaxed than he would have been in a doctor's office.  She was incredibly knowledgeable about kids like Connor and totally accepting of him.  She took time to listen to my questions and gave me straightforward answers.  Mae Jae then took a brief history of Connor and tried some different "exercises" with him to measure his receptive understanding.  After completing the history, she took us into the "table room" as Connor referred to it, where the session would take place.

 

In the middle of the room was a table that looked similar to a doctor's examining table.  It had a large wedge cushion for Connor's legs and a small pillow for his head.  Connor was very curious about the table so he climbed right up and lay down.  "Sleep mom," he said with some excitement.  "Sleep on the bed with Connor."  I took this invitation as a good sign and climbed up on the table with him.  Mae Jae then placed a pair of headphones over Connor's ears and let him listen to the music.  Connor started becoming overwhelmed and apprehensive when she next positioned the light box above his head, but Mae Jae spoke lovingly to him, stroked his legs, and never lost her smile.  Mae Jae, noticing my concern, assured me that many children have some reservations at first.  After one or two sessiosn, they usually unwind and become one with the process. 

 

After the first session, things went much easier.  Connor was genuinely excited to go to therapy each morning and participate.  There were even times I heard him giggling, really having fun.  His laughter was music to me.  As I watched changes taking place in Connor, I also noticed changes occurring within me and I felt optimism replace doubt.

 

In between sessions everyday, we went to the park.  It was a great opportunity for Connor to release some energy and a chance for me to really be with and observe him.  The initial changes in Connor were astonishing.  He was no longer afraid to go down the tube slides; his claustrophobia was fading.  He approached kids at the park, asking them to play, rather than waiting for me.  He even began to answer their questions, whereas before he would only respond to adults.

 

I also noticed that Connor understood certain concepts that just weeks before he couldn't grasp.  He suddenly knew how to build with Lincoln Logs instead of using the sticks as conductor's batons.  He began playing with cars, making the "car sound."  He answered questions faster and even his coordination improved.

 

Many of Connor's changes worked in parallel with the light therapy.  It was fascinating to see how the different colored lights affected him.  Magenta opened up and enhanced his already fun personality, blues and greens tended to agitate him but not to any uncontrollable point.  Violet tranquilized Connor and he wanted to sleep or just lie down instead of playing.  I had no idea how powerfully color and light affect the human brain and nervous system before starting with Sensory Learning.