I finally connected with the Head of Audiology at Childrens Hospital. We spoke about Jack and I told her his story – mainly speaking about the plane ride. I was completely taken back by her reaction.
I have read books about mothers who have encounter medical professionals who say troubling things including assuming either the mother is crazy or possibly the child. Who dismiss evidence or just don’t care to look deeper. Who question the child’s reality. Who dismiss the mother’s observations. Who misdiagnose because not taking the time to look at the whole child.
She didn’t even pause to think about what I said. She raised her voice as if she was leaning back in her chair in disbelief and said, Wow, that’s extreme! I’ve never heard of anything like that before. You should consider taking him to a psychiatrist if he is having anxiety attacks like that. Something is wrong if he is reacting that way.
She began to ask me pointed questions that were clearly meant to evaluate his mental health. I felt as if I was getting back up against the wall. As I began to feel defeated, I became more defiant. I ultimately said, Why don’t I worry about his mental health, and why don’t you just try to find out what is triggering his extreme reactions to certain sounds.
I felt better. I stood my ground and fought for my child. I know what I need from her and I quickly realized I didn’t need her to accept or understand or even care. I only needed her approval to proceed.
After she calmed down… okay, we both calmed down and got to the business at hand. Oh, who am I kidding, we never reached the level of a productive conversation. I was never going to receive respect from her… I am obviously just another crazy mother.
I was able, however, to confirm a thought I had. We both agreed that his severe reactions to some sounds are not associated with his Auditory Processing Disorder. The sensitivity to background noise associated with APD is different.
My understanding is the sensitivity with APD is when background noise – like an air conditioner or the buzz in a room full of quiet children (yes, quiet children make noise!) – is distracting and makes it difficult for someone with APD to isolate the sound of someone speaking to them. APD doesn’t make someone get horrible headaches as if the sound is filing them up uncontrollably, lie on the floor holding their head, have severe anxiety attacks, throw up, pass out, and ultimately protest going to any place new.
In the end, she agreed to have Jack tested. She briefly explained they have equipment that allows them to see the different part of the ears reaction to different type and levels of sound. She also said they’d fit him for custom in-ear ear plugs.
Success.
Now, as with much of this journey, I wait. I’ll wonder every day about what they will find. Hoping and praying to God they find something.
Luckily this time, I only have to wait a week.
I have read books about mothers who have encounter medical professionals who say troubling things including assuming either the mother is crazy or possibly the child. Who dismiss evidence or just don’t care to look deeper. Who question the child’s reality. Who dismiss the mother’s observations. Who misdiagnose because not taking the time to look at the whole child.
She didn’t even pause to think about what I said. She raised her voice as if she was leaning back in her chair in disbelief and said, Wow, that’s extreme! I’ve never heard of anything like that before. You should consider taking him to a psychiatrist if he is having anxiety attacks like that. Something is wrong if he is reacting that way.
She began to ask me pointed questions that were clearly meant to evaluate his mental health. I felt as if I was getting back up against the wall. As I began to feel defeated, I became more defiant. I ultimately said, Why don’t I worry about his mental health, and why don’t you just try to find out what is triggering his extreme reactions to certain sounds.
I felt better. I stood my ground and fought for my child. I know what I need from her and I quickly realized I didn’t need her to accept or understand or even care. I only needed her approval to proceed.
After she calmed down… okay, we both calmed down and got to the business at hand. Oh, who am I kidding, we never reached the level of a productive conversation. I was never going to receive respect from her… I am obviously just another crazy mother.
I was able, however, to confirm a thought I had. We both agreed that his severe reactions to some sounds are not associated with his Auditory Processing Disorder. The sensitivity to background noise associated with APD is different.
My understanding is the sensitivity with APD is when background noise – like an air conditioner or the buzz in a room full of quiet children (yes, quiet children make noise!) – is distracting and makes it difficult for someone with APD to isolate the sound of someone speaking to them. APD doesn’t make someone get horrible headaches as if the sound is filing them up uncontrollably, lie on the floor holding their head, have severe anxiety attacks, throw up, pass out, and ultimately protest going to any place new.
In the end, she agreed to have Jack tested. She briefly explained they have equipment that allows them to see the different part of the ears reaction to different type and levels of sound. She also said they’d fit him for custom in-ear ear plugs.
Success.
Now, as with much of this journey, I wait. I’ll wonder every day about what they will find. Hoping and praying to God they find something.
Luckily this time, I only have to wait a week.
