Update to new intro from Feb

[Teri H.; Oregon]

I'm sorry.  I don't know how to link to previous conversations but hopefully this link to my original post will point you all in the right direction for context;  http://forums.welltrainedmind.com/topic/503802-new-to=boardintro-and-questions-about-adhd-and-language-disabilities/ 

 

I wanted to thank those of you that gave me input in this area I am so deficient.  My first two boys practically taught themselves to read and spell.  Because of that, for years, I chalked the differences I was seeing with the next two boys as just that; differences in children.  Though we saw many Drs., none raised any red flags.  After recently having my son tested by an educational psychologist, we were puzzled with the test scores that we saw.  There were more questions than answers.  After talking with this board, and a lot of researching, we stumbled on very interesting family dynamics. We began our search to address the needs of my 14yo son, and through it found out our 17yo is Dyslexic, as well as my husband.  It has been an eye opening 5 months around here.

 

In a nutshell, we have found out that 14yo ds has CAPD as well as his ADD and written Lang difficulties.  In fact he can't hear people at all when there is any background noise around.  It explains so many things we have seen and wondered about.  We were given the suggestion of trying a hearing aid, by his audiologist, that can help eliminate a lot of background noise so he can hear conversations close to him.  There is an 80% chance it will work.  We will be fitting him with a demo H. aid next week and trying one out.

 

We still need to deal with his very slow processing speed, his ADD/distractibility, and writing issues.  I'm not sure where to go from here to meet his needs, so am stumbling around a bit with all the information that is out there.  It is a bit overwhelming.  I started a couple of things but am not sure how effective those will be.  I've read about the metronome therapy and called a couple of Drs. about Interactive metronome.  Their input has not been encouraging as they were unimpressed with the results they saw and discontinued using it.  Any feedback from moms regarding that would be helpful.  I have started him on some Dianne Craft Exercises so will see how that goes.  The audiologist is a specialist in diagnosing CAPD but not treating it.  So, she really didn't have many suggestions.  I have seen an SLP mentioned on the boards.  I am assuming that is a Speech/Lang, specialist of some sort?  I wonder if that should be our next step and if they would give us the best direction on dealing with his learning differences.  What do you all think?

 

I'm grateful for the input you have given me.  It certainly put us in the right direction and I'm not sure I would have stumbled on that info myself.  So thanks.

[PeterPan]

Hi Teri, welcome back!  No wonder you're overwhelmed!  That's a lot to discover!  But hurray for finding the problems and having the right terms now.  Gives you something to work with.

 

Sounds like you're getting very good help from your audiologist, so that's wonderful.  I'm not up on it, but just having some options to try is terrific.

 

Ok, it's true that Interactive Metronome is an oddity when you call their provider list.  I called, I don't know, maybe 10-15 in our area, and the answers I got were pretty consistently like yours.  The thing I noticed though, and this was just me, was that it was the kind of thing where a lot of people were just loosely in the field and then took it up, sort of the "I can buy it and administer it" kind of mentality.  The people who I think *are* getting worthwhile outcome and progress are the people who are say OTs and very into the field, doing a lot of sensory, etc. as prep work.  So for instance the OT we used does IM, but she wouldn't start it right away.  She'd do *other* OT work for a number of months, get some of the sensory issues chilled, THEN come in with the IM.  So somebody just buying the equipment and bringing in kids doesn't really have that ability, kwim?  

 

Since you know you have ADHD going on, you might like to get an OT eval with an OT who is SIPT-certified.  There's a list online, so google for it.  I'm using it right now to decide who I want to do an eval for ds.  The evals are longer than the normal (several hours) and pricy, but ours was this HUGELY EYE-OPENING experience with dd.  I'm definitely looking forward to it with ds.  And yes, I think getting that sensory eval will clue you into what's going on with his body sensory-wise, which will show you *why* a certain learning situation is glitching up and give you ideas on what to do about it.  

 

The SLP eval would be for screening for APD and to identify and treat any language issues (grammar, lexicon, whatever).  He may or may not need that. 

 

Are you considering meds for the ADHD?  You sound pretty frustrated.  OT can help bring some of that down.  The only thing I've seen that actually is considered as effective as meds is neurofeedback, so if you wanted to start researching it to see your options, that might be the place to start.

 

Btw, the internet, app devices, etc. have totally changed your options on how to do things.  Metronome work is totally easy to do now with an app on the iPad.  It won't be AS GOOD as getting that formal therapy with the instant feedback, but frankly for the price difference (free vs. $100 an hour) I was willing to start with an iPad app, kwim?  And for us, we made so much progress that I just never felt the need to pursue the formal.  Ten years ago formal with their equipment was your only option.  

