Other Ear Problems Support Group

Reply #1 - 05/07/08 10:19am

hi, not sure if my reply went through, my son has apd, we would love to chat!

Reply #2 - 05/07/08 11:23am

oh great!!! thats wonderfull! I was beginning to think maybe I was the only one. I'm getting tested for apd at the mo coz I fit all the symptums and the dyslexic support people at college are convinced I have it! So just had a hearing test which was fine and am getting referred to a specialist by my doctor.

what kinda problems does your son have?? would love to chat!
xxx

Reply #3 - 05/08/08 9:48am

hi music, my son has a lot of frustration, of course, he says huh or what alot, his hearing test came back ok as well. it is the processing where things get mixed up. so naturally organization is difficult, communication-we learned some basic sign language for communication, he would tantrum when he was 3 4 5 and 6 because of frustration until we found out what it was, i had to teach him to ask for people to repeat what they said if he forgets it, and he forgets alot so this is a big coping skill that helps him. he gets embarrassed easily, so knowing what was wrong helped him to realize it is not his fault. he has a problem sequencing, first middle last with stories and verbal communication. it helps him to have visual schedules even if it is a tiny series of pictures we put on a bookmark to remind him of things. LOUD NOISY PLACES drive him insane. we have used earplugs or ipod if we have to go shopping and asked them at restaurants to turn down the music, etc. he loves music and plays guitar by ear, so it is also a strength. as with anything in life, focus on your strengths, and find coping skills for the rest is my only advice. :)

Reply #4 - 05/08/08 10:07am

when he comes home from school today i will show him the posts! thanks so much for reaching out. he is only 8 and we do not know anyone else with it, except family, i think my brother had it his whole life and it went undiagnosed. josh is 8 we live in the US are you in CANADA?

Reply #5 - 05/08/08 5:32pm

This is great!!! I mean- its not great that your son has apd heehee...... I mean its good to chat to someone who understands!

I have the same kinda problems. It all makes so much more sense now I know there's an actual cause for finding things so difficult. I have a real problem following long conversations, or conversations in big groups, or jokes (coz of the sequencing problem I guess) or stories so most of the time I end up guessing what the person is going to say and make a bit of a twit out of myself!! guess its entertaining for other people! Most of the time I just switch off :) Especially in telephone conversations coz you can't follow the person hand gestures which is what I do normally :(

I totally agree with noisy situations being a nightmare!!! I'm lost with that! And no one really seems to get why I go all quiet..... coz I don't have a clue whats going on basically!

I have a real problem following directions which is really hard coz I'm doing the violin at music college and every time my teacher tells me something to do and I don't do it coz my brain doesn't connect with what he says, he gets a bit annoyed! I have explained to him tho, so he now shows me how to do stuff instead of describing it to me! yay

I have a very short memory for auditory stuff- so I just have to joke about it really and say 'memory of a gold fish here!' Its the only way to do it.

Its a very good idea to have a visual schedule. I put everything into my phone and set reminders/alarms so my phone beeps at me endlessly when I need to remember something!! Very useful really.

One thing I still haven't really got round is taking notes in lectures. I know everyone struggles with staying awake in lectures heehee but I always seem to come out not having learnt a thing!! I'm working on it tho- at least we don't have them that often.

It is annoying having apd but the only thing you can do is be positive and laugh about it!! I just use the excuse of being blonde- does wonders sometimes!! There's not much we can do about it- so best get round it :)

Reply #6 - 05/08/08 5:34pm

oh.... and I'm in the UK actually. I'm in my first year at music college in wales so most of the time I get miserable welsh weather! lovely!

Reply #7 - 05/08/08 11:40pm

hi i read your post out loud to my son and he said i do that too...guessing what people try to say. he liked your memory of a goldfish joke and said at least we're not like the fish on Finding Nemo movie, lols if you have not seen it, i believe it is a disney dvd so funny. his favorite you tube video is a rocky 4 movie clip, he asks do you like youtube videos?

Reply #8 - 05/08/08 11:44pm

he also said physical stuff helps his frustration, boxing a punching bag and his brother, baseball basketball and hiking, fishing, what are your hobbies? and he said you are nice and have a nice smile.

Reply #9 - 05/08/08 11:51pm

i have a hard time with reading and understanding do you? i have a hard time understanding alot of things my mom says do you? that is all. i have to go to sleep. zzzzzzzzzsleep sleep.