Surveys on children have revealed that an estimated 8% of children between the ages of 3 and 17 have social skills issues and problems with communication. These challenges often arise when children are hyper-aroused and inattentive. These physiological states often lead to high auditory sensitivity, stress, and emotional problems. In turn, these socio-emotional processes lead to challenges in socialization and communication
Rewiring the brain’s foundational neurology is designed to move the client away from a state protective vigilance, which is often in the fight-or-flight mode. As auditory sensitivity is reduced, stress also decreases and social resilience and engagement increases. This therapy is ideal for children with attention deficits, hyper-arousal problems, and social, emotional, and communication challenges.
This article will briefly highlight how the Safe Sound Protocol can be used to improve the social, emotional, and physiological state of children experiencing such challenges.
How does the Safe Sound Protocol work?
The Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) is a distinct kind of music therapy. This listening therapy is used to dampen background noise that would otherwise distract or negatively affect the child who is struggling to communicate with others. By resetting the middle ear’s capacity to better perceive sound and reduce sensitivity, Safe Sound Protocol can help improve an individual’s communicative abilities in a range of environments.
This 5-day music-based therapy stimulates a child’s nervous system regulation by challenging and exercising the auditory system with carefully processed music. As the client learns to focus on the frequency range of the therapeutic music, the functioning of their nervous system improves. This includes the Vagus nerve and the Facial nerve, key nerves in controlling the body’s ability to self-sooth and tune out frequencies that are irrelevant while focusing on the human voice.
What are the benefits of Safe Sound Therapy?
The Safe Sound Protocol helps in the regulation and strengthening of the middle ear muscles, which in turn, dampens background noise and leads to an improvement in the perception of human speech. As perception improves and noticing background noise declines, your child’s attention improves significantly. Most children starting their Safe Sound therapy sessions are often in hyper-aroused states that aren’t far from the fight-or-flight state. But by gently stimulating their parasympathetic nervous system (PNS), balance is achieved in their autonomic nervous system (ANS), which is often depicted by improved self-regulation and calmness.
After the successful completion of the Safe and Sound Therapy, children are often able to garner greater focus and attention in their day-to-day lives. For students, this outcome often improves their ability to study and perform well academically.
The Safe Sound Protocol is also a type of “social skills” therapy that helps your child to overcome emotional and social difficulties. By stimulating the Vagus and Facial nerves to better control gestures, vocal intonations, and facial expressions, you might also find that your child experiences a state of relaxation. The overall outcome is a reduction of stress and depression with noticeable changes in improved communication and socialization.
In addition to being beneficial for the health of your child, this therapy can is also easy to use. The Safe Sound Protocol is flexible because you only need an hour per day for five days to complete the program. Additionally, the program can be self–administered at home or in the clinic as long as a medical professional is present.
Best of all? The therapy is non-invasive, meaning that you won’t have to pay for expensive surgeries that could harm your child. It’s not uncommon for parents of children with hearing issues to look into surgical procedures. With Safe Sound Protocol, you never need to worry about expensive options that may not work.
If your child is having attention or communication issues, then it’s worth considering the benefits of the Safe Sound Protocol. Contact Safe Sound Pediatric Therapy when you want to learn more about our therapies today.
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