Dealing with intense sensory processing disorder (SPD) child, about to ruin our marriage

[tiredmommy]

My Duckie had her hearing tested last year in conjunction with being evaluated for Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD), which she does not have. What she has, in fact, is "super hearing". She hears down to -15dB whereas a typical child hears down to 0dB. Everything seems loud to her and it effects her reactions to others. Ex: She'll be down in the basement and I'll poke my head into the stairwell and say, clearly "Dinner in five!" and it sounds to her like I'm yelling so loud that I must be angry about something. Meltdown ensues. A child tapping his fingers on a desk during a test is a major distraction.

I can't clearly recall this, but I believe the audiologist that evaluated Duckie said a child must be at least 7 years old to be accurately evaluated for Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD). Also, I would have your daughter's hearing evaluated by an audiologist rather than an ent.

 

[InsaneCdn]

I can't clearly recall this, but I believe the audiologist that evaluated Duckie said a child must be at least 7 years old to be accurately evaluated for Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD). Also, I would have your daughter's hearing evaluated by an audiologist rather than an ent.

There's some variation on that... but we were told the same timeframe... the explanation being that it requires a certain level of maturity to be able to focus on that intensity of a test. It also allows time for ADHD/ADD to show up - and if its there, to be treated... but that is a bit of a catch-22, because Auditory Processing Disorders (APD) can also look like ADHD.

Don't take her to a regular audiologist, either... make sure the person doing the testing is familiar with the full spectrum of APDs.

 

[InsaneCdn]

More ideas...
For music... try some musician's earplugs. These do not block out OR distort the sound, but do cut the decibel level.
For test taking... try an ipod or something with very soft background music that she likes, and sound-cancelling headphones.

 

[tiredmommy]

I agree that a specialist is of paramount importance. We are fortunate to have a leading national specialist in our area. She actually has set up many of the academic and training programs for Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD) specialists. She smiled broadly when giving me some initial results (written report was to follow) and said that Duckie doesn't have a problem discerning sounds and paying attention to the appropriate sound but just finds it all too loud!

 

[Buglover]

What is Auditory Processing Disorders (APD)? Auditory processing disorder? What is Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD)?

 

[tiredmommy]

Central Auditory Processing Disorder.

 

[InsaneCdn]

Depending on who you talk to, the two terms overlap, or they refer to the same thing.
In our part of the world, specialists take the first approach... Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD) is used to refer to difficulties processing verbal language, while Auditory Processing Disorders (APD) is used for ALL difficulties processing sound, whether it is a language problem or not. Others... use Auditory Processing Disorders (APD) for everything, and language processing is just a different sub-type.

Auditory processing disorders are NOT a hearing problem. It's all about what the brain does with those sounds.

 

[TerryJ2]

Wow, that's quite an advanced curriculum!!! I would crash and burn on tests, too.

right dosage for YOUR CHILD. If you get there? they are NOT "drugged".

I agree. There's a huge difference.

 

[Buglover]

OK, well I definitely do suspect that Auditory Processing Disorders (APD) is what she has, I didn't even realize I took her to and ENT and not an audiologist, duh. No wonder he couldnt test her for super hearing, I knew she probably had it, she can hear everything. TerryJ2 do you think that is an advanced curriculum? it sure seems hard to me, but what do I remember...not much really except that 1st grade was addition/subtraction. Dont remember fractions but I know we didn't learn skip counting til 3rd grade. Definitely don't think i had to graph things in 1st grade.

Insane: yes, thats what I thought, it isn't an ear problem, its a nervous system response to sound that is the problem. I cant stand high pitched or loud noises either, can't even imagine the torture of being stuck in a room listening to 6 year olds banging on cymbals, that would make me crazy in 2 seconds.

Tired mommy how did you get her environment quiet enough for her? We already bought a bigger/better laid out house with two bedroom s combined for her (wall between was removed), so she has a huge, carpeted quiet room and we can already see the difference in her ability to finish homework without fidgeting, etc. How do you control the school environment?

 

[tiredmommy]

You can only make an environment so quiet. She does have earplugs with her if she feels she needs them and has a small stress ball that she keeps in the teacher's desk so the other students don't get a hold of it. The key was desensitizing her a bit so she didn't feel under attack most of the time. Her senses were revved up pretty high. Our Occupational Therapist (OT) prescribed the Wilbarger protocol which consists of brushing her limbs and torso with a small surgical brush and doing a series of joint compressions. We did a 6 week treatment starting five times a day for week, then four, then three, an so on. It helped to regulate the sensory input she receiving and being overwhelmed by and it's made a huge difference. We would tune her up with a quick session now and again when she was getting tensed up, but we haven't had to do that in months.

You may also want to look into a sensory diet for her (meaning she does an activity that delivers specific sensory input like swinging or playing with clay) or a weighted vest/blanket to help her decompress.

 

[busywend]

My difficult child did best in school when she was allowed to have a cd player with ear plugs on if it was not lesson time. So, as soon as the teacher stopped instructing she put them in and turned on the music. That was the only way to focus.

 

[Buglover]

Busywend I can't find earbuds that will fit her ears, but I ordered her child sized pink headphones for her DS and music. Have you ever seen child sized earbuds? I wonder if they would let her listen to white noise, like the ocean, at school.

Tired Mommy its good to hear the desensitization helped your daughter. I have been pretty worried about how much noise/other kids fidgeting distracts her. Her teacher says its quiet in the room, but even another kid shuffling papers will make it impossible for her to concentrate. I could even stop by and have lunches wih her and do joint compressions or brushing or whatever, if she needed it.

 

[buddy]

if you can get an IEP or even a 504 plan, things like using the ear phones are accommodations you write in that they must use. (of course we all know people dont follow the rules, but many do...here we often talk of the problems because of course that is what we need support on, but there are times things go right! )

I have bought those noise cancelling ear phones for Q and even if not connected to music he will put them on with the little shhhh sound in there it helps him. You can buy noise protection head phones for small ones too...

For accommodations while most kids are kept in the dark for fire drills etc... have it put that she must have warning (someone would help her out in a real fire so no worries that it will increase danger, the chance of her having a meltdown over the alarm is probably way higher than the chance of a real fire anyway)... and the teachers must put on the noise protection and give her a fidget or some form of security before the drill. They can practice this with her before it ever happens. (if this is not an issue for her, please ignore, smile)

I wanted to say...WOW When I saw what you did for her in your home.... really cool

 

[Buglover]

well regarding the home, that is part of why we are so stressed, trying to get the other ready to rent out. Thankfully the housing market is perfect for this right now. Plus dds little dog freaked out over the move and started barking a lot, the last thing a kid with over responsive hearing needs. Little dog (Peep) has mellowed out, I think he will be ok, we really did not want to have to give him back since he is a calming aspect in her life. He lays on her bed with her all the time. We have written in her IEP (didn't know what it was called) that she has to be warned prior to fire drills. I will definitely try that with the headphones/white noise, I do think it would help her tremendously.

 

[InsaneCdn]

I wonder if they would let her listen to white noise, like the ocean, at school.

First I ever heard about it was at school... they asked permission to try this (about grade 2 or so). It is definitely a reasonable accommodation. Especially if only parents or school staff can load the sound files. The school we were at only used full head-phones - less concern about "fit".