6/15/16

Gaining Ground With Integrated Listening Systems In Our Homeschool

You are reading Gaining Ground With Integrated Listening Systems In Our Homeschool, posted by Heather Mac, originally posted at Joyful Socks Mom blog.

Living and interacting with a child that has multiple learning and behavioral differences can be a challenge for any parent, to say the least.  When you begin to educate at home, these learning differences and behaviors can begin to appear magnified.  What changed?  Your proximity to the child and their learning struggles.  You observe all the time, up-close and personal.  At some point most home educators can feel alone or isolated, this can certainly be said of those of us that have children with learning struggles.  

One vital key to success in home educating a struggling learner is to gain as many tools and resources for both you and your child's support.  This is one of many reasons we decided to try Integrated Listening Systems.


** This post is a sponsored post for Integrated Listening Systems, as part of my affiliation with iHomeschool Network. In order to review this product, I received this product complimentary, and am compensated for my time.  All opinions in this post are mine, and I was not required to post a positive review. Thank you for your support. You can read my full disclosure policy here.**

How We Use Integrated Listening System to Help With Sensory Issues
From the beginning, my child was impressed by the iLS system.  He enjoyed the idea of utilizing technology and kinesthetics to help improve his areas of learning and behavior challenges.  This made it an easy "sell" on using everyday, which let's face it, is important when motivating a teenager (especially one with Asperger's) to try something new and different.

We currently use the Integrated Listening System four days per week, for about 30 to 40 minutes per day, lately it has been 30 minutes as the summer schedule piles up.  For my child, we have broken our sessions up during the day.  He uses the system in the morning before the school day has begun by using his iLS system and Playbook to do his program exercises.
The exercises are varied in skill and ability, making this system a good option for many differing levels of age and development.  It was interesting to note that these exercises can be done with eyes open, however; my child found it easier, early on, to complete exercises with his eyes closed.  As he has progressed, he has found it easier to listen and concentrate even with his eyes open.


Later in the afternoon, he continues his sessions by doing other activities while using his iLS: putting together a puzzle, building with his legos, doing oragami, sketching.  These are all interests of his, so his afternoon sessions are well received.


Early in completing our program, we realized that my child's affinity to motion sickness needed to be addressed.  This was immediately addressed by Sharon, our iLS coach, who adapted the system's mini-amplifier to provide the minimum air and bone conduction during his sessions.

Our personal goals for using this system long-term would be to help address my child's issues with sensory processing, but specifically: 
  • Sensory Overload
  • Emotional Regulation
  • Improved Attention Span
  • Better Mental Acuity
Keeping in mind that we have really only scratched the surface on utilizing this system, I have already observed some changes with my child's attention, self-awareness, and motor skills.  He appears to be more cognizant of his posture, and is trying to correct himself when walking, without prompting. Additionally, he is doing better maintaining his focus in public, even crowded settings like a Boy Scout meeting.

