LuLu has started a daily neurodevelopmental/sensory integration program called Learning Breakthrough. Billed as a powerful at-home learning aid, we chose this particular program at this juncture for a not very scientific reason: a school we’re interested in for LuLu was offering it this summer at a very reasonable price. So we thought it was a good way to get to know the school personnel better.

Learning Breakthrough is based on solid sensory integration theory and uses balance and stimulation of the vestibular system as its cornerstone. Here’s how they describe it:

Simply put, Learning Breakthrough™ is a form of “balance remediation training”. Clients receive very specialized and custom-manufactured equipment along with a program of specific activities to be performed twice daily. These activities are done in a clinic setting, academic setting or in the home and are greatly aided by a DVD video that shows exactly how to perform each and every "exercise" required. Balance therapy hinges on the relationship between the vestibular system (balance), the cerebelum and several other key functional areas in the brain and how, by refining the relationship (integration) between these brain centers (via neuropathways), learning and cognitive function can be improved at a "root" level. In the parlance of Occupational Therapists, it is a program of balance, sensory processing and sensory integration activities designed to help better organize the way the brain processes information.

The exercises are all done on a balance board, where the child has to maintain his/her balance while catching bean bags, hitting balls, and throwing balls at targets.

The theory behind all this is based on balance being the central component with spatial awareness, integrating the two hemispheres, multi-sensory integration, and improvement in proprioception as being other important theoretical components.

In our case, the spatial awareness and proprioception are big issues. I noticed it a great deal walking down the streets of Philadelphia with LuLu. She literally could not walk in synchrony with me and keep a normal body space. She was either very far away and stretching our arms or was more likely running into me. She was not doing it intentionally, so I became very aware about how much she just doesn’t have spatial awareness. Couple this was the fact that unexpected bodily contact heightens her sensitivities and can make her irritable and it’s no wonder she was agitated through much of our trip. I was agitated, too, because it’s very hard to walk along side someone like this.

So far, where LuLu is concerned, she likes the exercises. She finds them difficult (and I’ve been told they get more difficult), but has handled her frustration well. She’s been very calm this week compared to last week. But that could also be attributed to the fact that we’re no longer on vacation or that we increased her Strattera a few days ago.

I ran across this statement on the Learning Breakthrough website:

Social scientists have found a significant correlation between attentional issues, academic abilities and behavior. Improvements in attention and success in the academic arena provide for nearly universal reports of "better behavior".

All though I'm not a social scientist, I agree there is a correlation. This is an important concept that parents of special kids need to understand. While I believe that much of LuLu’s behavioral difficulties are rooted in her trauma issues, there is a component of frustration that is linked to her attentional issues and impulsivity. I try to imagine what it must be like inside of LuLu’s head, with impaired auditory and visual processing and a lack of spatial awareness. With a sensitivity to loud noises that then triggers her highly overactive emotional responses.

Anything that makes it easier to attend, focus and be less impulsive has to help “lessen the problems in the bucket” and reduce frustration. And the sense of accomplishment at doing the exercises and getting better each day doesn’t hurt either.

Will Learning Breakthrough be a wildly successful intervention for us? It’s way too early to tell. But it can’t hurt and gives LuLu something to do for the summer and to feel like she’s accomplishing something.

Here are some other neurodevelopmental/sensory integration interventions to explore:

The Dore Method (based on theories from Learning Breakthrough).

Brain Gym

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