iLs & Occupational Therapy
iLs is natural fit for OT practices, whether in clinic, school or home environments. In addition to enhancing an OT’s sensory integration work, it is also an effective rehab tool and is easily customized for different therapeutic objectives, program lengths, and client needs. READ ILS RESEARCH
How do I integrate iLs into my OT practice?
iLs is a flexible therapy which is done simultaneously with OT activities in clinic, school and/or home.
- The 3 components of iLs: auditory, motor and interactive language – can be used together or independently, depending upon the situation and the needs of the individual. Most pediatric OTs use the iLs auditory component simultaneous to their OT gym activities, and take specific pieces of the iLs motor program as needed.
- Clinic Programs: Most clinic programs involve 15-40 sessions, with each session being 30-60 minutes in length.
- Clinic + Home Programs: To supplement the frequency of clinic therapy, iLs has a rental program for your clients. iLs handles the equipment, shipping, etc. and you oversee the therapy. More frequency = better results.
- School Programs: iLs can be combined with OT in a school setting very effectively. School personnel can be trained to conduct iLs sessions in the absence of the OT so that the frequency required for improvement may occur. For specifics on school implementation please see the Educator page or contact iLs.
“I have always seen gains in my clients when their sensory-motor interventions are supported with “listening therapy;” however, I can unequivocally say that iLs stands far above the rest in terms of measurable, functional gains with a wide variety of clients. Not only have we seen consistent improvements in listening and specific auditory processing skills, we have also witnessed changes in motor components such as balance and coordination, improved overall organization and regulatory skills as well as gains in academics such as decoding and reading comprehension. Parents have even reported spontaneous changes in articulation. I am very excited about the amazing changes we are seeing in our clients since we have implemented iLs into our intensive sensory-motor programs.”
Julia Harper, OTR/L
Getting Started
iLs has a global effect on the brain and central nervous system. As a result, it is successfully integrated into a wide variety of programs:
- Watch Intro Videos or Webinar: introductory videos and webinars are available at no charge, live or on-demand
- Sign up for training: training may be taken by distance or live, in dozens of locations throughout the U.S. and Australia – register here
- Purchase equipment: please view our product page to get a close up, and call us to learn more about what’s best for your practice, pricing, etc.
- Professional Development: continue to hone your iLs expertise through specialized webinars, advanced training, case studies, podcasts, iLs Associates Group on Facebook, and more.
- Support: Once trained, iLs Associates may access the iLs Professional Resources pages of the web site for forms, documents and materials related to the marketing and application of iLs in their practice. Additionally, webinars, newsletters, case studies and ongoing professional development courses are available. Equipment and light clinical support are available at no cost via email and telephone. For more detailed case consultation, iLs’ Clinic Director and Advanced Certification trainer, Ron Minson, MD (psychiatrist), is available by appointment.
Who Benefits From iLs?
- Learning Difficulties (e.g. reading, attention, language and auditory processing)
- Autism and other neurodevelopmental challenges
- Sensory Processing
- Cognitive Functions related to stroke/head injury rehabilitation
- Performance Optimization, including processing speed, sleep, creativity and self-expression.
Research
A PILOT STUDY OF INTEGRATED LISTENING SYSTEMS FOR CHILDREN WITH SENSORY PROCESSING PROBLEMS
Sarah A. Schoen, PhD, OTR, Lucy J. Miller, PhD, OTR, and Jillian Sullivan, PhD
Journal of Occupational Therapy: Schools and Early Intervention, 8: 1-21 2015
Summary: This study explores the effects of iLs on individualized parent goals for children with sensory processing impairments. The 40-session iLs program was implemented at home and in clinic over a 3-month period. Important and clinically meaningful gains were achieved by all participants in both home and educationally-related goals. Individualized goal achievement was supported by gains in standardized measures of behavior and adaptive functioning. Changes in physiological arousal (measured by EDA – electrodermal activity) suggest the iLs program is impacting underlying regulation mechanisms that may be contributing to the observed behavioral changes. Behavioral changes included increased relaxation, fewer meltdowns and a generally calmer disposition for participants whose arousal decreased.
ILS HOME PROGRAM AUTISM STUDY
Theresa May Benson, PhD, OTR/L
Abstract: Study on the effect of the iLs home program on 18 children diagnosed with autism The purpose of this multi‐site intervention study was to examine the effectiveness of the iLs Focus home program with 18 children 4 to 8 years of age with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Results found significant gains across multiple subjective and objective outcome measures in areas of social skills and emotional regulation, number and severity of autistic behaviors, and overall functional adaptive behavior skills.
SURVEY OF ILS PROFESSIONALS
Spiral Foundation, Boston, MA
Summary: Survey reviewing therapists’ experience using iLs with over 1300 children on the autism spectrum; results are in 24 outcome categories.
Outcome measure & Perceived Frequency of improvements
| Never | Rarely | Sometimes | Often | Always | Often + Always | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Motor Coordination | 10% | 40% | 47% | 87% | ||
| Self-Regulation | 10% | 46% | 41% | 87% | ||
| Sensory Int/Processing | 7% | 40% | 50% | 90% | ||
| Arousal | 13% | 53% | 28% | 81% | ||
| Attention | 13% | 54% | 33% | 87% | ||
| Transitions | 1% | 10% | 61% | 24% | 85% | |
| Following Verbal Directions | 14% | 47% | 37% | 84% |
Understanding iLs and how it works
iLs is based on the fact that we can change our brain – we can essentially re-wire it through specific and repeated stimulation, a concept known as neuroplasticity. As in building strength and endurance with physical exercise, we can build neurological pathways and synaptic activity at any age. iLs trains for brain/body integration through a staged approach, starting with the fundamentals of sensory integration and then extending through more complex cognitive functions, including language, self-expression and social skills.