Thank you for your interest!
This site provides information to those who are considering being a part of the first study of how Autistic Spectrum and Related Disorders respond to the BodyTalk System, which is a natural and holistic health care system. This study is being conducted by independent Certified BodyTalk Practitioners.
Since its inception in the early 1990's, the BodyTalk System has helped many individuals regain their health and well-being through BodyTalk sessions. Their stories are inspiring and include individuals diagnosed with Autism Spectrum and Related Disorders who have improved dramatically. However, there is a need for empirical evidence showing the effectiveness of BodyTalk when used for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders. The purpose of this study is to fill that empirical evidence.
The Hanson family of Rolla, North Dakota, has seen first-hand the dramatic changes BodyTalk sessions can make in the life of someone on the Autism Spectrum. Both of their older daughters, Esther and Sarah, were diagnosed on the spectrum and both have had amazing results using the BodyTalk System. It is because of this personal experience with BodyTalk and how it can help those on the autism spectrum that the Hansons are conducting this study. They are willing to donate their time and expertise to further the treatment of Autism Spectrum and Related Disorders. The Hansons are hopeful that the families of children on the spectrum will be equally as generous with their time to assist them by participating in this study to benefit all on the spectrum. The Hansons cannot guarantee that participants of this study will experience the same results as their daughters.
To Apply:
To apply for your child(ren) to be included in this study, please go to the Contact Us page and fill out the contact information including name(s), age(s), and diagnosis of your child(ren) in the comment area of the form.
UPDATE: Currently we have half the number of participants needed. A tentative start date of May, 2011 has been selected. If you wish to be included in this study please apply NOW.
All names submitted will be kept confidential. If your child is not selected for the study, you will be notified as to the reason, and, with your consent, your child's name will be placed on a contact list for future studies.
BodyTalk is a safe, gentle, holistic, natural health method which does not involve any needling, physical manipulations, adjustments, massage, medications, supplements, salves, or other products. BodyTalk is not a religion and its techniques and procedures are not based on any particular religion, creed, sect or culture. BodyTalk does not diagnose, treat, prescribe or promise to cure any particular illness, disease or disorder. BodyTalk is intended to enhance relaxation, to increase communication and awareness within the bodymind complex and to support overall wellness. BodyTalk is not a substitute for medical treatment or medications.
Particulars of the study:
This study will run for a total of 20 weeks. Families will only need to report for 10 weeks of the study. Families will need to supply a photo, health history, social history and specifics about their child’s autism and all necessary release forms. All children’s and families' information will be kept confidential and protected. Case numbers will be used to identify each child in the study and for publication purposes. No personal identification will ever be used outside the study office.
Individuals who will be accepted into this study will be:
- Those who are between the ages of 3 and 21
- Those with a primary diagnosis on the autism spectrum
- Those who were diagnosed by January of 2010
- Those who have NEVER had a BodyTalk session before
- Those who will agree to not change their current treatments or interventions or add any new treatments/interventions for the 20 weeks of the study
- Those whose family has Internet access and are comfortable completing in-home assessment check lists
- Those whose family can read and speak English at the 8th-grade level or above
- Those whose family will release data from the study for publication without any identifying information of their child.
Forty individuals and 6 alternates will be accepted into the study. (Please see the requirements above.) Ten of the 40 will then be randomly selected to be the control group which will not receive any BodyTalk. The remaining 30 will receive 15 distance BodyTalk sessions (sessions where practitioner and client are not in the same physical location) during the 10-week reporting period. Families will not know what days their child is receiving a session or if their child is in the control group until the study is completed.
Some may be put off by the need for a control group for this study. To do this study in the most scientific manner possible we MUST have a control group so that the true effects of BodyTalk can be known. Currently most efficacy data about BodyTalk is from individual case studies without the use of a control, double blind or randomness to counter any placebo effect and ensure that the information is unbiased. This study could be ground-breaking and pivotal for the treatment of Autism Spectrum and Related Disorders.
Some may be baffled by the use of distance sessions. This is necessary to minimize the time, expense and effort each family must expend to be part of this study. Also, this is to minimize the inevitable human preference, prejudice, bias or placebo effect with increased exposure between BodyTalk practitioners and participants/families. The practitioners must remain as neutral toward all participants as possible to ensure that the data is objective and unbiased. Distance sessions are a well-established mode for sessions in BodyTalk, as well as many other of the energy medicine practices, and just as effective as in-person sessions. If you do not like the idea of distance sessions, you are not appropriate for this study. Do put in your contact information so you can be considered for future in-person studies. Note in the contact information that you are not willing to accept distance sessions.
During the selection process, applicant familieswill need to listen to/watch a telewebinar presentation online (Approx 1 hour) explaining BodyTalk, the study, and what will be required of families to be included in the study. Once all participants are selected, the start date of the study will be announced, and all the necessary forms and envelopes will be mailed out to the families. Families will then be required to watch/listen to a second telewebinar (about 30 minutes) for training on how to complete the necessary forms, report problems, contact the study office and understand overall expectations of the study. Inclusion in this study does not guarantee results.
For 10 of the 20 weeks, families will need to fill out a short daily journal and weekly behavioral check list and mail these each Friday to the study office. All forms, journals, check lists, envelopes and postage will be provided. Families will not be required to purchase any materials or equipment or to do any at home treatments. There will be no cost to the participants or their families. If you believe you will not be able to, or are not willing to, fill out a journal entry daily and a checklist on a weekly basis, please DO NOT apply for a spot in this study. Families who do not send in the journal and checklist for any two weeks during the study will be immediately dropped from the study and not considered for future studies unless there were urgent circumstances. Alternates will be selected to fill spaces vacated by participants not sending in their data sheets in a timely manner.
At the completion of the study, we will share the final report with the participant families. Each family will receive a CD recording of their child's sessions. Those who were in the control group will be notified. As long as the majority of those receiving sessions showed gains, those who were in the control group will be given the option of receiving 15 sessions, as long as the family will agree to again fill out the daily check lists and journal.
Once this study has been completed, this website will become a location for people to read the results of the study. Hopefully the results of the study will be published in several newsletters, journals and magazines. As with everything in life, inclusion in this study does not guarantee results.
There will be no obligation for any of the families to continue BodyTalk sessions after the completion of the study.
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