Tomatis Method Success Stories
Good listening is vital to living a full and desirable life. As communication becomes more challenging—at work and at home or where both occur—good listening influences your ability to take in and interpret information that is not distorted and to connect with those around you. It allows you to stay present and joyful in your own and your family’s lives. The
Tomatis® Method supports listening where it begins—in your ears.
People of all ages from across the United States
have benefited from improving their listening with Len Young, a Level 4 Tomatis® Consultant. Below are a few of stories of Len’s clients from across the Sun states. Read many more personal experiences from Arizona, South Carolina, California and other states to clarify possible results you can achieve Success Stories.
Meet Jonathan, 2 Years Old
Jonathan’s parents called just after their son turned two years old and had just been diagnosed with autism. Their son had a severe speech delay. He had only 7-9 words. They asked if Solisten would help their son while they continued to give him speech, OT and vitamin therapies and a specialized diet. This is a report from his mother a year after he started with Tomatis.
It's been a while since I've been in contact, and I just wanted to send a quick note to touch base and give you some progress updates on Jonathan.
We did his first 2-week intensive in late Dec/early Jan, then his second 2-week intensive in Feb, and finally a "booster" of 8 days in late Mar/early April. Since that time, Jon has more than reached age-appropriate speech, both receptive and expressive. He talks non-stop now! Literally non-stop -no kidding. I can pretty much always tell where in the house he is because I can hear him talking, even to himself if no one else is around. He was evaluated back in June by early intervention since he was scheduled to "graduate" out of the infant/toddler services and into the public school system at his 3rd birthday, in October. The results of his evaluation were that he is in the average ranges for all types of communication and does not qualify for any early intervention services at all. We had mixed feelings about this, but ultimately decided that it's a great situation to be in! Both of his speech therapists (one of whom he can no longer see since he turned 3) have consistently reported to me over the past six months that his progress has been amazing, and they both felt that he was even advanced in some areas of speech. When we started Tomatis, Jon was completely nonverbal and in the 1st percentile for speech, and by June (and actually earlier, but June was his eval date), he'd reached an age appropriate ability level. He can say his ABCs, count from 1 - 15, has a VERY extensive vocabulary, asks questions, and speaks not only in full sentences but, indeed, in paragraphs which include not only basic statements, but also asking and answering questions, logic/reasoning, and the full range of speech that a toddler can be expected to have mastered at his age.
At this point, we are monitoring his social and pragmatic skills more than just speech. All in all, he continues to make steady progress, and we are very joyful in watching his recovery from ASD unfold. While we've done/are doing so many interventions for him, we continue to believe that Tomatis has played a significant role in his remarkable progress, and I wanted to share that with you along with our thanks for making such a difference in his path. I've recommended many fellow parents of ASD kiddos to Listening Clarity, so if you have received more and more inquiries from parents (some in other countries), that may be part of the reason. :) I hope you don't mind. It's hard not to share something with others that we believe has been hugely beneficial for our son.
Meet Cindy, 9 Years Old
Nine-year old Cindy had been diagnosed with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) at an early age. She struggled at school, and she was increasingly struggling with daily life. She was reluctant to speak, using short phrases and sentences when she did. She kept her emotions and feelings inside, finding it difficult to connect even with family and friends.
Now, Cindy excels at school. Reading, reasoning, taking directions, focusing, and paying attention all come easily. She also has blossomed. Her mother reports that she is a new person with a delightful sense of humor and several close friends.
(Years later in high school)
“I look forward to school. It’s a great adventure and a place to make new friends. I never realized that everyone heard these clear words before. I thought jumbled, loud sound was how everyone hears. I was always so tired of trying when my teachers, and even my family, thought I was never trying; but not anymore. It’s so good to feel comfortable going to school instead of feeling scared.”
Meet Mary, 48 Years Old
Mary was a 48-year-old empty-nester who was having difficulty adjusting to her new, less structured life as well as the challenges of physical changes brought on by menopause. She found herself experiencing emotions that were new to her—an unspecified restlessness, periods of forgetfulness, and a sense of indecision, even on matters that were of little consequence. Mary wanted to do something for herself, but found she couldn’t focus or decide on a course of action because of the constant “mind chatter” she was experiencing. She felt drawn in many directions, but unable to decide upon the one that would be best for her. Mary signed up for the Tomatis program because she wanted to regain the focus and clear thinking she once had. She hoped that she would be able to discern a new direction for herself, one that would lead to a renewed interest in life. And it worked! Mary reports that her thinking is clearer, she reaches decisions more easily, and she understands directions without difficulty. She no longer struggles to find the right words. She has returned to school and is working towards a doctorate in philosophy.
