Ever found yourself asking “how can they hear that?” or “they weren’t even in the room when I used the vacuum, why are they upset?”.
Your little pea may have an auditory processing difficulty – we call this an “auditory modulation difficulty” or in some cases it could be “auditory defensiveness”.
Just like all sensory systems, where are many different types of auditory processing difficulties from a difficult filtering out noises (modulation), difficulties differentiating sounds/noises (discrimination), having a big adverse reaction -fight/flight/fright- to noise (defensive), not hearing various noises (under responsive).
Here are some top tips to help a little pea with auditory modulation/defensiveness:
– Give your little pea regular breaks from noise. A ‘brain break’ where they are able to have no noise and can do quiet play/reading/drawing/whatever takes their interest. Try and see if you can make it a ‘noise free’ household for 20-30minutes a day!
– Discuss with your little pea what noises bother them. Make sure they feel safe in this discussion. See if you can set up a way to reduce the incidence of those sounds happening.
– Give plenty of warning if you are going to do something with sound (e.g. blender, vaccum, etc).
– If you are going somewhere you now there will be noise, allow your little pea to wear headphones to help block out the noise.
– In the classroom have the little pea sit somewhere free from excess noise, including air conditioners/fans, outside noise (doors/windows). Preferably in one corner of the room so that there is less sides that people will be talking around them.
Rebecca Lockyer
Occupational Therapist, Little TheraPeas