Do You Hear What I Hear?
Children and adults with hypersensitivity, distortions or delays in hearing hear differently than “typical” hearing and yet don’t always realize these differences. Georgiana Stehli, recovered autistic, said when interviewed on the TV show “20/20”, that she had no idea that others didn’t hear the same way, she just thought they could ‘handle the loudness better’ than she could.
On a recent Oprah show (Feb 18, 2011) Zach an interesting articulate child, would fly into uncontrollable, violent rages. He said he felt assailed by negative forces at those times, and he had learned to shield himself by surrounding himself with white light. He was finally diagnosed by a psychiatrist with Sensory Integration Disorder including extremely sensitive hearing.
The book by Karen Foli, “Like Sound Through Water” describes the difficulty of finally getting a correct diagnosis (and then treatment) for her son’s Auditory
Processing Disorder.
We only know our own experience and it is especially hard for a child to describe what and how they hear sounds. We tend to think everyone hears, sees or feels they way we do and yet, those with sensory issues and distortions do not. Of course, when a person is overloaded by their senses, it can affect mood and
behaviors. We have all experienced the feeling of being overwhelmed at times. Imagine if you felt this way all the time, or randomly and never know when it’s coming. How scary or negative the world can seem.
As a parent, you know your child the best. Spend time getting a feel for how your child is experiencing their senses and trust your inner knowing. Sensory issues are only recently being recognized as conditions to be addressed except by the rare few such as Dr. Berard who identified that distortions and sensitivity could be a problem. Dr. Oliver Sack’s has also been at the forefront of identifying sensory distortions.
Children let us know, sometimes with words but often by behavior. If your child is uncomfortable, there may be a real reason to get them help.
Children let us know, sometimes with words but often by behavior. If your child is uncomfortable, there may be a real reason to get them help.
Sarah Gewanter, MSW, LCSW is a highly skilled Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Hypnotherapist and Certified Berard Auditory Integration Training Practitioner and Educator. She attended Columbia University in NY and has over thirty years experience in the field, having helped thousands of clients worldwide.
Programs of interest:
The Oprah Show 2/18/11:
http://www.oprah.com/oprahshow/Children-Dealing-with-Violent-Rage/1
Related Books:
Hearing Equals Behavior- 1993 Keats Publishing, by Guy Berard, M.D.
Like Sound Through Water- 2002 Pocket Books by Karen Foli
Sound of a Miracle 1991 Doubleday by Annabel Stehli:
The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat, 1985 Touchstone Books
by Oliver Sacks, M.D.
Musicophilia, 2007 Knopf by Oliver Sacks, M.D.
LETTER FROM A PARENT...
An update received in Jan. 2010 about “Ben the Chef” who was featured in our newsletter of May 2008: You can read the article by clicking the link below.
http://aithelps.com/newsletters/2008-05.php
Benjamin is doing exceptionally well.
He no longer has any auditory sensitivity. His emotional regulation is really quite good, even under stress. His social skills are improving dramatically. He was able to go to a Home school Co-op class last fall (on Mondays) and cope well in the classroom situation, and was invited to one of his classmates' birthday parties, which he enjoyed without any meltdowns or parental intervention required--during a three hour party!
He is doing way beyond grade expectations academically, and wants to be a marine biologist. His piano teacher thinks he is quite gifted in music, which is amazing for a child who, when younger, was so music-aversive that he would scream when people sang in church. He is doing fine in reading, math, science, social studies, and improving in handwriting.
I have asked Ben if he wanted to do AIT again, but he responded, "Why? I don't have any trouble with my hearing any more." I no longer notice problems with discrimination of consonants, and his spelling is improving.
Peace,
Kathy E.
Kids Corner...
If you have a friend who you think may benefit from this information we will be happy to send him or her a
copy of this newsletter.
Just email: info@aithelps.com or mail us the name and address to:
AIT
690 Boyd Rd.
Leicester, NC 28748.
