Can Sensory Issues Worsen Autism In Children?

Can Sensory Issues Worsen Autism In Children?

When parenting a highly sensitive child with autism, it is important to recognize the impact of sensory issues. Many of the hard-to-understand behaviors exhibited by these sensitive children are often a result of sensory overload.

How often has this happened?

Unhappy Boy
  • Your child is super sensitive and anxious to the point where they won’t allow anyone at daycare to touch them.
  • One minute you have a nice, calm child, and the next minute, he’s slamming doors and screaming because something made him angry.
  • On bad days, your child spends most of the day screaming and yelling “no” even when they mean “yes.”
  • You’ve tried rewards and consequences, and other methods, but nothing seems to work and your child’s behavior is becoming increasingly difficult to deal with.

If you answered YES, your child might be struggling with sensory sensitivity, especially sound sensitivity.

Soon, I will introduce one of the most effective tools – the Safe and Sound Protocol – that can help improve your child’s drastic behavior and mood swings without any tears or side effects.

But first, let me share what neuroscientists have discovered about children with autism.

For years, medical professionals and researchers had been working hard to understand autism. While they haven’t found a single gene that causes autism, they did discover that individuals with autism have a highly activated sympathetic nervous system.

Essentially, this means that their nervous system is in a chronically stressed or depressed state, which can lead to symptoms:

  • Anxiety
  • Agitation
  • Outbursts of anger and violence
  • Disconnection
  • Shutdown
  • Depression
  • Restlessness
  • Rigidity
  • Panic
  • Withdrawal
  • Rigidity
  • Hypervigilance – a state of increased alertness and awareness of potential threats
The Stress System

Researchers have attempted to determine what causes individuals with autism to experience chronic stress or even depression.

Then came the neurodiversity movement. The neurodiversity movement regards individuals with autism, ADHD, and other cognitive or neurological impairments as people with normal human differences in behavior.

neurodiversity

This approach has been embraced by many parent coaches, professionals, and organizations in the mental health industry, and may have provided comfort to parents and families of those with autism spectrum disorder and ADHD.

Unfortunately, it has also buried the efforts of serious seekers for the causes and solutions to autism or ADHD.

Whether you fully embrace neurodiversity or not, one thing is clear: families and individuals with autism and ADHD are still suffering, and the need to find the most effective way to relieve their loved ones’ symptoms remains.

Standard Approaches Often Just Don’t Work

Children with sensory sensitivity often experience stress, anxiety, and fear in response to everyday sensory stimuli.

These stimuli can include loud noises, bright lights, strong smells, specific tastes, and certain textures.

5 sense
5 sense
Due to your child’s high sensitivity, they may be more susceptible to autism or ADHD. This is because the brain’s primary function is to keep us safe, and it relies on our sensory organs to detect potential threats, acting like a built-in 24-hour surveillance camera. Whenever it detects any indication of danger, it alerts our brain to prepare for a fight, flight, or freeze response.

However, many parents are unaware of the extent of stress and anxiety their child is experiencing.

They may not understand the causes of their child’s emotional disturbances, which means the child continues to be exposed to triggers on a daily basis. This can result in extreme autism meltdowns and shutdown behaviours, such as:

  • Hiding
  • Avoiding eye contact
  • Yelling
  • Hitting
  • Being hyperactive
  • Fidgeting
  • Having anger outbursts
  • Refusing to be touched
  • Suddenly plugging their ears
  • Kicking
  • Throwing objects
  • Impulsive
  • Experiencing sudden mood changes

Sensory sensitivity and anxiety are significant problems for highly sensitive children with autism.

Additionally, chronic anxiety diminishes attention, cognition, and memory, all of which are essential functions for learning.

This is why conventional approaches to autism based on cognition often do not work for your child.

 

learning pyramid

 

The Learning pyramid (see image above) illustrates that the brain develops from the bottom, beginning with sensory organs, and advances to learning and cognition at the top.

As a result, if your child is experiencing difficulties with sensory issues at the foundational level, therapy and learning focused on cognition will not be effective.

To make meaningful progress, you need to help reduce your child’s sensory sensitivity and anxiety, especially their sound sensitivity, as it is the most significant aspect of sensory sensitivity.

 

Introducing The Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP)

The Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) is a safe and effective intervention that helps reduce sound sensitivity and anxiety.

Boy listening to music

The SSP has a proven track record of helping individuals with autism or ADHD by addressing sound sensitivity and reducing difficult behaviors. This has led to improved social communication abilities and overall well-being.

The best part about the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) is that it’s easy for your child to use. All they have to do is listen to happy children’s songs while doing their favorite activities at home. As they enjoy the music, their nervous system will work hard subconsciously to promote a natural state of well-being in their brain. The SSP creates an enjoyable experience that has no side-effects.

