Since 1982, medical practitioners, clinicians and therapists have used the Learning Breakthrough Program™ to treat a wide variety of disorders. The foundational brain structures that the program focuses on makes this powerful, drug-free therapy the perfect “homework” tool for clients and a wonderful complement to other treatments.
One of the most widely embraced aspects of the Learning Breakthrough Program™ is the way it is organized for ease of use by clients in their homes. This makes for a wonderful “homework” product to support your clinical therapies and as a terrific maintenance tool clients can use when therapy has ended. The program can be used clinically as is, right out of the box, or tailored for specific client needs and combined with other therapies to further enhance their effectiveness. Below is information specific to certain areas of expertise.
Occupational Therapists:
Sensory processing and sensory integration therapy combined with precision vestibular challenge can have a significant impact on a wide range of issues. Over the years, OTs have used the Learning Breakthrough Program to treat ADD/ADHD, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Autism, Aspergers and other non-specific learning difficulties and motor skills challenges. Combining the program and/or parts of the program with other therapies, such as listening therapies, has the effect of “super charging” the efficacy of the specific treatment.
The program is complementary to most every type of therapy as long as the client is able to stand. Here is what Dr. Lucy Jane Miller, PhD. has to say about the program:
The Learning Breakthrough Program is a helpful clinical therapy for a wide range of sensory processing issues. The unique nature of the program lends itself to use with a variety of therapeutic approaches and its ease of use gives us all a new tool to put in the hands of clients for use in their homes. I have integrated this holistic program within my practice and encourage fellow OTs to take advantage of the benefits this wonderful tool has to offer. –Dr. Lucy Jane Miller, Ph.D., OTR, founded the KID Foundation (the only full-time research facility in the world to focus exclusively on Sensory Processing Disorders) to further the efforts of her mentor, Dr. Jane Ayres.
Medical Doctors and Psychiatrists:
Learning Breakthrough is a respectable complementary and alternative treatment for ADD/ADHD. Proper use speeds up brain processing and reaction times similar to the effects of stimulant drug therapy, however the effects take a considerable period of time compared to the immediate impact that drug use delivers. We acknowledge the efficacy of a properly prescribed and monitored pharmacological intervention as an FDA-approved treatment for ADD/ADHD. The Learning Breakthrough Program provides a respectable complementary and alternative treatment for those patients who indicate a desire to try something other than medication. For patients currently receiving medication, program use may help lower the dosage and eventually lead to cessation. We would encourage someone who is currently taking medication, and who wants to use the program, to consult their physician and to continue the medication as it will help the patient focus on the program activities.
I have seen first hand the extraordinary power of the various physical exercises Dr. Frank Belgau developed for improving concentration, memory, reading, verbal fluency, and mental dexterity, as well as confidence…and I am happy to join in that effort. Tell teachers, tell other adults and professionals, tell the world that there is a too-well-kept secret that can help kids with so-called learning differences become champions. –Dr. Ned Hallowell, MD., best selling author and ADHD expert.
Physical Therapists
Physical therapy for various injuries and surgeries are specific to the physical impairment. What is quite often unrecognized is damage that may have occurred to the vestibular (balance) system as a result of an injury or surgery. Combining balance remediation, such as the Learning Breakthrough Program, along with physical therapy, may hasten recovery. Quite often bringing a patient back to 100% may indeed require therapy to the vestibular system. The Learning Breakthrough Program is an ideal tool as it can be used in the clinic, along with other therapies, as well as at home by the patient in support of ongoing treatment.
Child Psychologists
The Learning Breakthrough Program offers a unique opportunity to treat root level issues that are involved in Dyslexia, ADD/ADHD, Dyspraxia and other non-specific learning disabilities. Many sufferers of these conditions also have poor coordination and physical abilities as well. Along with improvements in learning and attention difficulties, physical and sporting performance tends to improve from consistent program use and eventually has a positive impact on ones self esteem.
Audiologists
Using the Learning Breakthrough Program™ in conjunction with listening therapies and other auditory treatments enhances their effectiveness. This results from the introduction of stimulation to other senses and systems, especially the vestibular. Lifting up one sense can help improve others which is why some Interactive Metronome practitioners have their patients stand on our unique balance board while using IM. A variety of listening therapies have also incorporated parts or all of the Learning Breakthrough Program as a way to further impact auditory processing treatment results.
Developmental Optometrists
Over the years many developmental optometrists have used Learning Breakthrough with stroke victims and other clients. The development of networks of neuropathways that result from consistent program use positively impacts the restoration of sensory systems and cognitive processes that were lost or damaged as a result of a stroke, traumatic brain injury or other problem. The program, developed when Dr. Belgau was the Director of the Visual and Motor Perception Lab at the University of Houston, improves a variety of visual processing functions, such as binocular teaming and visual acuity. Read through the Theoretical Components section of this website to learn more about how the program can become a valuable tool in your practice.
