I posted this on the main forum then realized it probably belongs here...

My DD has always hated loud noises- toilets flushing, vacuums, etc and cries when anyone else cries or yells. We thought she was just sensitive but today the ped referred her to OT for eval and additional hearing screening for possible hypersensitivity to sound, a sensory processing disorder.

I started googling sensory processing disorders and got overwhelmed.

Has anyone else dealt with sound related SPD? Is there something the OT can do to help her?

TIA,

Trudy

I was going to post a similar question... My DD is the same, can manage loud noises unless they are unexpected. This weekend we had the chimney on and the the sound of the wood burning made her real nervous... What happens to your DD when she listens to these loud noises? Mine looks scared, and wants to be hugged...

Im very interested in reading other mommie´s experience with this, Im about to take her to a neurologist...

Monique
Mom to 26.5wk triplets, born 09/14/06
^Nicole^
^Daniel^
Nathalie

My DD covers her ears and cowers and cries hysterically- long after the noise is gone. It is really hard to calm her down, she holds on like she is terrified- I feel so bad for her. She will have her OT in a couple weeks and then I will know more. Good luck with your DD,

Trudy

All three of my kids were treated for sensory issues. They got OT from about age 20 months to age 3 through Early Intervention. It was a life saver! My daughter was highly sensitive to sound. Certain sounds would just cause her to completely melt down. The OT really really helped.

She is now 6 years old and in Kindergarten. She still doesn't like loud noises, but does not have the hysterical reactions that used to be a common occurrence. She will tell me sometimes that a place is loud, or react by either getting quiet and withdrawing a little, or getting really really silly. The only time she got a "blue card" in Kindergarten was the day her brother threw up and had to come home, so she was already probably a little upset, and then the fire alarm went off because someone burned popcorn in the teacher's microwave. They had to evacuate until the firemen cleared the building. Her report that day said "singing, laughing and talking at inappropriate times". I guess that was her way of coping!

One book I would highly recommend is The Out of Sync Child. It explains about sensory issues and gives things you can do to help. There is a companion book called "The Out of Sync Child at Play" that is also wonderful. It had activities for all different sensory issues that you can do at home. Another great book is Sensational Kids: Hope and Help for Children with Sensory Processing Disorder by Ph.D, OTR, Lucy Jane Miller and Doris A. Fuller. I also like the magazine at this website http://www.sifocus.com/

The best thing you can do is learn as much as you can about sensory issues. The more you know and understand, the better you will be able to help your child. You will also learn all kinds of things you can do at home that will help. We do have some strange rules in our house - for instance I don't mind if they take all the cushions off the furniture and "crash" into them on the floor as it is great for my propiseptic overseeking son. One son has standing permission to spit food in the trashcan as he has oral sensitivity and that rule got him to try all kinds of new foods. And my daughter sometimes wears her earmuffs around, though at this point I think it is more of a fashion statement than a need to buffer her ears. I still have to catch myself sometimes and ask myself "is this a discipline issue, a sensory issue, or both". At this point I most often lean towards a discipline issue, but occasionally can really see the sensory stuff, especially if they are tired or in a new environment. The therapy made a huge difference. When I mention their sensory issues to their teachers, they say "we never would have known if you didn't tell us" because they are soooo much better now!

Katie

Trudy,
2 of my children have hypersensitivity to noises. They both attended OT sessions for over a year. About 18 months ago, both of them were diagnosed with Aspergers syndrome. Both of them also have ADHD. I'd look into those possabilities too.

Korrie, MOM to triplets ^i^Jack,Robin & Abby Grace and singletons, McLean & Henry

Korrie~
^i^B/G/G 24 w 3d,1/17/00
B 10/31/01
B 1/27/03

<a href="http://lilypie.com"><img src="" alt="Lilypie Kids birthday Ticker" border="0" /></a>

I wanted to add...for my son what helped him was to wear ear protectors. He had a pair that looked like the ones they wear at the airport. You know the guys who land the planes? He wore them to a baseball game with my dad and I (he didn't like the sound of the ball hitting a wooden bat, nor the people going up and down metal bleachers) and an adult behind us made fun of him! (jerk) I told the guy if he wanted I could take them off my son and let him listen to my child scream the rest of the game....
My son doesn't use them anymore. He's pretty good with loud noises now as long as they are expected.
There's a couple of books called "The Out of Sync Child" and " the Out of Sync Child has Fun."

hope this helps

Korrie~

I would be sure to have your kid's hearing tested. My son has a mild hearing loss and has some sensitivity to sound. The newborn hearing screens don't catch everyone.
Amy

Amy
Garrett, Michael, Nicholas
32 weeks 4 days
6/9/05