Over the last few weeks, Matthew has developed sound sensitivities (which he's never had before). He screams/cries and shakes uncontrollably when he hears certain noises such as a neighbor using a saw, his ABA therapist deflating a balloon, and today her cell phone going off on vibrate mode. Usually he doesn't give an explanation, but today he told her it was a bumble bee going to bite him. After it went off he was petrified of her bag so she took everything out and put the bag on her head to show him it was safe but when we tried calling her cell later he freaked out again. He even got upset when the phone played a song. So now Matthew is scared of her cell and says "bye sound" to make it go away. Anyone out there have experience with this? (P.S. She didn't want her face in the pic.)
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
New Sound Sensitivities
Over the last few weeks, Matthew has developed sound sensitivities (which he's never had before). He screams/cries and shakes uncontrollably when he hears certain noises such as a neighbor using a saw, his ABA therapist deflating a balloon, and today her cell phone going off on vibrate mode. Usually he doesn't give an explanation, but today he told her it was a bumble bee going to bite him. After it went off he was petrified of her bag so she took everything out and put the bag on her head to show him it was safe but when we tried calling her cell later he freaked out again. He even got upset when the phone played a song. So now Matthew is scared of her cell and says "bye sound" to make it go away. Anyone out there have experience with this? (P.S. She didn't want her face in the pic.)
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9 comments:
Hi Cyndi,
Jen looks cute with a bag on her head...
Helena developed sound sensitivities as well, but over time she has tolerated noise more and more. She still has sound issues (like with the vacuum running or the lawnmower)but now she removes herself from the situation.
One interesting thing you made me think of, though. You need to be sure when you start doing IEPs for Matthew that you include these sensitivities and make sure they are accounted for in the IEP.
Thomas
My experience with C is sound sensitivities come and go. He finds his own way of tolerating noise mainly removing himself and as you know his fingers are permanently in his ears. You can get ear defenders ( C wont wear them) but i think Matthew is a bit young to resort to those as yet.
Tolerance may come with more understanding.
Hope it is just a phase!
Are you a part of the GFCF Kids yahoo group? I bet they could help you with the sound sensitivities issue. We haven't had too many issues with this, Nathan's bigger problem is bright lights like the sun for example! :)
When anything like that crops up for Jacob, we use a behavioral approach on it. We'd break the phone ringing down into components and reward him for tolerating each one. Hope that makes sense...
Peter was horrified of the gym at school. We never knew if it was the lighting, the sounds, or whatever. Like most other issues, it ended abruptly one day. Another child took him by the hand and walked him in - and he was fine ever since. It was the talk of the preschool; "Peter is in the gym! Peter is in the gym!"
It just might pass, Cyndi!
David
A few years ago we did Berard AIT in McLean with Susan Glaub. It helped my children for several years. No more covering the ears and screaming when I ran the vacuum or some other thing that upset them.
We are starting to see the sensitivity again. She warned us that often children will need the therapy again.
We paid for it, but I do have a friend who got it covered by Tricare.
Good luck!
Betsy
This happened to Austin too. He was always perfectly fine with any noise except the vacuum & blender but it's gotten worse and he hates lots of noises now; lawn mowers, certain commercials, other kids talking to loud, it varies. He also plugs his ears but it really doesn't help him b/c he still screams and cries. I read about listening therapy and am hoping to find more about it when we get an OT.
Cindy,
For sound sensitivity, look into auditory processing therapy. Dynamic Development in Bethesda, MD. Jonathan did 8 loops of Tomatis and it greatly helped.
Alex.
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