Amir Tyebally
We chose to put Amir on the sensory stimulation program. This program is based on the concept dating back to the 1930's developed by Dr. Temple Fay, a neuro-surgeon. This is a program whereby the hurt child must be given the opportunity to begin to learn about balance, coordination and mobility in order to give them an opportunity of retraining their own central nervous systems.

Dr. Fay discovered that all children develop along indentical lines, completing several specific stages on their journey to functional maturity. Responsibility for each stage lies with a different level of the brain and if any one of these levels is damaged then the functions associated with this level are impaired and any further progress will be inhibited.

Thus, the principal behind the sensory stimulation program is to provide fresh stimuli to which ever brain level that may be impaired to encourage functional improvements.

The program is based on the fact that our brains have an enormous built-in redundancy factor and few of us use more than 10% of our brain capacity. The stimulation program aims to utilise some of the dormant neurons; in effect, to teach them how to perform the functions of those millions of neurons that have been destroyed and to provide the hurt child with a real future.

To encourage functional improvements of the brain, the child must be given five types of stimuli: sight, hearing, touch, taste and smell. In order to increase central nervous system transmission, the stimulus must be increased in terms of its frequency, intensity and duration. This simply means that one has to stimulate the child often enough (frequency), the stimuli must be strong enough (intensity) and long enough (duration). A comprehensive list of stimulation exercises is carried out to develop six main functions in the child: vision, audio, touch, mobility, language and manual competence.

In addition to developing the six main functions, the program also attempts to enhance the physical environment of the brain to encourage better neurological orgainsation. Amir has been on this program for two years and has made tremendous progress. I know this home program will continue to enhance Amir's development.
Fezia Tyebally, Mother of Amir
Malasia

Ashleigh Collins
Ashleigh was diagnosed "developmentally delayed" at nine months. She went to many doctors, neurologists and pediatricians and was told she would not develop mentally beyond one year and would never walk. At this stage, Ashleigh did not like to be touched, wouldn't laugh or smile, could not roll over, was unable to chew or swallow lumpy food, became very agitated and was generally a very unhappy baby with very little recognition of her surrounding. She was an extremely bad sleeper, never sleeping a full night, She suffered badly with constipation and ear and nose infections, and due to her very weak immune system spent a lot of time in hospital.

We did not want to accept the situation, and by chance, we heard about the Institute for the Achievement of Human Potential. Upon contact, we met Mr Tim Timmermans, who was confident he could help Ashleigh, but to what extent, he could not predict. When we started on the program created by Mr. Timmermans, Asleigh could just sit up and bum shuffle along the floor and was just over two years old.

The program was very hard at first (organising the household, etc.), but once in a routine we managed. Huge commitment is required, focusing on the 'patterning'. Many people feel they cannot do it, but it is possible. I achieved it while also managing to look after my two other children (aged three and one).

After six weeks on the program, Ashleigh's bowl movements where normal due to vitamins prescribed. Within months she could open her hands and touched many things, and her health improved she became much happier. By 12 months on the program she could roll over, crawl on her tummy, hold her own bottle and smile. The patterning was carried out seven days a week and with the help of many friends was not a great burden.

Our local newspaper did an article on Ashleigh - calling for volunteers - the response was wonderful. Ashleigh continued to imporve and hospital visits have become very rare now. Today, after four years on the program, my very special daughter can walk and run, say various words, comprehend almost everything spoken to her and has started normal school.

I can not praise the efforts of the Institute enough. They provided a lifeline to us and gave our family a 'miracle'. Wthout their help our daughter would be in a wheelchair staring into space. In retrospect, life over this period has been very hard but the rewards and love are worth every bit of it.

I would recommend the program to anyone with a disabled child. Although it may seem radical, we have the proof that it works. Remember, dedication and family commitment is a must, but the rewads are beyond measure.
Leanne Collins
New South Wales, Australia