O.I. Efimov - Neurologist, Head of Pediatric Neurological Clinic «Prognoz» (St.-Petersburg). E-mail: prefish@ya.ru V.L. Efimova - Ph.D. (Ped.), Speech-language pathologist, Manager of Pediatric Therapy Center "Logoprognoz" (St.-Petersburg). E-mail: prefish@ya.ru V.P. Rozhkov - Ph.D. (Biol.), Leading Research Scientist, I.M.Sechenov Institute of Evolutionary Physiology and Biochemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences (St.-Petersburg). E-mail: vlrozhkov@mail.ru

The relationships of various developmental disorders (autism spectrum disorders, speech and language disorders, specific learning disorders) with the ability of the brain to process auditory information is now discussed in the special literature, as well as the possibility to improve the central processing auditory information via special techniques using electronically modified music. Both Tomatis-method (France) and the method of InTime (USA) are aimed to optimization of auditory processing. By using the method of brainstem auditory evoked responses (BAER) we have shown that children with various language and learning disorders differ from normally developing peers by lengthened BAER inter-peak intervals and, especially, the peak VI latency. The aim of the study was to assess the effect of Tomatis and InTime techniques on the timing of central auditory processing in relation to BAER parameters. We have examined children from 4 to 12 years old with developmental disorders of speech and autism spectrum disorders, 29 of whom have undergone training program Tomatis and 19 have undergone the program InTime. The control group consisted of 47 children. BAERs were recorded using the analyzer Nicolet VikingselectTM (VIASYSHealthscareInc, USA). Tonebursts of 4 kHz (1 ms, 0.5 ms the leading edge, 70 dB HL) were used to record BAER peak VI . The stimuli were presented through headphones TDH39 with a frequency of 10.1 Hz. Children with disorders who took 1-2 cycles of Tomatis or InTime showed significant decrease in BAER VI peak latency that could be associated with an increased synchrony of pulses and acceleration of myelination of the auditory brainstem tracts. Therefore both Tomatis and InTime techniques greatly improve functioning of the auditory subcortical structures, which is very important for auditory processing, that affect development of speech and language as well as enhancement of academic skills.

 

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