This document provides an overview of Integrated Listening Systems (iLs) and its potential benefits for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). It discusses how iLs uses music and movement in a customizable program to strengthen neural connections and improve sensory processing, language skills, self-regulation, attention, and more. Research studies on iLs show improvements in areas like arousal levels, autism behaviors, auditory processing, and learning readiness. A controlled study at a school found the iLs group improved significantly more in auditory processing and behaviors compared to a control group. The document positions iLs as a treatment that can be used alongside other methods to help individuals with ASD.

1. EFFECTIVE THERAPEUTIC
ENHANCEMENTS TO ABA
Presenter: Debo'rah Merritt, PhD, LPC, NCC, CMIII

2. ASD Diagnosis/Behaviors
Autism Defined –
1. A pervasive developmental disorder characterized by impaired
communication, excessive rigidity, and emotional detachment
2. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex developmental
disability that affect’s a person’s ability to communicate, and
interact with others
3. ASD is defined by a certain set of behaviors and is a “spectrum
condition” that affects individuals differently and to varying
degrees

3. ASD Behaviors
ASD diagnosis is based on analysis of behaviors & their severity:
• Lack of or delay in spoken language
• Repetitive use of language and/or motor mannerisms (e.g., hand-flapping,
twirling objects)
• Little or no eye contact
• Lack of interest in or difficulties in peer relationships
• Lack of spontaneous or make-believe play
• Persistent fixation on parts of objects; Narrow interests
• Difficulty with Executive Functioning, which relates to reasoning and
planning
• Poor motor skills
• Sensory sensitivities

4. Established Behavioral Treatments
• ABA Based Treatment (25-40 hours per
week)
• Lovaas Model or DTT (Discrete Trial
Training)
• DIR (Floortime)
• PRT (Pivotal Response Therapy)
• ESDM (Early Start Denver Model)
• VB (Verbal Behavior Therapy)
• RDI (Relationship Development
Intervention)
• TEACCH (Training & Education of
Autistic & Related Communication
Handicapped Children)
• SCERTS (Social Communication/
Emotional Regulation/ Transactional
Support)

5. Established Biological/Medical Treatments
• Speech & Language Therapy
• Occupational/Physical Therapy
• Psychiatrist/Psychologist
• Neurologist
• Sensory Integration
• Gastroenterologist
• Nutritionist (GFCF)
• Social Skills
• Picture Exchange
Communication System (PECS)
• ‘Listening Therapy’
• Medication

6. Multidisciplinary Approach Recognized
J. McCleery, PhD., Autistica, April, 2013; meta-analysis of 200
published papers on autism
“there is real hope for progress by using interventions based
on the role of motor and ‘motor mirroring’ behavior in
toddlers”
“interventions which focus on motor skills alongside speech
and language intervention are showing promising
preliminary results”

7. Sensory Integration is Key
Mark Wallace, PhD, Vanderbilt Univ., Journal of Neuroscience Jan.,
2014;
“children with autism have difficulty integrating simultaneous
information from eyes and ears”
“There is a huge amount of effort and energy going into the
treatment of children with autism, virtually none of it is based on
a strong empirical foundation tied to sensory function . . . if we
can fix this deficit in early sensory function then maybe we can
see benefits in language and communication and social
interactions.”

8. Foundations of Learning

9. Regulation and Behavior/Learning
Courtesy of the SPD Foundation

10. Which Comes First?
Body Organization
• Fine Motor Control
• Gross Motor Coordination
• Muscle Tone & Reflex Maturation
• Balance & Posture
• Sensory Input: touch, vision, hearing, vestibular,
joint & muscle
Brain Organization

11. Body Then Brain Organization
Brain Organization
• Improved Learning and Social Skills
• Improved Memory & Language
• Increased Speed of Information Processing
• Auditory, Visual, Motor
• Attention & Concentration
• Improved Energy
• Emotional Regulation/Improved Mood
• Body Organization
Behavior Learning Readiness

12. Tools for Body/Brain Organization
Effective Tools –
• Must be complimentary across all therapeutic models and
environments
• Must strengthen foundational systems ie vestibular, autonomic,
auditory, visual, sensory and language
• Must be based in scientific principal and backed by pre-post data
One tool which addresses multiple systems simultaneously is
Integrated Listening Systems (iLs)