What I Enjoyed About Using Integrated Listening System At Home
  • A tool that helps my child with being more self-aware and taking ownership for his learning and behavioral differences.  We are all learning, growing and changing.  This specific system has helped my teen feel more confident in addressing and improving his own challenges.  If the iLS system had no other benefit, that one reason would be worth using the system entirely!
  • Personalized home therapy programing to address my child's specific needs and challenges.  iLS is not meant to be used in a "one-size-fits-all" fashion.  Each home therapy system is accompanied by an iLS coach, which we work with over the phone, to help you build a program that fits mine and my child's specific needs.  Our iLS coach Sharon is amazing!
  • Home therapy that everyone can use.  One of the first benefits of the Integrated Listening System that both shocked and thrilled this mom was the fact that each member of my family can utilize it for different needs.  My iLS coach and I will soon be incorporating the Integrated Listening System for both of my daughters to improve attention span and memorization ability. 
  • Kinesthetic learning.  iLS exercises are easy and fun, and we are glad to be using a system that doesn't include sitting at length in a chair, or using a ton of boring flashcards. (Been there, done that)
  • Adaptability and flexibility. Being a home educator and using a home therapy means that we spend less time running around, and more time learning.  Also, as a mother of teenagers, we can easily get bogged down with our schedule.  Integrated Listening System is easy for us to schedule daily and rearrange as needed.
  • Potential.  The broad spectrum of behavioral functions that this home therapy can help to correct seems far reaching.  After completing a few weeks of home therapy to specifically address sensory and motor issues, I have seen enough positive response to know that iLS has the ability to benefit my child in other areas that we have not yet begun to address.  Integrated Listening System is built to provide help in many areas of behavior: listening, sensory and audio processing, memorization, better attention span, emotional response and control.
  • iLS can be used alongside, and in conjunction with other occupational therapy systems.  We still use a couple of other therapy tools to help address different areas of learning differences for my child.  The iLS system can safely be utilized alongside these other useful tools.
 

As a home educator with a teen who has learning differences it is important to use every available resource to help in our educating journey.  This coming school year, he will be a senior, which means that we are working to give him the best edge possible.  iLS is more than a mere tool that we use.  Integrated Listening System is now part of our support system.  We know we are not alone on our journey, and we are thankful that iLS is working alongside us.
Take a look at the amazing science behind Integrated Listening Systems
You can contact iLS directly to get more information on this amazing system.

Follow Integrated Listening Systems on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Google + 

For more great articles and ideas, be certain to follow our "Be Different" Pinterest Board:


Follow Living Books Nook's board BE DIFFERENT Learning on Pinterest.

 
Joyfully Learning with You,






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4/14/16

Integrated Listening Systems to Curb Sensory Processing with Teens

You are reading Integrated Listening Systems to Curb Sensory Issues with Teens, posted by Heather Mac, originally posted at Joyful Socks Mom blog.
 
Anyone who has followed this blog for any amount of time would certainly know that we are not your typical family.  We even broke the mold as far as "home educating" families are concerned ... and that is saying quite a bit.  What you may not have know is that two of our children have, in the past, struggled with learning.  You can read more about my journey out of the struggling learner wilderness here.

Although most of our major learning struggles are now in our past, we continue to seek out and search to give our kids the best "edge" possible.  Especially since both of our struggling learners are soon-to-be graduated and off to college, finding the best available resources for them and helping them to add tools to their belt is of great importance.

This is exactly the reason that I was thrilled to discover iLS, (Integrated Listening Systems) a new home therapy option to naturally assist with both sensory processing, memory and attention issues.




** This post is a sponsored post for Integrated Listening Systems, as part of my affiliation with iHomeshool Network. In order to review this product, I received this product complimentary, and am compensated for my time.  All opinions in this post are mine, and I was not required to post a positive review. Thank you for your support. You can read my full disclosure policy here.**

What is Integrated Listening Systems (iLS)?

iLS is a unique, natural system that incorporates both movement and sound via listening therapy and music therapy, to assist individuals with various learning differences in-home.  Being that we have a teen with Asperger's/OCD, and another teen with Dyslexia, I knew that this system would be an excellent idea to assist with our current needs and possible future goals.  Integrated Listening Systems is customized to the individual using the system, and more than one individual can utilize this system in your home!  As a matter of fact, my iLS staff member helped instruct me, the long-suffering-exhausted-homeschool-mommy, on using the system to help calm myself. Score!

What is included with iLS system?

The Integrated Listening Systems is a well-organized, fully equipped system that you can rent, ready-to-use and customized to individual learning needs.

Here is a closer look at this unique listening system that has been utilized already by clinics and individuals around the globe to assist individuals with various learning differences:




The kit is available for in-home use and you are assisted by an iLS staff member that helps to individualize the system for use for each person.  We are excited about the potential learning and fun that we will be experiencing using this performance optimizing system.


