Auditory Processing Disorder and my son

**kattails** · 10-12-2009, 11:04 AM

I am at the end of my rope....sitting here with tears running down my face as I type. I think my ds age 9 has an auditory processing disorder, but I can't seem to find an intelligent being that will test him. went to the pediatrician she says go through the school, go to the school they look at his grades on paper...they say he's fine. I know he's not fine, something just isn't right.

I have been researching, reading, and talking to a couple of speech-language pathologists (they didn't test him, they work with my daughter and I asked for their input) and they agree something's not right and he should be evaluated. I've known something was not right since he was in 1st grade, he did horribly in school. so I quit my job working 12 hour shifts on the weekends and 5 pm-1 am during the week and put everything I had into him. and it paid off 2nd grade was a breeze to him, he passed 3rd grade making the honor roll every 9 weeks, and has done pretty good so far in 4th. all his current teacher says is look at his grades, and all I keep telling her is come look at all my workbooks, flashcards, and worksheets I have made for him to get those grades!! NO, she insists my son is learning all of that in her class...I am so tired, mentally, physically, emotionally. if someone has made it this far through my post, please pray for my son and myself. after being told for 3 years that I don't know what I'm talking about when it concerns my son is humiliating...especially when as a mother you know something is not right

**Karen1** · 10-12-2009, 11:15 AM

Do you have that "one great hospital near you?"

Because----my friend John's wife was very sick with a rare disease. No local Dr. could figure it out. Test after test, then the referrals then the "you aren't that bad", then the, back to the beginning for tests, then the "hmm... are you faking it?"----etc.

John got ticked off. He called DUKE Medical Center in Raleigh NC. Great hospital. This was after 3 years of crap Drs. locally. DUKE took her appt (5 hr drive for them, they stayed the weekend) and a TEAM of Drs. gave her a battery of tests. Within 2 days they had their diagnosis. She had a rare disease and is being treated for it now.

SO YOU MUST find the right Dr. to help you. FIND the right facility. IT IS out there.

best of luck

**joyofsix** · 10-12-2009, 12:30 PM

I really relate to what you are saying. I can not get my 13yo tested for Asperger's because he's a good student??? I would suggest going back to ped and explaining school won't test, call a hospital and see if they test and then see if your insurance will cover it, scream and throw a fit. Why won't people believe mothers know when something isn't right? Hugs

Keep us posted as to what happens.

**mauimagic** · 10-12-2009, 12:42 PM

Okay folks - here's the deal if you live in the US. You and your children have rights...... In Hawaii I would tell you to go to your school's Student Services Coordinator (SSC) and say you want to have your child tested - it's form 101. I don't know the procedures in your state, but you really cannot be denied this.

Sorry if I sound irritated - but I am. You do not have to go through this alone.

And here's the deal that may be causing you to get tripped up at your schools. They will look at how your child is performing in class - because that is the bottom line to them - doing well? no problem. Well, there is a problem and you know it. Stop crying, pull up your socks and get ready to battle some more.

I speak from experience when DD got a concussion in 8th grade. Fought that strong and loud - had to because they could not see the problems.

Please stay in touch, let us know what's happening. PM me if you want. I am turning into a parents' advocate - now I know what I'll do when I retire!! Seriously - I'm a special education teacher. I deal with this all the time.

You are not alone. You and your children have rights. No one knows your child better than you do. Others care. I care.

**Jamauk** · 10-12-2009, 01:29 PM

mauimagic, thank you for posting that. You took the words right out of my mouth.

**Daisygirl** · 10-12-2009, 02:10 PM

DD9 also suffers from Central Auditory Processsing Disorder. I am lucky because her teacher has supported her every step of the way.

The testing was out of pocket, but it took place at a hearing clinic located at a university hospital. It cost around $200, but once you have that diagnosis, at least here in Canada, you can wave that sucker in the face of the school board and they MUST MUST MUST make accomodations for your child. I am guessing it is much the same down where you are.

The test was 3 parts - first a regular hearing test and then a 2 section test for auditory processing. My daughter's problem is distinguishing things when there is background noise.

Since her testing last year, with the accomodations and assistance that she has received, her marks have gone up 2 full letter grades. More than that, her self-esteem has improved greatly. That in itself is worth every penny I spent.

Best of luck to you and your son, hope this info is helpful.

**Minner77** · 10-12-2009, 02:21 PM

kattails, my heart goes out to you and your family. Please know that you are in my prayers.

PM me if you'd like for more, but we battled the schools and misdiagnoses for years with our eldest, who is now 23 and still wounded by his treatment at the hands of individual teachers and the administration. We finally went to Mayo Clinic for an accurate diagnosis, after years of following the "instructions" that came with his earlier "labels" and causing even further harm. It was a nightmare.

As mauimagic said, you must become a strong advocate for your son; be as loud and vocal as you need to be, or nothing will happen. I learned to do this, showing up at his IEP meetings with synopses of his diagnoses, psychological reports, goals, and an agenda I actually would print in quantity and distribute. No more getting pushed around.

