How did you cope in Elementary School?

[Guest guest]

With a new school year starting next week, I was wondering how all of

you were able to cope sitting in the classroom? My daughter is a very

good student, and she loves school, but it is a major challenge for

her to just make it through the school day in a classroom. All the

paper noises, sniffling, pencils, water bottle sucking, etc. What did

you do when you were in the classroom?

I'd appreciate any input. She really doesn't want to be homeschooled,

but I can't have her breaking down sobbing in school every day--she is

in the 4th grade this year and it would be very embarassing for her.

Thanks,

Kathy Howe

[Guest guest]

As a high school student myself, I hope that this tip can help your

daughter and other 4S students.

You might consider getting your daughter a small squishy ball -- a

stress ball, or whatnot -- to distract herself from the noise. She can

keep it within reach, say in her pocket, desk, or backpack. The ones

with gel inside of them feel nice, but I prefer the ones with tiny

polystyrene pellets inside. Not only are they cheaper, but they make a

bit of white noise. Perhaps the mild crunch of polystyrene would be

helpful. I know that it really helps me.

[Guest guest]

Thanks,

She has several stress balls, etc. They haven't really worked.

Thanks for the input.

Kathy Howe

-----Original Message-----From: Soundsensitivity [mailto:Soundsensitivity ]On Behalf Of k2_fan_foreverSent: Tuesday, August 29, 2006 10:14 PMTo: Soundsensitivity Subject: Re: How did you cope in Elementary School?

As a high school student myself, I hope that this tip can help your daughter and other 4S students.You might consider getting your daughter a small squishy ball -- a stress ball, or whatnot -- to distract herself from the noise. She can keep it within reach, say in her pocket, desk, or backpack. The ones with gel inside of them feel nice, but I prefer the ones with tiny polystyrene pellets inside. Not only are they cheaper, but they make a bit of white noise. Perhaps the mild crunch of polystyrene would be helpful. I know that it really helps me.

[Guest guest]

Kathy- have you contacted your daughter's teacher and explained the

situation to her? She may be in a position to advocate for your

daughter by prohibiting gum chewing, limiting the water bottles in the

classroom, encouraging the kids to blow their noses instead of

sniffling etc. Obviously all the sounds won't be eliminated, but to

have the adult in the classroom be conscious of them might help.

My daughter is fortunate in that she attends a boarding school and the

classes are usually very small. She has spoken to classmates and

asked them to please " hold the gum " on occasion and for the most part

the kids have cooperated....but she is 17 and not 8. Her success with

confronting peers hasn't been as positive in the dorm re: loud music,

crunching potato chips, etc, etc.

Good luck to you...the start of the school year can be stressful

enough without the added 4s to deal with.

>

> With a new school year starting next week, I was wondering how all of

> you were able to cope sitting in the classroom? My daughter is a very

> good student, and she loves school, but it is a major challenge for

> her to just make it through the school day in a classroom. All the

> paper noises, sniffling, pencils, water bottle sucking, etc. What did

> you do when you were in the classroom?

>

> I'd appreciate any input. She really doesn't want to be homeschooled,

> but I can't have her breaking down sobbing in school every day--she is

> in the 4th grade this year and it would be very embarassing for her.

>

> Thanks,

> Kathy Howe

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks so much for your response. I have talked to her teacher. He is very understanding, and I don't think he will allow gum chewing. However, I know they usually encourage water bottles because they want to discourage frequent trips to the water fountain.

Was your daughter more sensitive when she was younger? My daughter hears paper rustling, pencils writing, etc. I am hoping that these extreme soft noises will get less bothersome as she gets older. She has amazing hearing! I know that apparently we lose the ability to hear higher frequencies as we get older. I was on the website http://ochenk.com and it had different ranges of high frequencies, and I could only hear 14000 Hz and lower, while Becca could hear as high as 21000 Hz. I'm hoping that this is why she is so sensitive right now, but will get less as she gets older.

Thanks for your help.

Kathy

-----Original Message-----From: Soundsensitivity [mailto:Soundsensitivity ]On Behalf Of imkatiejcSent: Thursday, August 31, 2006 8:00 PMTo: Soundsensitivity Subject: Re: How did you cope in Elementary School?

