#112 - The Listening Program Success Story with a Father Who Doesn't Give Up!

by Jessica Hill, COTA/L & Rachel Harrington, COTA/L, AC July 29, 2020

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The Listening Program Success Story with a Father Who Doesn't Give Up!

We’ve talked about it before and we just can’t stop! The Listening Program is such an incredible program! And today you are going to hear the inspiring story of one family who has pushed through the struggles and found success with The Listening Program. 

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The Listening Program Success Story with a Father Who Doesn't Give Up!

As certified providers of the highly effective Advanced Brain Technologies listening program, we have worked with Randy Williams and his loving family for a remarkable three-month period. With the unwavering support of a skilled coach, they have made incredible strides through the program and achieved a wealth of success, individually and as a family unit.

Their journey has been nothing short of inspiring, and we are honored to be able to share their story. Their unwavering determination to improve and never give up, even in the face of adversity, is a testament to the incredible power of this transformative program.

Meet The Williams Family

The Williams family has been through a lot, with their son Parker facing several health challenges since birth. He was delivered prematurely at 20 weeks and as a result, suffered a brain hemorrhage that led to a diagnosis of Periventricular Leukomalacia (PVL).

The diagnosis of Spastic Hemiplegia Cerebral Palsy followed and, more recently, autism. Parker’s parents knew that he needed extra support to help him cope with his disabilities, and that’s when they found the Advanced Brain Technologies listening program.

They eagerly added this program to Parker’s current therapy schedule. In addition to equine therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy, and occupational therapy sessions every week, the program aims to enhance Parker’s communication skills, fine/gross motor skills, and sensory processing abilities.

Progress Update For Parker

Over the last three months, Parker has made remarkable strides in his development. His focus and attention span have significantly improved, and he has showcased better communication skills and heightened sensory awareness.

The listening program was instrumental in helping children develop social-emotional skills and regulate their emotions. To enhance Parker’s academic performance, Randy and his wife also incorporated the "Zones of Regulation" approach to aid him in developing better focus and emotional regulation skills.

In addition, Parker has achieved the remarkable feat of sleeping through the night without interruption. After some time and effort, he now has a streak of nine consecutive nights where he remained asleep.

With Parker's newfound abilities, he can now navigate his daily life more effectively and establish deeper connections with his loved ones. Their hard work and dedication paid off in the end, and they have now experienced the transformative power of the Advanced Brain Technologies listening program.

Consistency Can Leads to Success

To promote children's development, it's crucial to establish a stable routine while remaining receptive to some degree of flexibility. This applies not only to the listening program but also to other elements of caregiving.

Consistently adhering to a predictable daily schedule helps everyone involved anticipate what’s coming next and plan accordingly. The listening program provides structure and simplification, which helps track progress and identify areas where your child can develop independence by engaging in preferred activities.

Randy's primary drive is to leave no stone unturned in his efforts to secure Parker's success, without any potential regret of not doing enough. However, he realizes that there may be circumstances where he cannot accomplish everything.

In such scenarios, he recognizes the significance of exhibiting grace and acknowledging the acceptance of limitations. One of the ways to sustain motivation within the program is by acknowledging even the slightest improvements made.

At first, they had to closely monitor Parker's impulsive behavior around his brother. However, things have taken a positive turn. Parker now actively participates in playful activities with his brother, which has resulted in a much deeper and more meaningful relationship between them, rather than just coexisting in the same space.

Useful Tips for Families to Consider

If you find yourself in a similar situation, here are some helpful tips that the Williams family has used to efficiently manage their family's schedule and discover new activities:

  • Build a network of families with children who have disabilities to exchange resources and provide mutual support.
  • Maintain a positive attitude as much as possible.
  • Be open to experimentation and maintain consistency in your efforts.
  • Regularly incorporating a sensory diet and following a sensory schedule.
  • Practice reinforcing your emotional state with descriptive language, rather than simply relying on blanket terms like 'green zone' or 'frustrated'.
  • Provide children with opportunities to make choices, which can help develop their problem-solving skills and encourage independent thinking in public settings.
  • Adjusting the pace and style of communication by speaking slowly, and using non-verbal cues such as tapping on the shoulder to engage with the child during conversation.

Final Thoughts

Having people that you trust as part of your team and being able to hold you accountable has been a huge benefit of the listening program. While there is no "one-size-fits-all" approach to managing challenges, the program has proven to be instrumental in helping children like Parker reach their full potential.

Randy and his family are an example of what is possible for parents who are willing to work hard and never give up on their child’s journey. We hope their story helps other families find the courage and strength to take on similar journeys.

With the right approach, support, and resilience, there is no limit to what your family can achieve. We hope you enjoyed reading about Randy’s family journey with the Advanced Brain Technologies listening program, and that it inspired you to explore more possibilities for

 

 

BORING, BUT NECESSARY LEGAL DISCLAIMERS

While we make every effort to share correct information, we are still learning. We will double check all of our facts but realize that medicine is a constantly changing science and art. One doctor / therapist may have a different way of doing things from another. We are simply presenting our views and opinions on how to address common sensory challenges, health related difficulties and what we have found to be beneficial that will be as evidenced based as possible. By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or your children. Consult your child’s pediatrician/ therapist for any medical issues that he or she may be having. This entire disclaimer also applies to any guests or contributors to the podcast. Under no circumstances shall Rachel Harrington, Harkla, Jessica Hill, or any guests or contributors to the podcast, as well as any employees, associates, or affiliates of Harkla, be responsible for damages arising from use of the podcast.

Keep in mind that we may receive commissions when you click our links and make purchases. However, this does not impact our reviews and comparisons. We try our best to keep things fair and balanced, in order to help you make the best choice for you.


This podcast should not be used in any legal capacity whatsoever, including but not limited to establishing “standard of care” in a legal sense or as a basis for expert witness testimony. No guarantee is given regarding the accuracy of any statements or opinions made on the podcast.

Jessica Hill, COTA/L & Rachel Harrington, COTA/L, AC
Jessica Hill, COTA/L & Rachel Harrington, COTA/L, AC

Rachel Harrington, COTA/l, AC, CPRCS, and Jessica Hill, COTA/L, CPRCS are Harkla's in-house Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants (COTA) and Certified Primitive Reflex Clinical Specialists. They have been working with children for over 6 years in outpatient settings. They specialize in creating easy-to-digest, actionable content that families can use to help their child's progress at home. Jessica and Rachel are the in-house experts, content creators, and podcast hosts at Harkla! To learn more about Jessica and Rachel, visit the Harkla About Us Page. Make sure to listen to their weekly podcast, All Things Sensory by Harkla for actionable, fun advice on child development.


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