| The ALPHA Effect™ is a full immersion music and art based program designed to accelerate reading, writing and listening skills, and to provide enhanced opportunities for personal growth creativity and learning success. |
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The ALPHA Effect™ is an evidence-based auditory and sensory
integration program that strengthens communication, social, and
cognitive skills. The ALPHA Effect™ promotes learning through the
Arts, Love of Language, Phonics/Phonemic Awareness Skills,
Hands-on Learning and Active Listening. This Tomatis-based
program consists of minimally 30 sessions of an active listening
component, using filtered classical music (Mozart and Gregorian
Chants) specifically designed for the child's or adult's needs. While
listening, individuals engage in spatially-oriented tasks, such as
puzzles and mazes, painting, and drawing. We include sensory
integration exercises such as "crossing the midline" drawings and
other sensory integration techniques. The ALPHA Effect™ pulls
together the musical, visual, verbal, spatial/kinesthetic and logical
modes of learning and makes use of the fifty-plus years of research
by Dr. Alfred Tomatis, into the nature and remediation of auditory
processing delays.
integration program that strengthens communication, social, and
cognitive skills. The ALPHA Effect™ promotes learning through the
Arts, Love of Language, Phonics/Phonemic Awareness Skills,
Hands-on Learning and Active Listening. This Tomatis-based
program consists of minimally 30 sessions of an active listening
component, using filtered classical music (Mozart and Gregorian
Chants) specifically designed for the child's or adult's needs. While
listening, individuals engage in spatially-oriented tasks, such as
puzzles and mazes, painting, and drawing. We include sensory
integration exercises such as "crossing the midline" drawings and
other sensory integration techniques. The ALPHA Effect™ pulls
together the musical, visual, verbal, spatial/kinesthetic and logical
modes of learning and makes use of the fifty-plus years of research
by Dr. Alfred Tomatis, into the nature and remediation of auditory
processing delays.
APPLICATIONS
The program is not age-dependent, and can
benefit both children and adults. Since 2003,
Sierra Dove has implemented the ALPHA Effect
in school settings with children, K-12, including
general education, gifted, and special needs
students. In private settings, we have worked
with a number of adults who have participated in
the program for a variety of reasons. Some come
to us because of memory loss due to injury or
aging, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder,
depression, low self-esteem issues, or anxiety.
Some simply wish to sharpen their cognitive
abilities or spark a deeper level of creativity in
their work.
The program is not age-dependent, and can
benefit both children and adults. Since 2003,
Sierra Dove has implemented the ALPHA Effect
in school settings with children, K-12, including
general education, gifted, and special needs
students. In private settings, we have worked
with a number of adults who have participated in
the program for a variety of reasons. Some come
to us because of memory loss due to injury or
aging, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder,
depression, low self-esteem issues, or anxiety.
Some simply wish to sharpen their cognitive
abilities or spark a deeper level of creativity in
their work.
RESULTS
In an independent, university-based study of 64 students, including an ALPHA group
and control, conducted during the 2005-2006 school year, ALPHA students saw
statistically significant gains in receptive vocabulary and cognitive skills; reading
comprehension, fluency, and accuracy; and retelling and predictive abilities (click here
to view a summary of the study) . Steve Brady, a parent of one of our ALPHA students
reported "Tristan's enunciation and speaking ability have improved noticeably. His
attention span is better and he also has an increased understanding of material he
has read. His coordination has improved and he is more able to focus on tasks. His
handwriting has improved, also." According to Dr. Anne Calhoun from UNM who
conducted this study, "Overall the picture presented of The ALPHA Effect™ students
is one that shows immense growth in cognitive, academic, and psychological areas."
In an independent, university-based study of 64 students, including an ALPHA group
and control, conducted during the 2005-2006 school year, ALPHA students saw
statistically significant gains in receptive vocabulary and cognitive skills; reading
comprehension, fluency, and accuracy; and retelling and predictive abilities (click here
to view a summary of the study) . Steve Brady, a parent of one of our ALPHA students
reported "Tristan's enunciation and speaking ability have improved noticeably. His
attention span is better and he also has an increased understanding of material he
has read. His coordination has improved and he is more able to focus on tasks. His
handwriting has improved, also." According to Dr. Anne Calhoun from UNM who
conducted this study, "Overall the picture presented of The ALPHA Effect™ students
is one that shows immense growth in cognitive, academic, and psychological areas."
| Contact us for more information on The ALPHA Effect™ (click here) |
| Consultations and Train the Trainer workshops are available. |
We envision making these methods known to a larger audience in the medical and art-therapy
fields, whom we feel could greatly benefit from this knowledge. For example, we have seen
children and adults with significant head injuries, clinically depressed individuals, and those
who are grieving make great strides through participation in The ALPHA Effect™ . We have
worked with people of all ages with ADD/ADHD, dyslexia and other learning disorders, Downs
Syndrome, those who have experienced emotional or physical trauma and autism. All have been
helped by the program.
It is our belief that The ALPHA Effect™ has a place beyond the classroom: in hospitals, other
health care and clinical settings, after school programs such as Boys & Girls Clubs, summer
camps, prisons and juvenile detention facilities to name just a few.
A recent study conducted by professors at Stanford University demonstrates that "Children do
not develop in particular domains independently of other domains. To the contrary, social
development and academic development are inextricably connected. Efforts to improve
development in one domain will be more successful if attention is given to development in the
other."
A separate independent study conducted by Dr.