 

There are also alternatives to neurofeedback.  I'm trying to research it again, sigh, because my dd is asking for options.  There's a company Play Attention that markets a product you can buy and use yourself at home.  Guffanti recommends it in his book on adhd/dyslexia.  I always hate the prices on these therapies, sigh.  So I guess research it and see what you find, then enlighten me.  I think the theory of it makes sense (and the AAP seems to also, as they label it a tier one intervention for adhd, right along with meds), but with so many types I haven't sorted out which one, etc.  And again, I would think neurofeedback would be much less frustrating if you do it AFTER some OT.  Our OT described sensory as the four alarm fire making focusing harder.  So sure there's the attention issue, but on top of this the alarm bells are going off constantly.  You quiet the sensory and it gives them a chance to work on the attention part.  Neurofeedback needs a LOT of buy-in.  That's the thing one lady I called emphasized, that they have to want it and really work at it.  So to me, the kid needs to be as ready as possible, with other things out of the way (vision problems, OT/sensory, etc.) so it's actually doable for them and not over-frustrating.

 

Keep researching!  Sounds like you're doing great!  :)

 

[geodob]

Teri, I've been doing a study into a method to address this difficulty with background noise.

Which perhaps you might like to try with your son?

It is based on the ability to hear the direction that a sound is coming from.

Where I have found that people who have a difficulty with background noise, are often unable to locate the direction of a sound.

 

Though this ability to locate sounds, can also be used to focus hearing, and separate it from background and competing sound.

So that in this study, I have found that with practicing locating sounds, that the ability can be improved.

This involved a simple daily exercise, where the person sits on a chair in the centre of a room. With their eyes closed.

Then the other person moves to different points around them, speaking or making a sound.

Where the seated person tries to point in the direction of sound. (keeping their eyes closed)

To start with, they had no idea where the sound was coming from?

But in most cases, their ability to accurately locate a sound, developed quite quickly.  

 

Though the second part, involves the graduated introduction of competing sound, such as a radio or TV at low volume.

Where they practice keeping their hearing focused and ignoring the competing sound.

 

Then another part, involves sitting between a TV and a radio, and then switching the focus of hearing back and forth from one to the other.

 

With this study so far, it has shown that doing these exercises can help gain the ability to focus hearing when their are competing sounds/noise.

 

I would also note that the effects of CAPD are often confused with ADD.   So that this is worth giving consideration?

[Heathermomster]

DS took IM with an OT for about 6 weeks.  Basically, he wore head phones and clapped to a tone that was 54 BPM.  A computer recorded his clapping and if he clapped too slow, a beeping would go off in one ear.  If he clapped too fast, a beep would sound in the opposite ear.  He adjusted his clapping rate based upon the beeps he was hearing.  As he improved, the OTs started purposefully distracting him as he clapped.

 

Was IM helpful?  I think so.  His music tutor immediately noticed son's ability to sustain focus better.  As OhE mentioned with IM, the OT addressed other issues outside of the IM therapy.  Never experienced any hallelujah moments as a result of IM though.  The OT talked like I would see improvements across reading, math, and handwriting.  DS was already an A student in a reg classroom, so we never realized gains that way.  

 

You mentioned the dysgraphia.  Maybe consider ways to get your DS away from a pencil.  Teach him to type.  Typing may be a challenge so be open to exploring other ways to get thoughts to paper, such as speech to text software, DVORAK, and adapted keyboarding.  We use Inspiration mindmapping software for note taking.

 

And then there is the written output.  DS took IEW with an O-G tutor for two years.  Other moms have used Bravewriter and WWS with wonderful results.   Whatever program you decide upon, be prepared to provide tons of scaffolding.  In fact, you will need to provide far more scaffolding than seems appropriate until your student learns to internalize the writing process.  Scaffolding includes scribing and co-writing with them.  You will be modeling how to write to your child.  The process will be slow, so try to be patient.

 

With your child's low processing scores, you likely know this already...Consider assigning less problems across the curriculum and provide more time to complete the work.  Blessings, h.    

 

 

 

 

 

[PeterPan]

Teri, I've been doing a study into a method to address this difficulty with background noise.

Which perhaps you might like to try with your son?

It is based on the ability to hear the direction that a sound is coming from.

Where I have found that people who have a difficulty with background noise, are often unable to locate the direction of a sound.

 

Though this ability to locate sounds, can also be used to focus hearing, and separate it from background and competing sound.

So that in this study, I have found that with practicing locating sounds, that the ability can be improved.

This involved a simple daily exercise, where the person sits on a chair in the centre of a room. With their eyes closed.

Then the other person moves to different points around them, speaking or making a sound.

Where the seated person tries to point in the direction of sound. (keeping their eyes closed)

To start with, they had no idea where the sound was coming from?

But in most cases, their ability to accurately locate a sound, developed quite quickly.  

 

Though the second part, involves the graduated introduction of competing sound, such as a radio or TV at low volume.

Where they practice keeping their hearing focused and ignoring the competing sound.

 

Then another part, involves sitting between a TV and a radio, and then switching the focus of hearing back and forth from one to the other.