Kathy- have you contacted your daughter's teacher and explained thesituation to her? She may be in a position to advocate for yourdaughter by prohibiting gum chewing, limiting the water bottles in theclassroom, encouraging the kids to blow their noses instead ofsniffling etc. Obviously all the sounds won't be eliminated, but tohave the adult in the classroom be conscious of them might help.My daughter is fortunate in that she attends a boarding school and theclasses are usually very small. She has spoken to classmates andasked them to please "hold the gum" on occasion and for the most partthe kids have cooperated....but she is 17 and not 8. Her success withconfronting peers hasn't been as positive in the dorm re: loud music,crunching potato chips, etc, etc. Good luck to you...the start of the school year can be stressfulenough without the added 4s to deal with. >> With a new school year starting next week, I was wondering how all of > you were able to cope sitting in the classroom? My daughter is a very > good student, and she loves school, but it is a major challenge for > her to just make it through the school day in a classroom. All the > paper noises, sniffling, pencils, water bottle sucking, etc. What did > you do when you were in the classroom?> > I'd appreciate any input. She really doesn't want to be homeschooled, > but I can't have her breaking down sobbing in school every day--she is > in the 4th grade this year and it would be very embarassing for her.> > Thanks,> Kathy Howe>

[Guest guest]

Blowing isn't much better than sniffing...it's horrible too! ech!

I always think people should go blow their noses in private! We

don't pee in front of each other - why should we snot in public?

It always amazes me that people aren't totally embarassed to blow

snot or sniffle and swallow snot in front of other people...

anyways, good luck to your poor daughter, Kathy! I remember my

teacher in 5th grade that drove me SO INSANE! She must of had

allergies or something AND she chewed with her mouth open!...it was

pure torture...I wanted to scream at her but of course just held the

rage in and went to the bathroom all the time and tried to find

incognito ways to plug my ears...one time I even tried to ask nicely

why she makes those noises...it looked like she got her feelings

hurt even tho I was trying to be nice about it...

(Her nose blowing was better than the sniffing and clucking throat

sounds she constantly made...)

Apparently I didn't hurt her feelings too much -I saw her a few

years ago and she told me I was one of her most interesting and

favorite students

I don't recall the other students bothering me too much...

> >

> > With a new school year starting next week, I was wondering how

all of

> > you were able to cope sitting in the classroom? My daughter is

a very

> > good student, and she loves school, but it is a major challenge

for

> > her to just make it through the school day in a classroom. All

the

> > paper noises, sniffling, pencils, water bottle sucking, etc.

What did

> > you do when you were in the classroom?

> >

> > I'd appreciate any input. She really doesn't want to be

homeschooled,

> > but I can't have her breaking down sobbing in school every day--

she is

> > in the 4th grade this year and it would be very embarassing for

her.

> >

> > Thanks,

> > Kathy Howe

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks for your reply. It must have been horrible for you. At least Becca's teachers accept her condition and allow her to wear headphones and stuff.

The problem is she is so sensitive, she still hears everything.

We might be homeschooling this year.

Thanks,

Kathy

-----Original Message-----From: Soundsensitivity [mailto:Soundsensitivity ]On Behalf Of celestemelodySent: Thursday, August 31, 2006 9:58 PMTo: Soundsensitivity Subject: Re: How did you cope in Elementary School?

Blowing isn't much better than sniffing...it's horrible too! ech!I always think people should go blow their noses in private! We don't pee in front of each other - why should we snot in public?It always amazes me that people aren't totally embarassed to blow snot or sniffle and swallow snot in front of other people...anyways, good luck to your poor daughter, Kathy! I remember my teacher in 5th grade that drove me SO INSANE! She must of had allergies or something AND she chewed with her mouth open!...it was pure torture...I wanted to scream at her but of course just held the rage in and went to the bathroom all the time and tried to find incognito ways to plug my ears...one time I even tried to ask nicely why she makes those noises...it looked like she got her feelings hurt even tho I was trying to be nice about it...(Her nose blowing was better than the sniffing and clucking throat sounds she constantly made...)Apparently I didn't hurt her feelings too much -I saw her a few years ago and she told me I was one of her most interesting and favorite students ;)I don't recall the other students bothering me too much...> >> > With a new school year starting next week, I was wondering how all of > > you were able to cope sitting in the classroom? My daughter is a very > > good student, and she loves school, but it is a major challenge for > > her to just make it through the school day in a classroom. All the > > paper noises, sniffling, pencils, water bottle sucking, etc. What did > > you do when you were in the classroom?> > > > I'd appreciate any input. She really doesn't want to be homeschooled, > > but I can't have her breaking down sobbing in school every day--she is > > in the 4th grade this year and it would be very embarassing for her.> > > > Thanks,> > Kathy Howe> >>

[Guest guest]

I'm still going to school and last year I Dind't pass. Because of al

the noises I constantly wear my MP3 player with in-ear speakers to

stop the noises from the classroom. I wear it from the bus to school,

till the moment I step out of the bus that drives me home.

