In the past several months, I have noticed that my daughter (almost 4 yrs. old) has become increasingly sensitive to noise. While she has always been startled or uncomfortable around loud noises, it has become more pronounced, whereas things that didn't seem to bother her before now bother her, including everyday sounds that don't sound loud to me or my husband. It has also affected her behavior in that she is visibly uncomfortable (hands covering her ears, makes an uncomfortable (angry) face, walks away, etc.) during birthday parties, school activities and other loud events/environments that other kids are enjoying. What is most concerning to me is that this is a change in her behavior -- she used to be much more comfortable in the same settings. I'm just wondering if this is just a phase that she will grow out of or perhaps a medical or behavioral issue? Also, I'd like to help her through the discomfort, so any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
Thanks so much to all of you who took the time to respond. It is great to know we are not alone... and based on your recommendations, I talked to her pediatrician and we have come up with a game plan. With all the resources available, I know we are in good hands. Thanks again!!
B., I would have her evaluated ASAP. If she has learning issues such as ADHD or autism, the earlier you help her learn to cope and compensate, the healthier she will be.
You need to consider the possibility also that she's having headaches, which will also make her sensative to noise. See what you can find out.
Peace,
Syl
I also say Sensory Integration
you would have to go to a pediatric Occupational Therapist...Testing for SPD (Sensory Processing Disorder)is usually done by an Occupational Therapist. They are usually the ones who give the dx, however some pediatricians, neurologists, or other docs may also give the dx. It is usually agreed, though, that an OT w/ a background in Sensory Therapy is the expert on it. They 'test' by examining your child, spending time with them, testing them on certain things, & doing a survey/discussion with the parents. Some children outgrow early sensory processing issues, for others it escalates with age...
SENSORY INTEGRATION DISORDER (SID):
Sensory Integrative Dysfunction in Young Children: http://www.tsbvi.edu/Outreach/seehear/fall97/sensory.htm
Making Sense of Sensory Integration: http://www.spdnetwork.org/aboutspd/makingsensescript2.pdf
sensory processing disorder checklist:
http://www.sensory-processing-disorder.com/sensory-proces...
The Out of Sync Child by Carol Stock
Kranowitz. Think of it like the Sensory Integration
Dysfunction bible.
It's a quick read, but very comprehensive.
http://www.out-of-sync-child.com/
An excellent web site is the SI Network site at
There are a LOT of kids misdiagnosed with ADD/ADHD who
most likely have SID/SPD.
There is a book
called Answers to Questions Teachers Ask about Sensory Integration
by Carol Stock Cranowitz et al. unfortunately many may
be mislabeled as ADD/ADHD when there really is an underlying sensory
issue. Though some will have SID & ADD/ADHD. There also is a school evaluation that is being developed to identify
how SID affects children in the classroom. They are asking for school
personnel to sign up for the pilot stage.
Check the library of info here:
http://www.spdfoundation.net/library.html#insurance
OTs have specific tests they use to look at sensory issues. The 'major' one I've come across is the SIPT. Some info on the SIPT here:
(most of the way down the page)
http://www.southpawenterprises.com/sensory-integration-di...
some other good general info here:
http://www.sensationalkidsot.com.au/sensory.htm#Diagnosis...
more info I found from a great site, http://www.speciallittlesmiles.com:
Sensational Kids by Luck Jane Miller, who runs the KID Network
http://www.sensationalkids.org/aprilnews.html
Some sites for SPD
http://www.sensory-processing-disorder.com/
http://www.comeunity.com/disability/sensory_integration/
http://www.kid-power.org/sid.html
Good Morning Bonnie,
My 4 yr. old niece whom I am raising did this also for a while! I was very worried, but the doctors said she was fine. She quit this behavior when she had to learn to out-loud her sister! Now she runs around screaming songs ect.. I pray this is just a phase for your daughter and I pray the doctors say she is okay also! God bless you thru this time! Happy Holidays!
Truly,
Kathy N. & Family
This may sound strange, bu has she been to the dentist? My son went through the same thing. I took him to the doctor, they sent him to an audiologist, he had several test done. When none of them came up with anything, the doctor suggsted I take him to the dnetist to have his teeth looked at for cavities. Low and behold, he had one on each side. They were filled, and his haring sensitivity is almost gone. They had to fill his cavities at the hospital under anstesia, but I thought it was worth it as he as only three at the time and would need thse teeth for a few more years.
i'm not a dr or anything but i have read articles that a lot of children that are autistic have this reaction to loud noises. i agree with the others i would have her evaluated
Has your little girl ever had any problems with her ears? Like recurring ear infections? My little girl is 3 and she had recurrent ear infections for the first year and a half of her life, until they put tubes in. While it has been over a year since she has had an ear infection, she often behaves the same way as your daughter. She complains that the radio is too loud in the car, she is bothered by loud trucks, cars or motorcycles passing by, and she even claims that the toilets in Wal-Mart flush too loud! She covers her ears and makes faces too. She has 4 older siblings, so she is definitely used to alot of noise and often chaotic situations. Despite complaining of everything being "too loud" and covering her ears, she is often quite loud herself. Singing at the top of her lungs, and yelling, and she absolutley does not know how to whisper! LOL
That being said, she also likes to cover her ears when when we are getting onto her so that she "can't" hear us.
I have a good deal of knowledge about Autism (we thought my little boy might have Aspberger's). Personally, I think that you would have noticed other warning signs besides aversion to loud noise if your daughter was even mildly Autistic. If she is on track developmentally and socially, I wouldn't get too worked up or worried about that being the problem. BUT, if you are still worried about her, please take her to the pediatrician and have her evaluated, so that you can put your mind at ease.
Best Wishes!