 

With this study so far, it has shown that doing these exercises can help gain the ability to focus hearing when their are competing sounds/noise.

 

I would also note that the effects of CAPD are often confused with ADD.   So that this is worth giving consideration?

Geoff, that's AWESOME!!!!!  This makes SUCH good sense. Now to see if my 15 yo guinea pig (child) would do it...

[Princess Ariel]

Sorry if this is OT-

I think I may try this myself, as an adult. I seem to be having more trouble with knowing where sounds come from and I'm having trouble concentrating (reading for example) when the tv or radio are on. My kids actually laugh at me at times as I think sounds are coming from the wrong place but it's not funny to me:( My mom is hearing impaired and I feel like I am turning into her sometimes!

 

Teri, I've been doing a study into a method to address this difficulty with background noise.

Which perhaps you might like to try with your son?

It is based on the ability to hear the direction that a sound is coming from.

Where I have found that people who have a difficulty with background noise, are often unable to locate the direction of a sound.

 

Though this ability to locate sounds, can also be used to focus hearing, and separate it from background and competing sound.

So that in this study, I have found that with practicing locating sounds, that the ability can be improved.

This involved a simple daily exercise, where the person sits on a chair in the centre of a room. With their eyes closed.

Then the other person moves to different points around them, speaking or making a sound.

Where the seated person tries to point in the direction of sound. (keeping their eyes closed)

To start with, they had no idea where the sound was coming from?

But in most cases, their ability to accurately locate a sound, developed quite quickly.  

 

Though the second part, involves the graduated introduction of competing sound, such as a radio or TV at low volume.

Where they practice keeping their hearing focused and ignoring the competing sound.

 

Then another part, involves sitting between a TV and a radio, and then switching the focus of hearing back and forth from one to the other.

 

With this study so far, it has shown that doing these exercises can help gain the ability to focus hearing when their are competing sounds/noise.

 

I would also note that the effects of CAPD are often confused with ADD.   So that this is worth giving consideration?

[kbutton]

Teri--thanks for the update. My DS 6 possibly has CAPD (too early to test), flags for dyslexia, and has taken a looong time to master decent handwriting--and our biggest concern at the moment is his single digit percentile score in processing speed. I am glad that you got some answers, and I am really interested to hear how things go, particularly with the hearing aid.

 

Princess Ariel--if I had to echo locate to catch my dinner (bats, dolphins), I would starve to death. Let us know if the exercises help!

[Teri H.; Oregon]

Thanks, geodob.  This is similar to what our audiologist talked about doing.  She also suggested having him listen to audiobooks with earplugs but only using one side.  I don't remember the procedure right now, but it was along the same line.

 

We did end up going to the hearing aid specialist.  Saw a big difference.  It was really interesting, because after we were done we were all talking and trying to find out from DS if he noticed a difference.  At first he said "A lot" (Which is what we saw.  His response time to simple questions was much faster.) Then he changed it and said maybe moderately, then he said "Well, maybe only 25%."  We were pondering that and then out of the blue he says "You know, one thing I noticed was that I didn't have to think so hard to figure out what you guys were saying.  It wasn't as exhausting!"  BINGO.....I think we are going to go with the hearing aids. 

 

It is like we have this list and we keep working through it to address each individual need.  Next I think I will see about finding an OT with the SIPT certification like you were talking about, OhElizabeth. 

 

We took him off of processed breakfast cereal, which he ate every morning.  HUGE difference after a few days.  Started upping his protein in the A.M. and he has been much more energetic.  Looking for some high protein breakfast type recipes or ideas.  He came to me and said he felt so much better.

 

Just going to keep chipping away at it all.  :)

 

 

Teri, I've been doing a study into a method to address this difficulty with background noise.

Which perhaps you might like to try with your son?

It is based on the ability to hear the direction that a sound is coming from.

Where I have found that people who have a difficulty with background noise, are often unable to locate the direction of a sound.

 

Though this ability to locate sounds, can also be used to focus hearing, and separate it from background and competing sound.

So that in this study, I have found that with practicing locating sounds, that the ability can be improved.

This involved a simple daily exercise, where the person sits on a chair in the centre of a room. With their eyes closed.

Then the other person moves to different points around them, speaking or making a sound.

Where the seated person tries to point in the direction of sound. (keeping their eyes closed)

To start with, they had no idea where the sound was coming from?

But in most cases, their ability to accurately locate a sound, developed quite quickly.  

 

Though the second part, involves the graduated introduction of competing sound, such as a radio or TV at low volume.

Where they practice keeping their hearing focused and ignoring the competing sound.

 

Then another part, involves sitting between a TV and a radio, and then switching the focus of hearing back and forth from one to the other.

 

With this study so far, it has shown that doing these exercises can help gain the ability to focus hearing when their are competing sounds/noise.

 

I would also note that the effects of CAPD are often confused with ADD.   So that this is worth giving consideration?