Janette Issacson, Ed.D. reports, "Judging from
my analysis of the Mental Status Exams and
Pro-social Testing conducted thus far of the
ALPHA Study Group, there are definitely pro-
social improvements for the students who were
enrolled in The ALPHA Effect™ in the fall of
2005. The areas of improvement focus around
increased attention span, increased resiliency
and reciprocity, lower frustration levels,
improved listening skills and heightened
creativity and imagination." (click here to view a
summary of the study)
Janette Issacson, Ed.D. reports, "Judging from
my analysis of the Mental Status Exams and
Pro-social Testing conducted thus far of the
ALPHA Study Group, there are definitely pro-
social improvements for the students who were
enrolled in The ALPHA Effect™ in the fall of
2005. The areas of improvement focus around
increased attention span, increased resiliency
and reciprocity, lower frustration levels,
improved listening skills and heightened
creativity and imagination." (click here to view a
summary of the study)
PARENTAL LETTERS OF SUPPORT FOR The ALPHA Effect™
"My son Jay was in The ALPHA Effect™ Program in the fall of 2003. Jay has improved in so
many areas. He gained three grade levels in reading during the program. His reading fluency
grew from 39 words per minute to 103. Other areas of improvement are improved motor skills,
expressive artwork, and a noticeable increase in maturity level. We highly recommend ALPHA
and are very grateful that our son had the opportunity to participate."
— Jackie Trahan, parent, Ruidoso, New Mexico.
"Matthew actually plays with other children at school now and he's less afraid to assert himself.
He's much more calm, slower to anger and he just generally seems happier. If there's anything else
that would help do that, I haven't heard of it!"
— Tonya Jimenez, parent, Alamogordo, New Mexico
"My son Jessi was enrolled in The ALPHA Effect™ Program in the fall of 2005. I have noticed
improvements in many areas of his life since that time.
First of all, Jessi has become more interested in learning and is a more active participant in class
activities. Jessi was very quiet in class before, but now he is more outspoken and outgoing. His
attention span is longer and he is better able to stay focused and follow directions in class. He
seems happier and is more interested in painting, drawing and music than he was before. His
handwriting is clearer. He also has a better self-image and shows more confidence in his school
work."
— Kwandao Trujillo, parent, Alamogordo, New Mexico
"Both Oscar and Eduardo are more interested in reading and are more fluent in English. They
speak English at home now more often than Spanish. Both boys have increased their fine motor
skills and coordination. They are better at focusing on task and working to completion."
— Anna Gines, parent, Alamogordo, New Mexico
"Destinies attention span has dramatically improved. She is better able to follow directions. Her
handwriting, self-image, and tolerance level for frustrating situations have improved."
— Selena McCowan, parent, Alamogordo, New Mexico
"My son Joseph attended ALPHA at North Elementary. I would like to say that this program is
amazing. I feel that it has changed my son's life for the better. Before he enrolled in ALPHA he
was drawn away from people and didn't know how to express himself. Joey was also having a
problem concentrating and retaining information. After completing the program, Joey is more
energetic and excited about learning. He enjoys telling us what he has learned for the day, and is
able to retain the information very well. The teachers are telling us how much he has come out of
his shell and he is participating more in class. Around the house, we are not having any problems
with him doing chores, housework or just helping around the house. He is retaining instructions
without having to be told more than once. Joey is also accepting more responsibility and enjoys
taking on challenges."
— William Wittliff, parent, Alamogordo, New Mexico
"My son Jay was in The ALPHA Effect™ Program in the fall of 2003. Jay has improved in so
many areas. He gained three grade levels in reading during the program. His reading fluency
grew from 39 words per minute to 103. Other areas of improvement are improved motor skills,
expressive artwork, and a noticeable increase in maturity level. We highly recommend ALPHA
and are very grateful that our son had the opportunity to participate."
— Jackie Trahan, parent, Ruidoso, New Mexico.
"Matthew actually plays with other children at school now and he's less afraid to assert himself.
He's much more calm, slower to anger and he just generally seems happier. If there's anything else
that would help do that, I haven't heard of it!"
— Tonya Jimenez, parent, Alamogordo, New Mexico
"My son Jessi was enrolled in The ALPHA Effect™ Program in the fall of 2005. I have noticed
improvements in many areas of his life since that time.
First of all, Jessi has become more interested in learning and is a more active participant in class
activities. Jessi was very quiet in class before, but now he is more outspoken and outgoing. His
attention span is longer and he is better able to stay focused and follow directions in class. He
seems happier and is more interested in painting, drawing and music than he was before. His
handwriting is clearer. He also has a better self-image and shows more confidence in his school
work."
— Kwandao Trujillo, parent, Alamogordo, New Mexico
"Both Oscar and Eduardo are more interested in reading and are more fluent in English. They
speak English at home now more often than Spanish. Both boys have increased their fine motor
skills and coordination. They are better at focusing on task and working to completion."
— Anna Gines, parent, Alamogordo, New Mexico
"Destinies attention span has dramatically improved. She is better able to follow directions. Her
handwriting, self-image, and tolerance level for frustrating situations have improved."
— Selena McCowan, parent, Alamogordo, New Mexico
"My son Joseph attended ALPHA at North Elementary. I would like to say that this program is
amazing. I feel that it has changed my son's life for the better. Before he enrolled in ALPHA he
was drawn away from people and didn't know how to express himself. Joey was also having a
problem concentrating and retaining information. After completing the program, Joey is more
energetic and excited about learning. He enjoys telling us what he has learned for the day, and is
able to retain the information very well. The teachers are telling us how much he has come out of
his shell and he is participating more in class. Around the house, we are not having any problems
with him doing chores, housework or just helping around the house. He is retaining instructions
without having to be told more than once. Joey is also accepting more responsibility and enjoys
taking on challenges."
— William Wittliff, parent, Alamogordo, New Mexico