“I am freshly motivated to question and query, to learn and create newness in my life. Every day is an adventure and I look forward to what it might bring. It’s like starting with a clean slate and being able to draw anything I want to draw!”
Meet Brandon, 11 Years Old
Brandon was a bright 11-year-old who struggled in school. His parents always thought he was capable of accomplishing more, and they watched with increasing concern as each school year became more difficult than the one before. By the time they signed Brandon up for the Tomatis Method, he was routinely spending three or more hours per night on homework and only earning average or below grades. Brandon’s self-esteem was low, and his parents noticed that he was having trouble in social situations. They worried that middle school would prove even more difficult for him and his self-confidence would take a greater hit as he moved into adolescence.
After completing the Tomatis Method program, Brandon has acquired both new abilities and new confidence. He now spends less than two hours per night on homework, and his grades have improved. He has taken on leadership roles at school, which he is enjoying, and he now has time for sports and friends.
“I have friends who want to play after school. And I’ve joined the soccer team. I never realized how great it is to be part of a team!”
Meet Heidi, 55 Years Old
Heidi was a 55-year-old teacher who had been diagnosed with borderline dyslexia. All her life she had struggled with learning and language, putting an enormous amount of effort into achieving those goals she set for herself. She struggled to keep conversations clear and organized in her mind and to retain the information she took in. But her struggles took a toll. She had developed a sour view of life as she undertook one difficult task after another, and ultimately she realized that her mood swings were affecting not only herself, but her family.
Life is different for Heidi after completing her the Tomatis Method. She functions better because she can make decisions and understand instructions more easily; she also finds herself enjoying reading as she no longer has to struggle to comprehend the material. Heidi also gained a new attitude–she is happier, more positive, and more motivated to pursue personal interests. She reports a new sense of energy with far fewer mood swings. Heidi’s family says, “She always wears a smile.”
“I hear words better…know what my children and husband are saying. And I feel clearer in my thinking. Life is easier.”
Meet Molly, 14 Years Old
Molly has dyslexia and after 60 hours of the Tomatis Method, her mother writes about the changes Molly is showing:
“She (Molly) is standing up straighter and holding her head up more (confident?). My sister just commented yesterday “Molly has really gotten tall”…that’s when I noticed her posture! She does look older but I think that has a lot to do with the fact she gets up, showers, primps, and cares about her appearance. She has even started wearing a little mascara…yikes!”
Molly’s energy has “absolutely improved! She gets up in the morning without any nagging. No more yelling up the stairs 3-4 times to get up! In fact, she is getting up before us on some mornings…never before!
“Molly verbalizes that the program has helped in the classroom. She’s not sure how but believes it has helped her focus and pay better attention. Her math teacher states “she is more confident in the classroom and answering questions out loud in class”. Her last test grade was a 76% which Mary said was good compared to the rest of her class. Her history teacher states “she appears to be more focused and engages in classroom discussion…she doesn’t have that lost look on her face”. Her last grade was 96% on a project that I did help her research info but she assimilated it and actually typed and put together (the project) on a poster board. She also is ahead on working on her exam study guide in history (without any nagging at all!). Her last English test grade on Tom Sawyer was a 56%. They have been reading the book for weeks so I’m not sure how much of it she really absorbed in the beginning before Solisten. I have not heard from her teacher on what happened on the test. Other teachers have only commented verbally that she is more engaged in class and appears to be paying attention. All her 2nd quarter grades have gone up 10 points (except history) since completing the first (listening) session.
“Molly appears much happier. She is less likely to get tearful when I make her complete a missing assignment, ask her about a poor grade, or have to punish her for something (recently was grounded for inappropriate language on Facebook). She had to stay home last night when we all went to the basketball game to complete an English project. She left all her research material at school and I refused to go back to school so she had to recreate all the research and complete the project. A 30-minute project with her research ended up taking 3 hrs. She just gets started on the assignment and/or accepts the punishment and sucks it up. She also seems to understand the meaning of consequences now.” This is a big change, she is taking responsibility.
Meet Frances, 52 Years Old
Frances seemed to have it all. She had an active and rewarding life with her busy teenagers, her service on several high-exposure community boards, and her successful husband who wanted her to travel with him whenever possible. But Frances had been shy all her life and wished she could relax and enjoy the large personal and professional gatherings that she forced herself to attend. Preferring small, intimate parties, she appeared quiet and withdrawn to those who did not know her well.
After the Tomatis Method, Frances found the social ease she desired. Now comfortable in crowds, she is talkative and outgoing for the first time in her life. She says she feels a new joyfulness in life, and her marriage has taken on a newness and vitality that pleases both her and her husband.
“I see newness in my life, my marriage, my family.”