The DAN! Protocol & Sensory Learning:
" A perfect fit!"
An open letter to DAN! Protocol Parents:
My son, Jacob, had been on the DAN! Protocol for two years when it became increasingly clear his severe sensory issues needed to be addressed. In researching my options, I discovered the Sensory Learning Institute in Boulder, CO and its non-invasive, holistic approach to sensory stimulation called Sensory Learning. The results speak for themselves: When we arrived in Boulder on Jan 8th, 2002, Jacob had 2 words in his vocabulary. By the end of our 12 days in Boulder, Jacob's vocabulary tripled. He even took a nap, which he hadn't done in over a year. He finally had a good night's sleep (so did I). Eight months later, Jacob can count to 16, recite and recognize all 26 letters of the alphabet, and knows his shapes and colors. His eye-contact is perfect.He has lost all his autistic traits! The only issue left is speech delay. And he's saying new words everyday! To every parent implementing the DAN! Protocol whose child has sensory issues, you MUST look into the Sensory Learning Institute and Sensory Learning! They're a perfect fit! -- Toledo Bend, LA

AUTISM

• 4 year old girl --- This is our story: "When we brought our four-year old daughter, Nicole, to Sensory Learning Institute, she had been diagnosed with autism for two years. We had tried a number of things before learning about Sensory Learning. As Nicole began the 12 day Sensory Learning intervention, we began noticing an improvement almost immediately. During the first 30 days, Nicole began to say her own name and noticing things she never noticed before even her eye contact improved. She continued to make progress, month after month. One year after Sensory Learning, Nicole's doctor said she was the "highest functioning autistic child she had ever seen" and suggested we send her to kindergarten with no label, no diagnosis, and no Individual Educational Program. As if that wasn't enough, one year later, in summarizing Nicole's second year's annual review, her doctor wrote, "In this sample of her behavior, Nicole did not demonstrate symptoms of an autistic spectrum disorder, or of any other disorder." Thank you, Sensory Learning Institute. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you!" -- CO
  
  
• 7 year old boy --- Before Sensory Learning, I was never able to hold my son to comfort him. Now, I can hold him, stroke his back, touch his head, and he responds to me with hugs and kisses. After so many years of no embraces or displays of affection, I am so very grateful. -- AZ
  
  
• 5 year old --- This intervention has bought a new awareness to my son I thought would not be possible. His receptive language is at a high and his desire for language, imitation, interaction, play, hugs and kisses has grown so much. He can now jump and hop and is talking spontaneously, asking questions and saying what he wants. He is softer, more compliant and and there is that gentle loving aura about him. I know these are only the beginnings of things to come. Now he has a chance to be the beautiful and truly remarkable child he is. We can see past his disability. -- VA
  
  
• 4 year old --- How can I fully describe what the Sensory Learning Program did for our son? How do I summarize in words what can only be felt in the heart, seen in the glimer of an eye, or tasted in the salt of joyful tears? The Sensory Learning Program is the difference between a boy who couldn't live with a drop of water touching his shoe and a boy who jumps barefoot in mud puddles. It is the difference between a boy whose mother cannot sing him a lullaby and a boy who sings them to his mother. It is the difference between a boy who runs terrified away from any bug and a boy who brings his mother a caterpillar in the palm of his little hand and says, "Look, Mom, it's a fuzzy caterpillar!" with all of the motion and wonder of a four year-old exploring his world.What did the Sensory Learning Program do for us? We have our son back. -- MI
  
  
• 5 year old boy --- (A letter from a pre-scool teacher - fall school session following a summer Sensory Learning Program) The program has been a very positive experience because he has made tremendous progress with expressive skills as well as transitioning without gettign frustrated. He is putting sentences together and express without guided practice to ask for what he needs. He participates every day in circle time singing, and sitting still for 15 min. In group, he participates without hesitation, colors, and glues age appropriately and does not get frustrated. We are very proud of him.
  From his Mom - Our experience with NNH has been fantastic! We wathed our son go leaps and bounds. We believe in the program 500%. When our son returned to school, all the staff has been very impressed with his improvements. I am happy to talk with anyone about the program. - VA
  
• 6 yo boy - We are very pleased with the results. Our son has improved in all areas. He speech, balance, thought processing and temper have all improved remarkably. He is doing great in school and now is able to interact with his classmates much more than before. The staff is very accomodating and helpful n many ways and is there for you and givign support always. - VA

• 7 1/2 yo boy - Into the second week afterwards, our son seemd fearless about reading. Previously, he had had difficulty and getting him to sound out words was like pulling teeth. Now, he will sound out almost any word. The program also helped him increase his social skills. his eye contact has improved significantly. He is able to read more facial expressions. One morning, he looked at me in the mirrow and asked, "What's wrong Mom"? It was such a moment for us. I also feel his articulation has and continues to improve. I am so thanksful we were able to do the program.