At school I hear all the noisen, especialy when I try not focus me on

them, so I turn on the music.

My teachers know about it but they don't really care. They know it

but they can't do anything about it. Some of the other students know

about it but some of them blow or sniff just to hurt me. They think

it's a game. The project we have now -making an airconditioning- is

perfect. I can work most off the time alone with a computer,

programming, making parts for the airco, all things wich can be done

by myself without help of the others in my project-group.

There is not much to do about it, the noises will always be there.

What DID help for me, was private teaching. Just me and the teacher

and a book. All the attention just for me, in one hour I could learn

more than a whole week with the other kids in the classroom.

>

> With a new school year starting next week, I was wondering how all

of

> you were able to cope sitting in the classroom? My daughter is a

very

> good student, and she loves school, but it is a major challenge for

> her to just make it through the school day in a classroom. All the

> paper noises, sniffling, pencils, water bottle sucking, etc. What

did

> you do when you were in the classroom?

>

> I'd appreciate any input. She really doesn't want to be

homeschooled,

> but I can't have her breaking down sobbing in school every day--she

is

> in the 4th grade this year and it would be very embarassing for her.

>

> Thanks,

> Kathy Howe

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks,

What grade are you in? I'm sorry it's so hard. It shouldn't be like that.

Kathy Howe

-----Original Message-----From: Soundsensitivity [mailto:Soundsensitivity ]On Behalf Of JeroenSent: Saturday, September 02, 2006 2:42 PMTo: Soundsensitivity Subject: Re: How did you cope in Elementary School?

I'm still going to school and last year I Dind't pass. Because of al the noises I constantly wear my MP3 player with in-ear speakers to stop the noises from the classroom. I wear it from the bus to school, till the moment I step out of the bus that drives me home.At school I hear all the noisen, especialy when I try not focus me on them, so I turn on the music.My teachers know about it but they don't really care. They know it but they can't do anything about it. Some of the other students know about it but some of them blow or sniff just to hurt me. They think it's a game. The project we have now -making an airconditioning- is perfect. I can work most off the time alone with a computer, programming, making parts for the airco, all things wich can be done by myself without help of the others in my project-group.There is not much to do about it, the noises will always be there.What DID help for me, was private teaching. Just me and the teacher and a book. All the attention just for me, in one hour I could learn more than a whole week with the other kids in the classroom.>> With a new school year starting next week, I was wondering how all of > you were able to cope sitting in the classroom? My daughter is a very > good student, and she loves school, but it is a major challenge for > her to just make it through the school day in a classroom. All the > paper noises, sniffling, pencils, water bottle sucking, etc. What did > you do when you were in the classroom?> > I'd appreciate any input. She really doesn't want to be homeschooled, > but I can't have her breaking down sobbing in school every day--she is > in the 4th grade this year and it would be very embarassing for her.> > Thanks,> Kathy Howe>

[Guest guest]

It would be good to print out your letter, and go to the head of your

school or a counselor and show them your letter and this website, and

also tell them about the American Disabilities Act of 1999, which

states that reasonable accomodation must be made for people in work

settings (or school settings) who have needs.

If you can learn in a quiet setting, they need to provide you with one.

Please do this and let us know what happens.

I would happy to talk with your parents or teachers about this, if you

want.

Marsha , MS, CCC-A, FAAA

[Guest guest]

I hate to be a pessimist, but I know the school district I work for requires documentation from a physician of any medical condition that requires accommodations. I haven't yet found a physician that has any inkling of this condition. In my district you would be better off approaching the individual instructor. In my experience, schools are reluctant to institute 504 Plans for disabilities unless they absolutely have to because they can become costly. YMMV- Kate

Re: How did you cope in Elementary School?

It would be good to print out your letter, and go to the head of your school or a counselor and show them your letter and this website, and also tell them about the American Disabilities Act of 1999, which states that reasonable accomodation must be made for people in work settings (or school settings) who have needs.If you can learn in a quiet setting, they need to provide you with one.Please do this and let us know what happens.I would happy to talk with your parents or teachers about this, if you want.Marsha , MS, CCC-A, FAAA

[Guest guest]

Kathy- actually it has only become an issue for my daughter over the last couple of years. We can't identify any precipitating event and I don't remember it being an issue prior to high school. She also has incredible hearing. I had her evaluated by an ENT this summer who remarked, "you've heard the expression "can hear a pin drop."? This kid really can hear a pin drop."