Here is a summary of the benefits of the Safe and Sound Protocol:

  • Decreased sensitivity to sound and other stimuli.
  • Reduced stress and anxiety, leading to increased feelings of calm and safety, and improving mood and behavior.
  • Assistance with smoother transitions between activities or environments.
  • Improved eye contact and social connections.
  • Reduced resistance to leaving the house.
  • Laying the groundwork for future speech and learning abilities.
  • Overall better health and well-being (as the vagus nerve is also stimulated by these activities).
  • Easy and enjoyable for children to use.
  • Perfect for non-verbal children as they don’t need to talk.
  • Can be done at home, so there’s no need to travel to a therapist’s office.

Choose Sensitivity Care with confidence!

If your child has autism or ADHD, they may also experience other health issues such as:
  • picky eating
  • allergies or food sensitivities
  • poor gut function, etc.

As the gut and brain are in constant communication with one another, an imbalance and inflammation in your child’s body affects the production of hormones and neurotransmitters that contribute to their brain function. This, in turn, can worsen symptoms of autism. 

Woman listening to Music

When you work with Sensitivity Care, you will not only receive the Safe and Sound Protocol, but also have the option to receive complementary nutritional support to transform your child’s health.

 

Here is a summary of the benefits of working with Sensitivity Care:

  • Addresses sensory issues especially  extreme sensitivity to noise.
  • Perfect for non-verbal children as they don’t need to talk.
  • Can be done at home, so there’s no need to travel to a therapist’s office.
  • Lays the groundwork for other therapies or learning later on.
  • Provides bonding time with caregivers.
  • Shows progress from the very first week.
  • Improve digestion
  • Reduce- food sensitivity, allergy, and picky eating
  • Strengthen- gastrointestinal functions – getting regularity
  • Enhance energy and mood

Interested in working with me directly? Check out my coaching.

To learn how to reduce noise sensitivity and anxiety, sign up for the webinar waitlist below. You will be the first to be notified when it takes place.

The Ultimate Guide to the Safe and Sound Protocol

The Ultimate Guide to the Safe and Sound Protocol

Research has shown that the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) is an effective treatment for a variety of mental health issues, including sensory processing disorder, autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, Asperger’s syndrome, anxiety, depression, addiction and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

This article serves as your ultimate guide to everything related to SSP, including how it works and its potential benefits. Additionally, it provides information on how to find a qualified SSP provider and much more.

Table of Contents

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What is the Safe and Sound Protocol?

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Benefits of the Safe and Sound Protocol

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How the Safe and Sound Protocol Works

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The Creator's Story Behind the Safe and Sound Protocol

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Who Can Benefit From the Safe and Sound Protocol?

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How Long Does It Take to See the Benefits?

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How Much Does It Cost?

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Is It Covered By Insurance?

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What kind of music is available for the Safe and Sound Protocol?

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Are there any side effects of the Safe and Sound Protocol?

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How to Receive the Safe and Sound Protocol

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How to Find a Qualified SSP Provider

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Choose Sensitivity Care with confidence!

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Conclusion

What is the Safe and Sound Protocol?

 

The Safe and Sound Protocol is a scientifically-proven method of sound therapy that can help rebalance the nervous system. It has the power to regulate the nervous system, bringing it to a natural state of well-being. After using the SSP, clients can experience inner calm and clarity, improve overall health conditions, enhance learning capabilities, and gain access to higher thinking abilities.

Benefits of the Safe and Sound Protocol

 

The benefits of the Safe and Sound Protocol are numerous and have been experienced by many individuals, including:

  • Improved emotional regulation, which reduces stress and anxiety
  • Increased resilience, allowing individuals to better cope with external triggers and worries about the future
  • Enhanced learning capabilities, leading to better academic and professional performance
  • Greater control over reactions and emotions, allowing individuals to manage their mental health better
  • Suitable for children and adults, this therapy is safe and has no known side effects. However, it is essential to follow the instructions of a qualified SSP provider to avoid overstimulation.
  • Remote delivery is available, so there’s no need to make an appointment or fight with traffic. You can enjoy the music in the comfort of your own home.
  • Minimal willpower is required for SSP. All you need to do is pick a time when you feel relatively good, put on your headphones, and enjoy the music. Your nervous system will do all the work for you subconsciously.

How the Safe and Sound Protocol Works

 

The Safe and Sound Protocol is a therapy that utilizes music’s sound, rhythm, and vibration to stimulate specific neural networks in the brain. This can aid in transitioning the autonomic nervous system from a state of stress (fight, flight, or freeze) to a balanced and healthy state. It’s comparable to changing a traffic light from red or amber to green.

