Auditory integration therapy
AIT was designed to normalize hearing. Distortions in hearing can sometimes be a significant contributing factor
for individuals diagnosed with autism or pervasive developmental disorders (PDD). Developed by Dr. Guy Berard, an
Ear, Nose, and Throat doctor, Auditory Integration Therapy is meant to correct distortions in hearing,
hypersensitive hearing, and difficulty processing sensory input that causes pain and confusion in people suffering
from ASDs.
Auditory Integration Therapy takes place over 20 30-minute sessions. Before these sessions begin, the child’s
hearing is evaluated to determine which frequencies cause “auditory peaks,” which denote sounds that the child is
overly sensitive to. Then, during the 30-minute sessions, the child listens to sounds filtered through a machine
that randomly chooses both high and low frequencies.
It filters out or reduces the volume of the sounds that cause auditory peaks. Upon completion of the first five
hours of therapy, the child is re-tested to determine if the auditory peaks are still occurring and if new peaks
have appeared. The therapy is then modified to accommodate any changes. Once all of the sessions have been
completed, the child is tested a third time. This test should show that the auditory peaks have disappeared.
Dr. Berard does state that children may experience behavioral changes during the days over which the therapy is
occurring. Changes include agitation, hyperactivity, and mood swings. There is no definitive explanation for these
changes, but therapists have noted that it could be the therapy itself or dietary changes since parents sometimes
ply their children with junk food to get them to sit for the therapy.
Advocates of Auditory Integration Therapy state that children experience the following benefits:
• A lessening of over-sensitive hearing
• Better control of vocal volume
• Better interaction and expressiveness
• Increased eye contact
• Better understanding of language and its use
• More age appropriate behavior
• Better performance in school
• Better social skills
• Increased comfort level
• Less easily distracted
• Better self-esteem
Numerous studies surrounding this therapy have been conducted. In 1997, Link studied three boys with autism who
underwent Auditory Integration Therapy. No changes to over-sensitive hearing were found and very few benefits to
behavior and cognitive skills were noticed.
In a 1995 study by Rimland and Edelson, 18 children (ages 4 – 21) were given a multiple criteria assessment over
three months. The children who participated in the experiment showed a decrease in behavioral problems as opposed
to the children in the control group who did not. These behaviors were not, however, related to sound
hypersensitivity or in the areas of comprehension and language.
Auditory integration therapy
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