October 2005 | Whole Health
Uncommon Healer
by Nancy Ging
Practitioner Profile
Who: Carol Pruim, Director, Sensory Learning Center
Quick Take: Carol Pruim is a passionate seeker who has brought the unique combination of sound, light and motion therapy to Chicago. This potent trinity offers great help for children and adults with learning disabilities, attention problems, mood disorders and brain injuries. The Sensory Learning Program was created by Mary Bolles of Colorado. Many forms of neurological disorganization can be lessened without medication through this non-invasive procedure. People have come from as far as Italy for this innovative treatment.
Old vs New: While medication has continued to be the predominant treatment for learning disabilities and neurological problems, there are new technologies available such as sound and light therapies, and greater knowledge of the nutritional deficits that are often present among individuals with neurological and emotional problems. What is new about this particular technology is the combination of sound, light and motion offered concurrently so that the visual, vestibular and auditory systems are all treated together and harmonized.
Knowing the Difference: “Sound and light therapy is quite popular and available these days. But when you add the moving table on which the client lies comfortably while watching colored lights and sounds that gently fluctuate, there is a world of difference,” said Pruim. This is the only therapy that combines all three. She also said the effectiveness of probiotics added to the diet cannot not be overestimated. While nutritional supplementation is not a formal part of the Sensory Learning Program, Pruim believes that it enhances its effectiveness.
Biggest Myth: People think they or their children are stuck forever with severe imbalances in their central nervous system or feel they will always need medication. Yet concentration can be enhanced and there can be a decrease or desensitization of hyper-sensitivities of all kinds. Coordination can improve, as well as social interaction and the ability to learn. Even speech can improve. “If you keep looking, you are going to find help beyond medication and surgery,” said Pruim.
Case Study: One young man, now fully functional — in the academic, social, and athletic arenas — went for many years before he experienced a dramatic recovery with the Sensory Learning Program. He screamed during his infancy and toddler years, had great anxiety with hand flapping, lack of eye contact and a multitude of learning disabilities. When he was 8, doctors began prescribing various medications that did little to help. All the doctors could do was increase those medications, which are typically used in treating ADD and mood disorders. He was also diagnosed as having obsessive compulsive disorder, oppositional defiant disorder and bipolar disorder.
When he was 13, psychiatrists told his parents, “Start looking for institutions for your son.” But now, he’s college-bound.
Personal Profile: Pruim initially worked in health information management in hospitals. During the first trimester of one of her pregnancies, she said, she intuitively “knew” something was wrong after she had a flu shot. After that child was diagnosed with pervasive developmental disorder on the autism spectrum, she found the Sensory Learning Program. For the past three years, Pruim has treated children and adults. She lives in the northwest suburbs with her four children.
Her office is located in Oak Brook, Ill. She can be reached at 630-572-1234, or oakbrook.sensorylearning.com.
Nancy Ging, A.C.S.W., L.C.S.W., is a Chicago-area holistic psychotherapist, consultant and author.
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