NEWS & UPDATES
Our Occupational Therapist, Elsje, is currently providing individual therapy to more than 20 families with children aged from 3 to 14 years.
In addition Elsje is providing OT services to two special needs schools in Pinetown & Westville, supporting children with multiple disabilities ranging from Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Genetic Disorders, Concentration and Behavioural problems and Learning Difficulties.
Family centred therapy remains an integral part of our service and regular parent meetings or sessions where parents "sit-in" are encouraged.
 |
| Sibusisiwe Mdlalose |
We strive to support and develop the OT profession by proving learning opportunities for young students and professionals.
From 10 April to 10 May 2018, Sibusisiwe Mdlalose, a 4th year Occupational Therapy student from the University of Pretoria will be joining our practice in order to complete her four week paediatric practical training.
It will be greatly appreciated if you will allow Sibusisiwe the opportunity to sit in and observe Elsje's treatment sessions with your child as this will serve as an essential part of her learning experience.
Sibusisiwe will abide by the code of ethics and all information regarding the children and their families will be kept strictly confidential.
Please advise Elsje in the event that you do not agree with this arrangement.
ARTICLE
Auditory Sensitivity - by Elsje Stuiver (O.T)
Close your eyes and try to identify three different sounds in your environment.
You should be able to identify ‘what’ the sounds are and ‘where’ they are coming from.
 |
| It's too loud!! |
Correct interpretation of these sounds will enable you to act accordingly e.g. looking behind you and moving out of the way when you hear a bicycle bell ringing, scanning the room to find your ringing cell phone or preparing to nurse when you hear the hungry cry of your baby.
Children with an over-responsiveness to auditory (sound) input, have difficulty hearing one sound in isolation and instead hear all sounds at an increased volume, all at once.
This assault to their senses causes their body to go into fight/flight or freeze mode. These children easily become distracted and respond to every day noises with a whole-body startle.
This state of ceaseless, on-edge alertness uses up a lot of energy, interferes with learning, hampers language development and social interactions.
Auditory sensitivity can be seen when children cover their ears with their hands in order to block out unpleasant sounds, they may avoid places or events with lots of people and loud noises, request to leave parties early, seek out quiet hiding places or even raise their own voice to counteract the noise.
Understanding that your child has difficulty ‘turning down the volume’ on the world is the first step to helping them cope better with everyday life.
Here are a few more tips and tricks you can use to help your child cope when life is TOO LOUD:
- Acknowledge what they are feeling – say things like: ‘wow all these children are making lots of noise…’ or ‘that bell is very loud’
- Help them understand ‘what’ the sound is – allow your child to investigate the source of sounds, especially non-threathening sounds, so that next time he/she hears the noise they will be able to carry on what they were doing realising that it the sound will not endanger them.
- Where possible, eliminate the noises that bother your child and limit the time spent in noisy, busy environments.
- When possible provide a warning before loud noises – give the child an opportunity to cover their ears or leave the room before an alarm goes off or a bell rings.
- If prevention is not possible, provide your child with options that will block out the sounds that bother them – these include ear defenders, ear plugs or listening to music.
- Arrange quiet, calm place where your child can relax alone – these include tents, dens, libraries and even an identified room in the house away from the noises that bother them.
- Adapt your own voice by talking in a softer tone of voice.
- Allow your child to be in control of what they are listening to – give your child an opportunity to change the volume on the television or radio.
- Chewing can help to dampen sounds - Let your child eat crunchy or chewy (healthy) foods before, during or after noisy events. Non-edible chews can be found online and are a great alternative to food or gum.
Children’s difficulties with responding and adapting to the environment may not solely be due to a sensitivity to noise. Should your concerns regarding your child’s behaviour, participation and performance remain, further support from an Occupational Therapist with specialist training in Sensory Integration is recommended.
Elsje Stuiver - Occupational Therapy thanks you for your continued support and for allowing us to be part of your journey to better understand and develop your child ☺
