“This is incredible” – Special therapy makes Alexander laugh again

Alexander Oberacher saw the daylight six years ago. “When he came to kindergarten, he always withdrew if it was too loud – for example with the music.

One day a speech therapist came from the country, who sometimes also investigated Alexander. As a result, there was a conversation between her, the kindergarten teacher and the head of this facility. “I was told that something was wrong with my son, he was different from the others. Even ADHD was talking. It was all new territory,” says the 47-year-old. Many studies followed, for example in the Innsbruck Clinic. “But nobody has ever found anything.”

Pre -School Teacher brought a special form of therapy into play
The little man came to kindergarten to kindergarten. “There too his teacher told me that something was wrong with Alexander. For example, he had difficulty concentrating in the group. I imposed my hair on, new exams seemed pointless,” she emphasized – and then something that changed. “The teacher presented me an info folder from therapist Dorothee Plattner. We saw that as our chance to help Alexander.”

Reflexes in the early childhood not withdrawn
The first contact between the family and the therapist took place in October 2024. Alexander was tested – successfully! “Finally there was a diagnosis: our son was not completely withdrawn by the early children’s reflexes. And it was confirmed when screening the hearing that he could not optimally process one.”

Here people speak about the Moro reflex. This is a primitive reflex that starts to develop from the 9th week of pregnancy. It must be inhibited around the 6th month of life. If this is not the case, this can affect reading problems.

The further good news: there were therapy approaches that will help Alexander! “On the one hand, this has been the INPP method developed by Dr. Peter Blythe. Based on a developed test and treatment instrument, the factors of Neuromotor Incorrect people can be discovered behind learning, behavior, movement and perception problems in children and adolescents.

Specially adapted listening training
On the other hand, there is the Johansen Audition Stimulation (JIAS), that of Dr. Kjeld Johansen has been developed. “This is an individually adapted hearing training that is aimed at improving hearing perception and processing in particular the ability to hear spoken language clearly and differently; to optimize the filtering of background noises; the distinction of comparable sounds; harmonizing the left-right-old hearing processing,” allows attention, “concentration and learning power.

Simple exercises for home
The family agreed to therapy. “It meant that we had simple exercises at home that we had to do with Alexander for about five minutes every day. Moreover, our son has to listen to music files every day with the help of headphones,” says the 47 -year -old, “In the beginning we had doubts about whether this could work and whether we parents also have the implementation well. And during a car ride – he used to be on his seat.

“I would never find out about these forms of therapy”
In principle, according to the therapist: “The younger the children are and the fewer problems manifest themselves, the faster they achieve the goal. As soon as the early children’s reflexes are inhibited to zero, this remains a lifetime – then the therapy can be ended. We will speak in a year.”

“I would never find out about these two forms of therapy. Because there are no details and the Ögk unfortunately does not accept financial support, although it would be given scientific evidence. That is of course a shame, because I am convinced that many children can be helped with it,” Oberacher emphasizes. Your vision, which is also supported by Plattner: “Both test procedures must be integrated into the second kindergarten year to carry out the training programs if necessary for school – so that each child also gets the chance to experience an easy and joyful start of school. This does not lead to a spiral of frustration.”

“Proof is not enough”
There are two reasons why the ÖGK does not cover the costs of this form of therapy. “We are currently not sufficient for the INPP method and your applications, including listening training.

“Not in the field of responsibility”
Regardless of the evidence situation, the INPP method does not fall within the area of ​​responsibility of the legal health insurance. “According to the provider of the provider, it is primarily development -promoting measures to improve (school) maturity, for example by promoting self -confidence, concentration, empathy or assertiveness. We are not talking about medical treatment within the meaning of the General Social Insurance Act.”

The ÖGK relies on evidence -based care within the meaning of his insured person – “with recognized therapies that are demonstrably effective and medically indicated”.