I haven't checked into the organization lately, but could PACER help you? They're a nonprofit advocacy organization for children and adults with disabilities (I just found them online by googling PACER....). They can give you some sound advice (in addition to mauimagic's immediately useful advice) and, in some cases, can directly advocate, I believe, should you need the support.

I am angry along with you; I still harbor a lot of anger and frustration at my son's treatment, and hate to think of someone else struggling through it.

We're here for you, truly.
~Mary

**frugalwarrior** · 10-12-2009, 05:57 PM

My DD has auditory processing disorder and ADD. We didn't know about the auditory processing disorder because she had taught herself to lip read which floored me and the audiologist. She was 10. You need to go to a major hospital where the audiologist is qualified to test for this. Never mind the school. Leave them out completely. Come back w/ the paper. The teacher can wear a head set that will amplify things for your DD. GEt an advocate and a special ED. certification from the school. They cannot legally deny you. Learn your vocabulary. Letiginous (sp) is a great word to use. ADVOCACY. LD online is a great site to join. Do not buckle. They will treat you badly. This is not optional and doesn't relate to their funding. Threaten in a sympathetic voice to involve the school board. Once it's in place. Keep checking on them. The teacher didn't want to wear it so she told DD she was out of batteries. Donate batteries. Your child must not sit at the back,by the pencil sharpener,loud special ED. children,any distrations. Now other news. One neurologic disorder may signal another. My DD has convergence prob. w/ her eyes; she has trouble holding a focal point and her focal point isn't where it should be. Her eye sight is normal.
Start calling auditory and neurologic centers at your nearest major hospital. Don't let anyone shut you up. Don't ever raise your voice and yell though. Get a lawyer if you need one,one who specailizes in child advocacy.

**AmyBoz** · 10-12-2009, 07:49 PM

kattails...as a public school teacher, I echo maui's sentiments. If you request to have your child tested, you cannot be denied. It's the law.

I'm so sorry you are going through this. It must be so frustrating for you!

Please keep us in the loop and let us know what happens!

**Michelle68** · 10-12-2009, 09:28 PM

As a parent of a child with disabilities (my 21 year old DD), I'm sending you hugs. Mauimagic is totally correct on this. Please let us know what happens and good luck to you and your DS. Hang in there.

**valerian** · 10-13-2009, 10:14 AM

I have a hearing impaired child and know that you have certain rights regarding your child too.

**nuisance26** · 10-13-2009, 10:54 AM

~Aww, kattails, I know how you feel! It's so frustrating when you know something is wrong and the 'experts' are dismissive. I've prayed for you and I hope you make some progress with testing!
And thank you to those who posted that have children with Auditory Processing Disorder. I suspect that my son has it too. I appreciate the suggestions about where to test since we will be doing that this winter.~

**MaryCarney** · 10-13-2009, 11:06 AM

I know you don't homeschool, but the Home School Legal Defense Association has an excellent group of disability specialists. There is a free side to their website hslda.org which may offer you some help.
In addition, many parents homeschool for the very frustrating reasons you've raised. Perhaps your local homeschooling group has someone who has already fought those battles??? We homeschoolers are a helpful bunch, whether or not you are homeschooling. Each state has an organization which can put you in touch with locals. the HSLDA website will have contact info.

Best wishes, and prayers for you today!!

**my4littlebuffaloes** · 10-13-2009, 11:18 AM

I think my child has the same thing, but everything I have heard is that he needs to be older to be tested, he is only 7. There is a specialty clinic in Fort Collins, CO, I can try to get the name for you, they might have info online. We started there and then decided to wait on it for a few years.

Anyway, here in OH, I can get him tested at a local university that specializes in auditory processing. That is the route I would take. Of course it will probably be all out of pocket, but just to know for sure what you are dealing with is the best. So try local schools that have departments in auditory processing and see what you can come up with.

**kattails** · 10-13-2009, 12:28 PM

thank you all that have responded to my post from yesterday. I almost didn't post anything for fear of sounding like an idiot...I amazed at how many of us have children like this and basically get ignored. what amazes me more is the kindness and encouraging words that all of you have offered and it came from perfect strangers.

our local university, East Carolina University, has a speech-language and hearing clinic that specializes in testing for auditory processing. GREAT! but when I called they said I would have to have my son evaluated and he would need to be given an IQ test and they should do it through the school. that's how I ended up wasting my time at the school yesterday, trying to get him tested. which the only way the school will test him for anything is if he is failing. and he's not failing bc I work with him so much at home, I make everything into flash cards for him. I dread to think about how many trees I have killed over the years with all the index cards we have used.

and as far as homeschooling goes...I am seriously considering it, that's basically what I have been doing for the past 3 years anyway. my son has not had a teacher that had his best interest as a top priority since he was in 1st grade. can anyone give me some insight on homeschooling? the closest home school group I found near us is about an hour away. and with all the information I found on the internet it's really overwhelming...