Hi Bonnie,
I'm not doctor but I do have degrees in early childhood and elementary education. We are trained, as educators, to look for signs of behaviors in children that may be causing problems in other areas of their learning or social development. What you are describing are behaviors associated with autism. Don't freak out! There are many forms of autism and austism is more prevelent in boys than girls. I would suggest, especially if you feel that these behaviors are increasing in intensity, that you seek a medical professionals advice. Just describe what you have on this board and go from there.
Some children exhibit these signs just because they are going through a phase. It is certainly something that you and your husband will need to take into consideration and decide if it's something you are majorly concerned with or something that you want to watch a little longer. Again, I'm not a physician of any sort and I certainly wouldn't give you a diagnosis for anything, nor do I intend to freak you out. However, I would highly recommend that you seek medical advice if your daughter's behavior continues to increase in intensity.
Best to you,
K. Woodlief
www.LovinLifeHome.com
Hi B.,
While I am not a therapist or doctor...I have a son with autism and another with sensory integration disorder. Your daughter sounds like it could be sensory issues and there are great therapies for that. I would go first to the pediatrician to rule out an ear infection, etc. and get their recommendations. Then Google FDLRS Broward county. They are the first step to getting resources in Broward County. They can place her in a free preschool program at a local elementary school with therapists can help her and be prepared for kindergarten. Hope this helps and good luck.
I recently went thru this as an adult.It is a reaction to stresses, inner turmoil, emotional pain.
I strongly suggest having her checked by a pediatrician that also deals with emotional trauma.
There may be a trauma going on that she is unable to tell you or express to you.
Please do not think this is a phase,I sense there is more to it than that.Someone MAYBE and a "good possibility" bothering,hurting,touching this child.
I suppose there is the possibility of an inner ear issue, may have that checked as well.
Sincerely,
I would be concerned if I were you and don't put this off.
Don't discuss having her checked with "anyone" not even your husband/boyfriend,teacher,sitter~ just have her checked.
I am thinking she may have a keen sense of hearing, like me and my sister have had. That is, very acute hearing.
Once I had thought I was losing my hearing, and my high pitch was so acute, it was over the scale. They told me I must have lost some of my hearing, but that I was over the scale, so it only seemed like I was losing my hearing... but I wasn't going deaf, if that's what I thought. LOL.
Get her hearing checked. It is possible certain pitch levels are hurting her ears.
Good luck, and may God bless you and your beautiful daughters!
P.S. I used to hear burglar alarm systems, as a child, and whenever I went shopping with my mother, I would have to cover my ears, it hurt so bad. And with today's medical technologies, I would hope they have better ideas for helping kids with sensitive hearing. Hope a hearing test will help....
Hi B.,
This sounds like a toxicity issue. ADD, ADHD, Autism, Asperger's Disease, Sensory Processing Disorder all are neurological issues that stem from, or are exacerbated by, environmental toxins. This could be your cleaning supplies, bath and body products, vaccinations, pesticides or processing chemicals in foods or anything she has come in contact with. Children absorb more than adults because they are smaller and of course, they are more sensitive. Toxins have to be removed from the body, they don't just go away.
My daughter, that was diagnosed with ADHD, had her diagnosed removed by the doctor when I detoxed my house. My friend in MD has an autistic son that shows no symptoms at home since she has detoxed her house. He has been mainstreamed into the public school system. The only time he shows symptoms now is when he spends the weekend with his Dad. My husband used to have a severe reaction to noise and his symptoms have subsided as well.
Detoxing removes so many outside stimuli that even if this is not the primary cause of her problem, it will allow you to get a more accurate diagnosis if the symptoms are still present. There are many books on the market about these issues now. Some of them are listed on my website.
If you want more information, I'll be glad to help in any way I can.
God bless,
Hi B.,
First, this may be a phase. My son too does this--he's 3, so I've done a lot of research on it and from what I've read, so kids just do this and then outgrow it.
But I was approached by a Occupational Therapist who just happen to be observing my son at a swimming lesson when he was 2 and she brought up the fact that he may have a sensory processing disorder (based on his behavior). It's harder to screen for kids that age, and after reading about it, I wasn't convinced that he had this issue, so we are taking the wait and see approach until next year (VPK) and then I'll get him screened.
Anyways, sensory disorders can be any or many senses--sight, sounds, touch, gravity, etc.
Here's a good website with a lot of info:
http://www.sensory-processing-disorder.com/
If you are interested in getting your child screened, here is a database you can look at to find an Occupational Therapist in your area who is qualified to do so:
http://portal.wpspublish.com/portal/page?_pageid=53,83247...
Get her into the doctor, he/she is the best person to evaluate what is going on and can order tests if needed. No this is not a normal phase. Best wishes to you and your family.
B.,
Now I am freaked out!! I read your question and it sounded alarms in my head! My 3 year old daughter always covers her ears when I turn on the TV or radio and cry's telling me it is too loud, when in reality it is not loud. She also gets very uncomfortable when a motorcycle or truck passes us in the car, covers her ears and complains of the loud noise. I never would have thought this to be a medical condition until I read the posts on your question. I read that the insurance company will not pay for this type of evaluation or treatment. Are you getting your child evaluated? If you did what did the doctor say? I am wondering if I need to have my daughter checked out for this. Thank you,
R. M
get her hearing tested. she may have some auditory processing disorder which makes loud noises even louder for her.
Hi B.,
Not saying she has this, but just a thought: Sensory Integration Disorder. My husband was diagnosed with this as an adult, but there is much more information available on SID in children than adults. It often goes undiagnosed becasue most kids learn pretty quickly how to deal with it or to avoid situations that make them uncomfortable. You can google it for more info, or talk to your doctor. I believe it is usually diagnosed by a psychologist, rather than an MD.