She has had a number of issues over time that seemingly have no etiology (idiopathic anaphylaxis in middle school; hair loss as a freshman; diagnosed with asthma as a junior). Thyroid screening has been within normal limits, celiac has been ruled out, food allergy testing (done twice) has been negative. I have a gut feeling that some of these issues may be related and it is only a matter of time before the problem is identified. I have no idea how 4S fits into the bigger picture. I do know it is her biggest challenge.

How has school gone so far for your daughter? I dropped my kid off yesterday & could have cheered when I found she was in a double & not a triple. Apparently she had self advocated to the dean of students via email over the summer and the dean responded by moving one student out of the room....1/2 the noise to deal with. A very large blessing.

Kate

RE: Re: How did you cope in Elementary School?

Thanks so much for your response. I have talked to her teacher. He is very understanding, and I don't think he will allow gum chewing. However, I know they usually encourage water bottles because they want to discourage frequent trips to the water fountain.

Was your daughter more sensitive when she was younger? My daughter hears paper rustling, pencils writing, etc. I am hoping that these extreme soft noises will get less bothersome as she gets older. She has amazing hearing! I know that apparently we lose the ability to hear higher frequencies as we get older. I was on the website http://ochenk.com and it had different ranges of high frequencies, and I could only hear 14000 Hz and lower, while Becca could hear as high as 21000 Hz. I'm hoping that this is why she is so sensitive right now, but will get less as she gets older.

Thanks for your help.

Kathy

-----Original Message-----From: Soundsensitivity [mailto:Soundsensitivity ]On Behalf Of imkatiejcSent: Thursday, August 31, 2006 8:00 PMTo: Soundsensitivity Subject: Re: How did you cope in Elementary School?

Kathy- have you contacted your daughter's teacher and explained thesituation to her? She may be in a position to advocate for yourdaughter by prohibiting gum chewing, limiting the water bottles in theclassroom, encouraging the kids to blow their noses instead ofsniffling etc. Obviously all the sounds won't be eliminated, but tohave the adult in the classroom be conscious of them might help.My daughter is fortunate in that she attends a boarding school and theclasses are usually very small. She has spoken to classmates andasked them to please "hold the gum" on occasion and for the most partthe kids have cooperated....but she is 17 and not 8. Her success withconfronting peers hasn't been as positive in the dorm re: loud music,crunching potato chips, etc, etc. Good luck to you...the start of the school year can be stressfulenough without the added 4s to deal with. >> With a new school year starting next week, I was wondering how all of > you were able to cope sitting in the classroom? My daughter is a very > good student, and she loves school, but it is a major challenge for > her to just make it through the school day in a classroom. All the > paper noises, sniffling, pencils, water bottle sucking, etc. What did > you do when you were in the classroom?> > I'd appreciate any input. She really doesn't want to be homeschooled, > but I can't have her breaking down sobbing in school every day--she is > in the 4th grade this year and it would be very embarassing for her.> > Thanks,> Kathy Howe>

[Guest guest]

Kate,

Actually today was the first day and it went amazingly well. She has a wonderful teacher which I think she is excited about which helps her deal better with the noises.

I'm hoping tomorrow will be just as good.

I hope you can find what is the cause of your daughters symptoms. They probably are related. Make sure all your doctors know all her symptoms. I watch that show "Mystery Diagnosis" and it usually takes a while to find someone who looks at the big picture. Keep looking.

Take care--

Kathy Howe

-----Original Message-----From: Soundsensitivity [mailto:Soundsensitivity ]On Behalf Of jcSent: Tuesday, September 05, 2006 5:19 PMTo: Soundsensitivity Subject: Re: Re: How did you cope in Elementary School?

Kathy- actually it has only become an issue for my daughter over the last couple of years. We can't identify any precipitating event and I don't remember it being an issue prior to high school. She also has incredible hearing. I had her evaluated by an ENT this summer who remarked, "you've heard the expression "can hear a pin drop."? This kid really can hear a pin drop."

She has had a number of issues over time that seemingly have no etiology (idiopathic anaphylaxis in middle school; hair loss as a freshman; diagnosed with asthma as a junior). Thyroid screening has been within normal limits, celiac has been ruled out, food allergy testing (done twice) has been negative. I have a gut feeling that some of these issues may be related and it is only a matter of time before the problem is identified. I have no idea how 4S fits into the bigger picture. I do know it is her biggest challenge.