The Creator’s Story Behind the Safe and Sound Protocol

The protocol was developed by Dr Stephen Porges, a distinguished psychiatrist neuroscientist, and researcher who has spent over four decades studying the mechanisms of the autonomic nervous system. He observed that certain types of music could have a calming effect on the nervous system and began to explore how this could be used to help people with various conditions.

Who Can Benefit From the Safe and Sound Protocol?

 

The Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) is a proven solution that has repeatedly demonstrated its effectiveness in helping individuals who struggle with:

  • Anxiety
  • Asperger Syndrome
  • Eating disorders
  • Learning disorders (ADHD, ADD, etc.)
  • Physical or chronic illness
  • Relationship or family difficulties
  • Sexual or gender identity issues
  • Social difficulties
  • Trauma and PTSD
  • Addiction
  • Depression
  • Grief
  • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
  • Pregnancy, prenatal, and postpartum issues
  • Sensory challenges (Sensory Sensitivity, Autism, etc. Asperger Syndrome)
  • Sleep or insomnia
  • Stress management
  • Traumatic brain injury (TBI)

 How Long Does It Take to See the Benefits?

 

The Safe and Sound Protocol requires a total listening time of 5 hours. Your provider will assist you in determining the optimal daily duration( 10 – 30minutes)  based on your sensitivity and nervous system state.

The best part is that you don’t have to wait until the program is completed to experience the benefits. Many individuals have reported an improved mood, better sleep, and enhanced emotional regulation after just a few sessions of SSP.

How Much Does It Cost?

 

The SSP (Sound Sensitivity Program) costs vary depending on the provider. However, it is reported that the average cost of SSP delivery ranges between $800 USD to $1500 USD.

Is It Covered by Insurance?

 

Insurance coverage may vary depending on the insurance company and provider, so you should check with individual providers.

What kind of music is available for the Safe and Sound Protocol?

 

As of this writing, four types of music are available to suit individual preferences: classicals, adult pop, and children’s songs.

Are there any side effects of the Safe and Sound Protocol?

 

The Safe and Sound Protocol is generally considered safe and has no known side effects. However, some clients might experience mild discomfort around their ears, such as stinging, twitching, or a heated sensation while listening to the music. These are often temporary and quickly disappear when the session is over. In fact, they can be a sign that the music is really working out your ear muscles, similar to how your muscles might feel sore when starting an exercise program.

How to Receive the Safe and Sound Protocol

There are two options available:

  • Remote delivery via online video call:

If you prefer to work from the comfort of your home, this option is for you. An SSP provider will meet you online and provide the necessary information, such as downloading the SSP music onto your phone, a headphone guide, filling out an intake form, and a detailed guide on how to set up an optimal listening environment at your home.

  • In person via in-clinic or office:

You can make an appointment, visit, and listen to the SSP music in a clinic or office under the supervision of a qualified provider.

How to Find a Qualified SSP Provider

To find a qualified Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) provider, you can search or visit Integrated Listening’s website (https://integratedlistening.com/). Click on the “Find a Provider” tab under “Family + Individuals” and fill out the provided form to locate a provider.

Since the Safe and Sound Protocol can be used in a wide range of areas, you have a choice of providers who can help with your primary concerns and issues. Each SSP provider has their own specialities and brings other skill sets, such as PTSD or trauma specialists, pain management, addiction, depression or learning difficulties, and relationship difficulties.

If you are a highly sensitive person with sensory issues or have Autism and ADHD and want to receive remote delivery, I am here to help you with the Safe and Sound Protocol and nutrition.

Integrated Listening

Choose Sensitivity Care with Confidence!

 

If your child with autism or ADHD is struggling with extreme sensory issues, it is likely that there are other health issues involved. These can include:

  • Brain fog
  • Allergies, food sensitivity
  • Skin issues
  • poor gut function and elimination, etc.

As the gut and brain are in constant communication, an imbalance and inflammation in your body affect the production of hormones and neurotransmitters that contribute to your brain function. This, in turn, can worsen your current symptoms.

Because of this understanding, Sensitivity Care addresses the nervous system and the connection to the gut and inflammation, ensuring that you or your loved one’s transformation lasts much longer.

You’ll receive safe and effective protocol services when working with Sensitivity Care. Additionally, you have the option to receive complementary nutritional support to transform your child’s health.

Brain-Gut Connection
The Brain – Gut Connection

Final Thoughts

 

The Safe and Sound Protocol is a safe and non-invasive sound therapy that can help individuals rebalance their nervous system and improve their overall well-being.

It has been proven effective in treating a wide range of mental health issues, including including sensory processing disorder, autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, Asperger’s syndrome, anxiety, depression, addiction and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

It is available remotely and can be done in the comfort of your own home, making it a convenient and accessible treatment option.