How do we help | Integrated Learning Therapy

After a careful assessment procedure (consisting of a comprehensive questionnaire, interview and a personal evaluation of the client’s neurodevelopmental status) ILT practitioners will address any suspected or confirmed underlying issues through:

1) suggestions for lifestyle or other adjustments and
2) a programme of movement-based activities. Why movement?

The movement activities and exercises are carefully selected in order to help the child overcome neurodevelopmental irregularities.

The activities seldom take longer than 20 minutes (often not more than 10 minutes) each day. (See: The need for a home-based programme below) They may be spread out during the day to be performed wherever and whenever there is a free moment.

Very little equipment is needed and any that may be needed (e.g. a loopy straw, balls, etc.) is supplied by us.

A follow-up session is held within ten or so days following the assessment. It is called the “Activity Check” and during this session, we’ll make sure that the client and helper are doing the activities correctly and experiencing no discomfort with them. The aim is to ‘fine-tune’ the programme so that the client is comfortable with it.

Following this, we meet every six to eight weeks to check on progress and review the programme, altering and adjusting activities according to the new levels of ability and neural organisation shown by the client.

The client is encouraged to follow the programme for a minimum of six months from assessment. Even if clients feel that results have been satisfactory before the six months is up, for optimum and lasting results we try to persuade them to continue for a while longer.

Some clients need more than six months – and we will continue to monitor and help with the programme for as long as necessary. The cost of the therapy, mostly according to medical aid tariff of fees, is available on request.

Should clients come from far afield, we try to meet personally for the first consultation and Activity Check. Thereafter, we communicate by means of video or DVD tapes and e-mails. The clients send us a video/DVD of the progress made and we return the video with taped demonstrations of adjustments that can be made to activities, new activities and our own comments.

The need for a home-based programme

A child with a learning difficulty may have problems in several of a wide variety of areas. His or her needs can’t be met by a class or subject teacher because there are simply too many pupils in a class who all require attention. Secondly, schools these days simply do not cater for learning difficulties. The curriculum demands have to be met.

Unfortunately, even in some remedial schools, there is little time for specific, individualised programmes done on a daily basis that may help a child with learning problems.

It is virtually impossible to help a child overcome a learning problem without regular, specific movement exercises or activities that should be supervised and supported at home. Any new skill that is learned requires constant practice – from learning language to learning to drive or play the piano.

In order for the neural pathways to be ‘grown’ or reinforced in the brain, daily practice is needed – not for long, because it is important not to stress already stressed systems.

But consistent repetition brings about better organisation of the brain, which is the key to overcoming many learning difficulties. For this reason, family members need to be supportive and help by being prepared to share the time needed each day to supervise or help with activities.

We sometimes estimate the probable success of our therapy programmes by observing the attitude of moms and dads (and siblings) when they come to us for help. Those who are organised and committed, in spite of gruelling routines and busy schedules, usually are rewarded by quick results.

Those who seem to feel that they don’t have enough time in the day to spend 10 to 20 minutes helping with an activity programme usually have us feeling rather pessimistic about the outcome. Happily, most of our families are determined to help, and find fun ways of fitting in the activities every day.

ABOUT ILT HOW DO WE HELP? LEARNING READINESS CURRICULUM VITAE BUY THE BOOK AND DVD	HOW DO WE HELP? After a careful assessment procedure (consisting of a comprehensive questionnaire, interview and a personal evaluation of the client’s neurodevelopmental status) ILT practitioners will address any suspected or confirmed underlying issues through: 1) suggestions for lifestyle or other adjustments and 2) a programme of movement-based activities. Why movement? The movement activities and exercises are carefully selected in order to help the child overcome neurodevelopmental irregularities. The activities seldom take longer than 20 minutes (often not more than 10 minutes) each day. (See: The need for a home-based programme below) They may be spread out during the day to be performed wherever and whenever there is a free moment. Very little equipment is needed and any that may be needed (e.g. a loopy straw, balls, etc.) is supplied by us. A follow-up session is held within ten or so days following the assessment. It is called the “Activity Check” and during this session, we’ll make sure that the client and helper are doing the activities correctly and experiencing no discomfort with them. The aim is to ‘fine-tune’ the programme so that the client is comfortable with it. Following this, we meet every six to eight weeks to check on progress and review the programme, altering and adjusting activities according to the new levels of ability and neural organisation shown by the client. The client is encouraged to follow the programme for a minimum of six months from assessment. Even if clients feel that results have been satisfactory before the six months is up, for optimum and lasting results we try to persuade them to continue for a while longer. Some clients need more than six months – and we will continue to monitor and help with the programme for as long as necessary. The cost of the therapy, mostly according to medical aid tariff of fees, is available on request. Should clients come from far afield, we try to meet personally for the first consultation and Activity Check. Thereafter, we communicate by means of video or DVD tapes and e-mails. The clients send us a video/DVD of the progress made and we return the video with taped demonstrations of adjustments that can be made to activities, new activities and our own comments. The need for a home-based programme A child with a learning difficulty may have problems in several of a wide variety of areas. His or her needs can’t be met by a class or subject teacher because there are simply too many pupils in a class who all require attention. Secondly, schools these days simply do not cater for learning difficulties. The curriculum demands have to be met. Unfortunately, even in some remedial schools, there is little time for specific, individualised programmes done on a daily basis that may help a child with learning problems. It is virtually impossible to help a child overcome a learning problem without regular, specific movement exercises or activities that should be supervised and supported at home. Any new skill that is learned requires constant practice – from learning language to learning to drive or play the piano. In order for the neural pathways to be ‘grown’ or reinforced in the brain, daily practice is needed – not for long, because it is important not to stress already stressed systems. But consistent repetition brings about better organisation of the brain, which is the key to overcoming many learning difficulties. For this reason, family members need to be supportive and help by being prepared to share the time needed each day to supervise or help with activities. We sometimes estimate the probable success of our therapy programmes by observing the attitude of moms and dads (and siblings) when they come to us for help. Those who are organised and committed, in spite of gruelling routines and busy schedules, usually are rewarded by quick results. Those who seem to feel that they don’t have enough time in the day to spend 10 to 20 minutes helping with an activity programme usually have us feeling rather pessimistic about the outcome. Happily, most of our families are determined to help, and find fun ways of fitting in the activities every day.
© Integrated Learning Therapy 2010

ILT PRACTITIONERS