B-Calm Device finding use for Autistic Children

Ken Budke created a noise-canceling head gear called B-Calm

   for autistic children with sensory issues

‎"My goal is not to find the cause or cure for autism, but to find a better quality of life for those with it," said Budke
 who also started a non-profit, Champions of Autism, to promote awareness. "We know this will not work on every child,
 but for those that it does help, it can be a blessing."

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa --- Mornings in the Hooper house are getting better.

Melissa Hooper, an Ankeny mother, used to spend hours getting her son Jaxon, 7, to fall asleep at night. The late nights translated to early morning battles and long days. The nail tech brought up her problem during a salon appointment and was pleased to hear of a potential solution.

Jo Aukes, an Ankeny special education teacher, had seen great success using an audio sedation system with her students, namely those on the autism spectrum or with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. While using the device, designed by retired Cedar Falls dentist Ken Budke and built by Curtis Carroll, an Ankeny mechanical engineer, Aukes's students were able to concentrate on school work or simply enjoy activities, like eating lunch, with their classmates.

Aukes offered to loan Hooper a set of the b-Calm headphones and soundtrack. Most nights, her son now falls asleep within 10 minutes of his head hitting the pillow.

"It is amazing. I was absolutely skeptical. We've tried everything and you will try anything when you are fighting with a kid to get him to sleep for two hours," said Hooper, whose son has ADHD. The handheld audio sedation device blends noise masking signals with live recording of natural environments. A similar device was first released in January 2008 for Budke's dental patients. He realized the device might have further reaching potential when an autistic patient found comfort in the chair and at home while wearing the headset.

"My goal is not to find the cause or cure for autism, but to find a better quality of life for those with it," said Budke, who also started a non-profit, Champions of Autism, to promote awareness. "We know this will not work on every child, but for those that it does help, it can be a blessing."

An area foundation recently contacted Budke and offered to pay for up to 50 units that could be donated to local families who might benefit from the headgear. Budke said the units are most likely to help those with noise sensory issues.

"We want to give them these headsets with the hope of reuniting the child with the family," Budke said, adding that many children with noise sensory sensitivities are unable to participate in family outings, like eating at a restaurant.

Budke said if the units work at home he hopes parents also will try to get them included in their child's individualized education plan. Aukes does progress monitoring for her students who use the devices and has seen positive results when the headgear is used.

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