Why are we using the iLS system? 
  • Emotional Regulation
  • Sensory Overload
  • Better Mental Acuity
  • Improved Attention
Look, our resident Doctor Who approves!
I am thrilled to be able to report soon on our progress with this new and innovative system, as I will be utilizing this Integrated Listening Systems with my kids over the next 10 weeks, and possibly longer.

Take a look at the amazing science behind Integrated Listening Systems. You can contact iLS directly to get more information on this amazing system.

Follow Integrated Listening Systems on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Google + 



You can now read my FULL REVIEW of Integrated Learning Systems Here
 
For more great articles and ideas, be certain to follow our "Be Different" Pinterest Board:


Follow Living Books Nook's board BE DIFFERENT Learning on Pinterest.


Joyfully Learning with You,


Be sure to keep up with Joyful Socks on PinterestTwitter, & Instagram, Etsy Shop and our IG SHOP

 

3/8/16

8 Must Haves For A Creative Planning & Jounaling



There are so many new, fun, exciting and interesting methods of planning and journaling. I personally employee an eclectic variety of both planning and journaling methods.  Who needs to be married to the same old boring planning methods.  Not this mum!

The art of planning and journaling appears to be enjoying a new revival via the various social media networks. As a wife, mother and home educator I have been planning for years.  At times rather successfully ... Other times, not so successfully.

Over those years my style and methods have changed. A few constants throughout every stage of my planning in journaling have remained the same:

• I must is be inspired visually by the planning and journaling method I use.  I am not a naturally organized individual.  I am, however, an creative artist with lots of ideas floating around in my noggin!
• I must be able to mark my accomplishments off of my checklist. This just makes me happy.
• I must enjoy the process of documenting all of my planning and journaling. To me it is better when it feels enjoyable and fun, rather than cumbersome and a chore.

In light of the current planning revival and having the experience to share, I thought you might enjoy knowing the planner and journaling supplies I cannot do without.


1. Sticky Notes - Without shame I must say that I am a great fan of whomever invented the fabulous "sticky note". In my daily planning it is the convenience & versatility of sticky notes, that make my planning & journaling a much less daunting task.


2. Gel Pens - My Insta-friend, Nicole, is responsible for creating the gel pen monster I have become. I enjoy the smooth and ease of the Gelly Roll brand pen. In fact, I am getting a bit snobby about using anything else. 


3. Washi Tape - I need a sign that says, "Will work for washi tape!" If Washi tape grew on trees, my pocketbook would suffer much less affliction. I enjoy the versatility that washi tape lends to my planning in journaling. Plus it's really pretty.


4. Mod Podge - Pass me the Modge Podge please! This adhesive is easy to use and can be used in many different ways.

5. Ephemera - I love all the pretty things made of paper. Embellishments, magazine clippings, project life cards, doilies, old stamps ... And the list goes on and on and on.

6. Planner Clips and Bookmarks - Clips, of all shapes & sizes cater to my Type-A personality. They help everything stay in its proper place, thank you very much.


7. Junk Journals - I started recently making in using Junk Journals. I'm a little addicted to making and using them now. The idea is to use bits and pieces of paper, scraps, bits and baubles to create a versatile junk journal that can be used for many different purposes.

8. Planner Bands - Yet another accessory that appeals to my anal-retentive personality. These simple to make and decorate bands help keep journals closed to the outside world.


Get some great planning and journaling ideas from my Choose Joy Planner feed on Instagram. I also have an amazing Pinterest board chalk full of planning and journaling inspiration. 


Follow Living Books Nook's board Planner and Journaling JOY on Pinterest.  

What planning and journaling items must you have at the ready?

Joyfully Learning with You,

Living Books Nook

Be sure to keep up with Joyful Socks on PinterestTwitter, & Instagram, Etsy Shop and our IG SHOP

Heather's Highly Recommended Helps: