METHOD
12-week Cortical Integrative Therapy program
RESULTS
At the conclusion of the 12-week treatment program, B.R. showed considerable gains in his ability to understand directions as noted by an independent examiner, a school psychologist. His overall academic performance, as noted by his classroom teachers and parents, was also significantly improved especially in the areas of reading comprehension, listening skills, oral expression, and global motor development. Of perhaps greater significance, his speech is easier to understand, if slightly slower and more melodic. In addition, his perceptual motor skills and fine motor coordination seem to have substantially improved.
DISCUSSION
Smith-Lemli-Opitz Syndrome is often associated with serious impediment to academic success. B.R. had been stymied throughout his academic career by this disability and his quality of life was severely restricted. But when a multimodal approach using techniques aimed at facilitating inter-hemispheric communication was provided, evidence was produced to indicate that when such techniques are applied, the prospect of indirect neuronal or network modulation occurring as cortical pathways are stimulated becomes a real possibility worthy of further investigation. In addition, there are valuable intangibles effecting quality of life. Prior to participation in Cortical Integrative Therapy, B.R. often grew frustrated with simple homework tasks and academic work. He was reduced to gestures to be understood much of the time. His speech and motor control is now significantly improved, and he is less frustrated while communicating.