Dr. Guy Berard shared in his book, Hearing Equals Behavior, “The truth manages to emerge only when something new and unexpected can by fully exposed to study, discussion, and argument, and accepted or refuted on that basis.” Although In-Home Berard-based A.I.T. formal clinical trials have not been completed, there are case studies and testimonials from clients and Berard Practitioners from around the world. Dr. Berard wrote, “…the search, conducted with a willingness to see what is there, is a never-ending adventure, with the richest of rewards.” (pg.94) These rewards have been experienced by numerous families who have benefited from Berard A.I.T. In-home programs. With advances in technology, in-home programs have been successfully implemented throughout the world, since 2004. This has been particularly important for clients who would not have been able to recieve A.I.T. in an office setting due to time, distance, and cost.
The Autism Research Institute has researched the effectiveness of the Berard Auditory Integration Training program, which is posted on their website http://www.autism.com/ Enter in the search bar (Auditory Integration Training) & choose #4
Their website states: “Response to ASHA’s Working Group Report on Auditory Integration Training Share Response to ASHA’s Working Group Report on Auditory Integration Training In August, 2003 The ASHA Leader published a biased, incomplete and inaccurate report on Auditory Integration Training \(AIT\) by an ASHA Working Group on AIT\. Our response was rejected…“
“The Autism Research Institute (ARI) was instrumental in bringing auditory integration training (AIT) to the U.S. In the late 1970’s and early 1980’s, ARI’s Director, Bernard Rimland, heard positive reports from parents in the U.S. who had taken their autistic son/daughter to Annecy, France to receive AIT from Guy Berard, M.D., a pioneer in the development of AIT. Dr. Rimland hosted a visit to the U.S. by Dr. Berard, as well as visiting him in France to discuss AIT’s application to autism. In the early 1990’s, Dr. Rimland and his colleague, Steve Edelson, Ph.D., conducted the first empirical study on the efficacy of AIT in autism; the results were quite promising (Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 1995). They have published two additional studies which also showed positive effects from AIT (American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 1994; Focus on Autism and Developmental Disorders,1999).”
Researchers are presently trying to understand its effectiveness in improving auditory processing using neurology based methods. It is one of the few recommended programs for individuals with Autism and Central Auditory Processing Disorders due to audiometric testing used to individualize each listening program for clients.