13. Developmental Learning Centre Video
https://www.youtube.com/user/IntegratedListening/

14. iLs and Autism
Autism survey conducted by Spiral Foundation*
Conducted by Dr. Teresa May Benson; survey of therapists with collective experiences using iLs with over 1300 children with autism.
See ntegratedlistening.com/research for full report.
OUTCOME MEASURE PERCEIVED FREQUENCY OF IMPROVEMENTS
Never Rarely Sometimes Often + Always
Self-Regulation 10% 87%
Attention 13% 87%
Transitions 1% 10% 85%
Following Verbal Directions 14% 84%

15. iLs Research: ASD & SPD
Arousal Study by Drs. Lucy Jane Miller and Sarah Schoen,
Sensory Processing Disorder Foundation
• Accepted for publication in peer review Journal of Occupational
Therapy, Schools & Early Education
• Used physiological measure (electrodermal response) to gauge
arousal levels in children with sensory processing disorder
• After a 3-month iLs program, both over-responsive and under-
responsive children measured at ‘normal’ levels.

16. iLs Research: ASD & SPD
iLs Home Program Autism Study by Spiral Foundation
• Single subject design, each child compared with their own baseline
• 18 children (ages 4-10) in 4 different locations
• 3-month iLs program
Results: significant reduction in autism-like behaviors and
improvement in social skills, attention and sensory processing

17. Multiple Modalities in One
integratedlistening
Visual Tracking Movement
Exercises
Auditory
Component

18. Dr. Merritt Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hhBLOUMZ-9c

19. iLs Program Structure
• Frequency is important: 3 – 5 times per week, 15 – 60 min per
session, depending upon client
• Complimentary - used alongside or simultaneously with other
methods (e.g. ABA, Floortime, RDI)
• All components of iLs (music, movement, program schedule, and
difficulty levels) are customizable for each client

20. Neuroplasticity
New neural connections are created through stimulation
• we have an estimated 100 billion neurons
• each neuron has thousand of connections
Neurons that fire together, wire together
• iLs sound and movement protocols strengthen the neural
circuitry for sensory processing: auditory, visual, balance
Frequent repetition of the iLs protocol makes these changes solid;
improved processing becomes functionally integrated

21. Music: External & Internal

22. Interactive Language
• Social Skills – engagement, turn taking
• Expressive Language – dialogue,
rhythm/pattern of speech, articulation
• Functional Language – communicating
needs
• Reading – sound sequencing,
fluency, voice inflection
• Auditory Processing –
following commands,
staying on task

23. The Dreampad
• Improve sleep,
both falling asleep
and staying asleep
• Reduce stress
• Readiness for
therapy

24. Tracking Change
• Online portal for logging
sessions and assessing
progress
• Report shows progress over
time in 6 categories
• % improvement as well as
scores by category

25. Kingsway Elementary School
Controlled study K – 5th students with ASD
Auditory Processing Results (SCAN-3:C TEST)
iLs Group: +36 %ile points
Control Group: - 6 %ile points
Behavior (Learning Readiness Evaluation)
iLs Group: + 32% change
Control Group: + 2% change

26. 48%
34%
26%
36%
17%
11%
8%
-8%
2%
-2%
-20%
-10%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
Balance, Gross & Fine
Motor Control
Sensory Social / Emotional Auditory / Language Organization / Attention
/ Cognitive
Learning Readiness Evaluation % Improvement by Category
iLs Group
Control
iLs Intervention vs Control

27. Auditory Processing Results
iLs-a iLs-b iLs-c iLs-d iLs-e ctrl-a ctrl-b ctrl-c ctrl-d
Pre-iLs %ile 19 2 4 30 63 1 0.1 25 3
Post-iLs %ile 50 50 23 73 95 3 1 0.5 0.1
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
%ileRank
SCAN-3:C Auditory Processing Composite
iLs Intervention Group Control Group

28. Kingsway Study Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sM5amBGn9Eo

29. Thank you!
www.integratedlistening.com