Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

On this page we answer some of the most asked questions. If you can't find what you are looking for here, simply contact us directly by telephone or e-mail.

You can also attend one of our free Open House Events to find out more and ask questions.

Question: What kind of clients come to you for help ?

Answer: The methods used in our programmes stimulate the processing centres in the brain and can help improve performance, behaviour and emotional health. We see children and adults who simply wish to enhance their learning and creativity as well as those with some learning limitations, which can range from mild Dyslexia and Attention Deficit to more severe Autism, Cerebral Palsy or Down Syndrome.

Question: What kind of services do you provide at your Centres ?

Answer: At the SAS Centres we offer:

• Sound Therapy;
• NLP, Psychotherapy and Hypnotherapy;
• Life Coaching;
• Parenting and Communication Skills Courses;
• Study Acceleration and Exam Skills Programmes.

Question: Do I need an official diagnosis prior to taking a SAS programme ?

Answer: No. Prior to starting a SAS programme we will conduct a number of tests that will determine the individual requirements for each client. The programme will then be adjusted to ensure the client obtains the maximum benefits.

Question: For what age group are these programmes suitable ?

Answer: The programme will be adjusted to the needs and abilities of each client and can be applied to children and adults of all ages - no one is too young or too old to learn and develop further.

Question: What is the typical duration of a sound therapy programme ?

Answer: Based on the results of the initial assessment we will recommend the most appropriate course of action and tailor our programmes to the ability, needs and individual response of the client. To ensure maximum effectiveness sessions are to be taken on a daily basis for a period of between one and two hours each day, normally Monday to Friday or Monday to Saturday. Initial programmes mostly last two to three weeks, sometimes with a shorter follow-up programme three to six weeks later.

Question: What kind of improvements are reported by parents after completion of the programme?

Answer: Some of the improvements reported by parents are: clearer and more fluent speech; reduced noise and tinnitus in the ear; less startle responses to loud noises; more appropriate expression and interactions; increased and longer eye contact; easier, more frequent interaction with others; improved language comprehension; more interest in verbalization and communication; exhibition of age appropriate behaviour; improved social skills; improved academic performance; less impulsivity and restlessness; increased independence and self-esteem; reduced distractability and longer attention span; more appropriate levels of energy and less irritability.

Question: Can you help non-verbal children ?

Answer: Yes, very much so. We have a range of specialist methods specifically aimed at non-verbal clients. Auditory activation applied in a variety of ways has proven to be beneficial in stimulating the emergence of speech in some cases. Often additional improvements in ability, behaviour and emotional health are achieved through our programmes.

Question: Do you treat clients with epilepsy ?

Answer: In most cases yes, but before starting please inform us of any relevant conditions so we can take this in to account when designing the personalised programme.

Question: What are the methods used in a typical programme ?

Answer: We aim to activate the sensory processing centres in the brain and to improve the inter-hemispheric communication and synchronisation. By using sound through headphones we can not only reach the auditory processing centres, but also address each brain-half separately and stimulate the connections through the Corpus Callosum. The sound programmes mostly include classical or modern music, speech and specially generated sounds. If appropriate this will be augmented by personal coaching sessions.

Question: What is the difference between SAS Auditory Activation and the Tomatis or AIT methods ?

Answer: The Tomatis method and Auditory Integration Training (AIT) were developed many years ago and have proven their worth over the years. The SAS methodology uses modern computer technology and is based on a new understanding of how the brain processes information, which allows for a much wider range of auditory activation to be used. Although similar in approach, the SAS methodology is able to match and activate the clients 'state of mind' to a much greater degree.

Question: Do I have to repeat these programmes on a regular basis ?

Answer: Once new neural connections are made in the brain these normally remain stable for a long time. It is similar to learning to ride a bike - once learned the skill stays with us for life. Many clients, however, benefit from top-up sessions to build on progress made previously, in which case we'll design an appropriate follow-on programme.

Question: Can I take a break during the programme ?

Answer: We recommend to take all sessions in as short as possible period of time. A break of no more than two days can be taken once at least four days of the programme have been completed. The brain needs this sustained period of focussed attention to effectively replace old patterns with new ones.

Question: Can these programmes be done at home ?

Answer: We make changes to the programme for each individual session, based on indications from the original assessment and feedback from each session. This makes it difficult to implement the SAS method as a home based programme.

Question: What if my child does not want to wear headphones ?

Answer: Some children are very sensitive to touch and may object to wearing headphones. Often this reluctance is short lived and most children settle in rapidly. With some children we provide the programme while they are asleep, which has proven to be very effective.

Question: Are there negative side effects to these programmes ?

Answer: All methods used are non-invasive and external to the client. The activation is aimed at triggering a change in how the brain processes information, rather than force a new pattern upon the person. Ultimately the person is in charge at all times and we have found that this gentle activation only triggers positive changes.

Question: Are results guaranteed ?

Answer: The external non-invasive techniques used can be very effective in triggering the required changes, but each person is unique and at a different developmental stage in their life and results can therefore not be guaranteed. We will adjust each programme on a session by session basis guided by feedback from each session in order to find the most effective level of activation for each person.

Question: Are your fees covered by social security or private heath insurance ?

Answer: Currently the fees are not refunded by either national social securities or private health insurance companies.

Question: I still have further questions, where do I go from here ?

Answer: Before making any decisions it is really important that you feel fully informed and are at ease with our approach. If you can't find what you are looking for here, simply ask us directly by telephone or e-mail. You can also attend one of our Free Open House Events to find out more and ask questions.