Sequencing Lickity-Split!

Sequencing In A Flash systematically increases visual and/or auditory processing levels with daily use.  By using Sequencing In A Flash twice a day for two minutes, you can increase short term memory, attention span, and reading comprehension; as well as improve behavior, social skills and the ability to follow directions. Sequencing In A Flash systematically increases visual and/or auditory processing levels with daily use. During a visual sequencing session, a set amount of numbers (set by the user) are displayed on the screen for approximately 3 seconds and then removed. Once the numbers are no longer visible, the user is given the opportunity to input the numbers in the exact order that they were originally displayed. With daily work, the ability to retain visual information is increased. During an auditory sequencing session, a set amount of numbers will be spoken at approximately 1 second intervals. Subsequently, the user will have the opportunity to input the numbers in the exact order that they were originally spoken. With daily work, auditory process skills will increase, giving the user the ability to listen better, retain auditory information and have better comprehension of reading material. A correct response is rewarded with praise, or this feature can be turned off.  View an online demonstration!

What is Auditory Sequencing?

In “What Every Parent Should Know About Auditory Processing”, auditory processing is defined as the ability to sequentially hold multiple pieces of auditory information together.  This ability is a person’s auditory short term memory and refers to information coming into the brain and then coming immediately out.  Each person’s auditory processing ability has a global affect on their lives and functional capabilities.  Auditory processing is vital for picking up on social cues, following a conversation, reading comprehension skills, following directions, attending, ability to read with the phonetic approach, and many other skills needed to be successful in school and life.  Behavior is also greatly influenced by one’s auditory functioning.  To read more about auditory processing and the neurodevelopmental approach, visit Little Giants Steps.

What is Visual Sequencing?

Visual sequencing is the ability to sequentially remember multiple things that you see, exactly the way that you saw them.  This ability is a person’s visual short term memory and refers to information coming into the brain through the sense of vision and then coming immediately out.   If you were to see the number 1 5 8 7 3 and then no longer were able to see it, would you be able to remember it?   The ability to visually sequence on an appropriate level helps an individual with spelling, and other visually oriented skills.

What is “age appropriate” sequencing?

Up until the age of 7, a person’s sequencing skills should match their age.  A two year old should be able to remember a sequence of two – whether using the sense of vision or the sense of hearing.  If were to show a two year old a picture of a bunny and a picture of a dog, and then cover the pictures up, the child should be able to tell you what each picture was, in the order that you showed the pictures to the child.  This is visually sequencing on a level of two.  If you told a four year old to stand up, turn around, clap and jump, the child should be able to remember all of the directions given and do them in that exact order.  This is auditorialy sequencing on a level four.   An adult should be capable of sequencing, at the least, at a level of 7 both visually and auditorially.   Functioning below the proper sequencing level for age can cause many different problems such as reading comprehension difficulty, short attention span, interrupting other’s when they speak for fear of forgetting what you want to say,  problems with phonetic reading, disorganization in life, and many other things. 

How does one know their current sequencing levels?

To determine current sequencing levels, a new user will simply click on “Visual Sequencing” and/or “Auditory Sequencing” on the Main Menu page of Sequencing In A Flash.  The default settings of the program will move the user up to the next sequencing level when they answer 3 sequences correctly on the first try.  When the user gets to a point where they miss 2 out of 3 sequences, they will be moved down to the next lower level.   The level that the user is moved down to is the level at which the user is currently functioning.  At this point, the settings need to be adjusted.  From the main menu, the user will select the “settings” menu.   At this point, the user can choose to allow repeats, allow bridging, set the number of correct answers necessary to move to the next level, set the number of incorrect responses allowed before moving to a lower level, turn sound off and on, as well as set the number of sequences to do during a session OR set a timer.

Why do most people function below an age appropriate auditory processing level?

Our society is very visually oriented.  We are inundated day and night by visual stimuli such as billboards, TV’s, video games, computers, etc.   In this day and age, people rarely JUST listen to anything.  As a society, listening skills have dramatically decreased since the invention of the TV.  Children and adults alike would rather watch TV or a video than listen to a story tape or read a book.   Due to this lack of interest in just listening, we are losing the ability to listen.  This effects our lives, and our children’s lives in many, many different ways such as picking up on social cues, following a conversation, reading comprehension skills, following directions, attending, the ability to read with the phonetic approach, and many other skills needed to be successful in school and life.  Behavior is also greatly influenced by one’s auditory functioning. 

Does a person’s low processing level mean that a person has low intelligence?

No.  A person can be very intelligent and yet struggle with reading, social skills, behavior problems, lack of short term memory, and many other things simply because they are not functioning at an age appropriate sequencing level. 

Can a person’s sequencing level be improved?

Absolutely!  By using Sequencing In A Flash just twice a day for two minutes, auditory and visual sequencing can be improved.   Sequencing In A Flash is not a glitzy, flashy game, but a learning tool to help increase each individual’s potential.    The improvements that you see in daily life can truly be remarkable.   It can be hard and sometimes slow work, but the benefits are well worth the effort. 

If my child has special needs, or learning difficulties, can they still benefit from improving auditory and visual sequencing levels?

Absolutely!  Increasing a child’s sequencing levels can make all the difference in the world in regards to their quality of living.  Higher sequencing levels increase attention spans, help with reading comprehension, help with learning to read using phonics, often decrease emotionality, increase short term memory, increase the ability to follow directions and help a child to be more neurologically organized.  To learn more about the neurodevelopmental approach and how it can help your child, please visit www.littlegiantsteps.com. 

How does Sequencing In A Flash work?

Once a person’s visual sequencing and auditory sequencing levels have been determined, the program will work to increase the sequencing levels while providing encouragement.  If a user’s current auditory level is a 4, then the program will slowing say 4 numbers with an approximately one second pause between each number.  Once all of the numbers have been spoken, the user will type the numbers into the computer in the exact order that they heard them.  The program will move a user up to the next level, or down to a lower level, based on user defined settings.  The user can define different settings for up to 5 users.  When a user gets the defined number of sequences correct, the program will move that user up to the next level.   If a user misses too many sequences, the program will move the user down to the next lower level.   With continued work, the brain will increase it’s ability to sequence on higher levels. 

What settings does the user have control over?

1. Auditory sequencing level.
2. Visual sequencing level.
3. Number of repetitions to do during a session, OR set the amount of time a session will last.
4. Allow bridging*.
5. Allow repeats**.
6. Sound***.
7. Number of correct answers needed to move to the next level.
8. Number of incorrect responses allowed before moving to a lower level. 

*Bridging:  If a user has currently mastered a level 4 sequence, but is having difficulty achieving a level 5 sequence, the user could choose to allow bridging.  The program would give a level 4 sequence, followed by the exact same sequence plus one extra number (which would be a level 5 sequence).  This helps to “bridge” the gap between levels, making the program less frustrating for users. 

**Allow repeats:  If the user chooses to allow repeats, then each missed sequence will be repeated one time.   This is a technique similar to bridging, which helps a person move from a level they have mastered to a new level which is difficult. 

***Sound.  The user may choose to turn off the “sound reward” that sounds when a correct response is given.  Adults and older young people may desire to be free from sound rewards.  This option does not turn off sound in the auditory sequencing sessions.