• After Sensory Learning, Darren is so much more aware of EVERYTHING! For the first time in his life, he's now in a regular classroom! -- LA
  
• Ty's social skills are the biggest improvement. He can handle so many situations he wouldn't have been able to deal with six months ago. -- LA

LEARNING / BEHAVIOR / RELATIONSHIP PROBLEMS

• 6 year old girl--- After attending the Sensory Learning Center, our 6 year old daughter, diagnosed with learning disabilities, has been able to achieve a higher level of success in school. She is learning to read easier than before this therapy. She seems to be understanding more concepts in math and science, and can now do physical things that she was unable to do before.She can now jump rope and play hop scotch. She has many firends at school and is accepted by her peers. I am pleased with the changes we have seen. -- VA
  
  
• 4 year old boy --Brought in primarily for delays of speech and difficulty in transitions. Since the program, his speaking ability and conversational skills have increased dramatically. He now transitions to new surroundings or changes in routine with minimal or no complaint or anxiety. We have also noted improvements in motor skills, imaginary play, and ability to fucus and follow directions. We are very please with the program and very impressed with teh changes in our son. - VA
  
  
• 16 year old boy--- Our son has dramatically improved this year in school and with his friends. There have been improvements in Behaviors and mood, in reading and comprehansioin, in balance and coordination. His ability to concentrate and remain on task is much improved. He is able to complete his homework and projects without help and is making good grades rather then barely passing. He has more friends and is happier. This has been agreat thing and we are happy with the results. - OH
  
  
• 11 year old boy --- My eleven year old son was lying, cheating and disrupting everyone in his classroom. He didn't care about getting into trouble. I was desperate. Since he's gone through the Sensory Learning program he feels much better, is making good choices and is able to be "present". He knows right from wrong. He's doing well in school and keeping up with his homework. He made the honor roll. I have my son back. Thanks to your program we are making great strides. Thank you so very much. -- MA
  
  
• 10 year old boy -- ADHD/LD/Auditory Processings Disorders - Since teh Sensory Learning Program has been completed, our son is so much calmer. He is able to remember things better and his thoughts are also more pleasant. Where he was bothered by so many things, now he doesn't even notice. He is showing more mature thinking - he's growing up. At school, he is now able to focus on his work with less distractions. He is a much happier boy. Thank you. - VA
  
  
• 48 year old woman -- I am definitely less anxious and find it easier speaking and studying new materials. I am glad I did the program. - VA
  

NON_VERBAL LEARNING DISABILITY

• 13 year old girl -- diagnosed also with ADHD Our daughter has had so much difficulty from being unable to read social cues and lacking social skills, she stays alone and depressed much of the time. She just never understood when she was annoying others by her behaviors. When she would try to tease, she just didn't know when to stop. She couldn't read the reactions of others. She has been in special schools and moved from one to another. Since the Sensory Learning program, she has been developing friends for the first time and is becoming much more animated in her speech and behaviors. Her sense of balance and rhythm are now in place and she has been dismissed by her OT. She is doing well now in school. Her art work shows a greatly increased ability to see detail. She has friends and is so much happier. - VA
  
  
• 15 year old girl - ADHD, Sensory Processing Disorder. Our daughter has experienced quite a few changes since completing the sensory learning program. Physically we have seen major improvements in her tactile dysfunction, proprioceptive sense, and her nervous habits. Her Trichotillomania is well under control. She is able to communicate more with her body language and is much more expressive with her hands, mannerisms, and tone of voice. Although she never had serious long-standing trouble with her schoolwork, she seems to exhibit a much improved ability to concentrate and a ‘get it done’ attitude. Her mood, anxiety, disposition, temper, compliance are all things that did improve, however those issues have resurfaced but now we believe they are age-appropriate for a developing young woman with raging hormones. Other changes we see include her patience and her ability to socialize (join a group, be a team player, acts as part of a team, get along with others, make new friends, KEEP new friends). Socialization was an extremely big issue and because of this one single improvement, she now enjoys a much improved sense of self-esteem. She has friends and an active social life and that was very foreign to her growing up.
  She has always loved music, singing and dancing. It is obvious now that she has developed a sense of rhythm and is able to ‘carry a tune’ much better than before. We are thoroughly enjoying watching Nicole blossom into a young woman and seeing her true personality traits surface. She is now a very laid back, easy going, live and let live kind of person. M.J., VA
  
  

BRAIN INJURY

• 53 year old man --- Following an automobile accident 13 years ago, I was not able to work, read, could barely walk and my speech was difficult. Now, after Sensory Learning, my balance has improved so my walking is better, my speech is understandable, I can read again, and I am now working. I have my life back! I'm now able to travel. I feel good about myself. I am turning past negatives into positives. In all, I have my life back. Thank you. --- S.W. - VA
  
• 46 year old woman --- I've done this program two times. The first time was extraordinary for me. Especially, I was unable to find my words and I used the word "thing" often, sometimes a few times in one sentence. A sister on the phone said I wasn't using "thing" anymore, and I had not even noticed.
  Then, I sufferd another concussion. Teh second time I participated anoterh sister said she noticed I was more eloquent in my speech again - how I used to be.
  My iniability to find my words and express myself succeessfully drove me crazy and depressed me. I now feel again that I have my abilities to communicate clearly and can once again follow my train of thought.
  I am very grateful - Thanks! --- J.A. - VA