Johansen Individualised Auditory Stimulation (JIAS)

JIAS is a home based Sound Therapy programme which involves listening to specially recorded music for 10 minutes a day. The music is specifically designed to gently change and organise auditory processing by stimulating the nerve pathways into and within the brain in particular the areas dealing with language. It addresses underlying auditory processing which helps noticing discrimination and organisation of the detail of sound.

Various forms of brain scanning have shown that this stimulation produces increased numbers of connectors in the form of dendrites and synapses. Connections within the language centres therefore speed up and are made considerably more efficient with the result that the processing of language is more efficient.

Concentration and understanding improves as information is dealt with more quickly and does not swamp the child in the way it did before. More information is able to be dealt with at a time. Literacy skills (reading and spelling) are often seen to improve as the child becomes more proficient at analysing the sound structure of words.

JIAS can be of benefit to children, adolescents and adults with a variety of speech and/or language difficulties, both spoken and written (including specific learning difficulties and dyslexia). Children for whom reading and spelling are problematic often find it easier to analyse the sound structure of words, following the Johansen Sound Therapy programme. Together with good targeted teaching this can help their literacy skills significantly.

Sound therapy can contribute in improvements in:

  • Listening
  • Attention
  • Concentration
  • Understanding
  • Learning
  • Reading
  • Spelling
  • Social Skills
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Learning to Listen Well

Even with normal hearing, a child's ability to listen well and process what they hear maybe disorganised for different reasons, including:

  • Inconsistent early hearing because of ear infections or Glue Ear
  • Poor attention
  • Delayed language development
  • Inherited differences in how they learn (E.g. Dyslexia) 

When listening is difficult, inefficient or inconsistent it may affect the development of:

  • Attention and concentration
  • Understanding spoken language
  • Clear speech
  • Social communication
  • Noticing letter sounds for reading and spelling
  • Confidence and self esteem

What is Involved?

  • The initial assessment includes gathering background information, the use of checklists, standardised tests and audiometry as appropriate for the age and abilities of the individual.
  • An individually customised programme of CDs is listened to for 10 minutes a day over 9-12 months at home. The CDs are customised according to information obtained from individual assessment, including audiometry where appropriate.
  • A review will take place every 6-8 weeks, depending on age of client. This enables assessment on progress and planning of next steps of programme.

How Is It Completed?

  • Listen to the CD for 10 minutes every day
  • Listening at a regular time is very helpful in establishing a good routine
  • Listen in a quiet room
  • Do not eat, drink, talk, watch TV/Video, read or write while listening
  • Try to relax while listening
  • Many children like to listen in bed
  • If attention is a problem colouring, playing peacefully with Lego, simple puzzles or plasticine may help

To see how we can help you please contact us.