How has school gone so far for your daughter? I dropped my kid off yesterday & could have cheered when I found she was in a double & not a triple. Apparently she had self advocated to the dean of students via email over the summer and the dean responded by moving one student out of the room....1/2 the noise to deal with. A very large blessing.

Kate

RE: Re: How did you cope in Elementary School?

Thanks so much for your response. I have talked to her teacher. He is very understanding, and I don't think he will allow gum chewing. However, I know they usually encourage water bottles because they want to discourage frequent trips to the water fountain.

Was your daughter more sensitive when she was younger? My daughter hears paper rustling, pencils writing, etc. I am hoping that these extreme soft noises will get less bothersome as she gets older. She has amazing hearing! I know that apparently we lose the ability to hear higher frequencies as we get older. I was on the website http://ochenk.com and it had different ranges of high frequencies, and I could only hear 14000 Hz and lower, while Becca could hear as high as 21000 Hz. I'm hoping that this is why she is so sensitive right now, but will get less as she gets older.

Thanks for your help.

Kathy

-----Original Message-----From: Soundsensitivity [mailto:Soundsensitivity ]On Behalf Of imkatiejcSent: Thursday, August 31, 2006 8:00 PMTo: Soundsensitivity Subject: Re: How did you cope in Elementary School?

Kathy- have you contacted your daughter's teacher and explained thesituation to her? She may be in a position to advocate for yourdaughter by prohibiting gum chewing, limiting the water bottles in theclassroom, encouraging the kids to blow their noses instead ofsniffling etc. Obviously all the sounds won't be eliminated, but tohave the adult in the classroom be conscious of them might help.My daughter is fortunate in that she attends a boarding school and theclasses are usually very small. She has spoken to classmates andasked them to please "hold the gum" on occasion and for the most partthe kids have cooperated....but she is 17 and not 8. Her success withconfronting peers hasn't been as positive in the dorm re: loud music,crunching potato chips, etc, etc. Good luck to you...the start of the school year can be stressfulenough without the added 4s to deal with. >> With a new school year starting next week, I was wondering how all of > you were able to cope sitting in the classroom? My daughter is a very > good student, and she loves school, but it is a major challenge for > her to just make it through the school day in a classroom. All the > paper noises, sniffling, pencils, water bottle sucking, etc. What did > you do when you were in the classroom?> > I'd appreciate any input. She really doesn't want to be homeschooled, > but I can't have her breaking down sobbing in school every day--she is > in the 4th grade this year and it would be very embarassing for her.> > Thanks,> Kathy Howe>

[Guest guest]

Hi Kathy - Sorry for the delayed response.

Elementary school was hell for me but it doesn't need to be for

Becca. She's already off to a good start with teacher awareness and

her parents as advocates. She might do best sitting in the corner

near the door in front of the room. The sounds would come at her

from fewer directions. I know it would have helped me in school if

only I could turn my chair - even the littlest bit would have made me

feel as if I had some control - it would have also helped me to get

back into my body. If she gets to sit in that spot, she would have

room to scoot her chair as needed. The teacher will also have an

easier time to catch her eye to keep her engaged and concentrating.

And yes - it's true - it will get easier as she gets older - after

she gets over the hump and moves into adulthood she will have the

opportunity to become one of the most conscious and honest people

anyone would have the pleasure of knowing. To get her over the hump

she will need self-esteem and calm calm calm. As you know she needs

calm and comfort. I began to self-medicate at age 13 and my life

got really ugly for many years. My best to you with strength -

Adah

PS - I have been doing intensive EFT now and am seeing improvement -

real small changes but real nontheless. There's an interesting

article I will post here . . .

> > >

> > > With a new school year starting next week, I was wondering how

> all of

> > > you were able to cope sitting in the classroom? My daughter is

> a very

> > > good student, and she loves school, but it is a major

challenge

> for

> > > her to just make it through the school day in a classroom. All

> the

> > > paper noises, sniffling, pencils, water bottle sucking, etc.

> What did

> > > you do when you were in the classroom?

> > >

> > > I'd appreciate any input. She really doesn't want to be

> homeschooled,

> > > but I can't have her breaking down sobbing in school every

day--

> she is

> > > in the 4th grade this year and it would be very embarassing

for

> her.

> > >

> > > Thanks,

> > > Kathy Howe

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks Adah for your response. I do think that it really helps that she has a diagnosis and her teachers are aware of it. I'm sorry that you had to endure a childhood with SSSS and no one to understand.

You are a big help to the younger generation of sufferers.

Thanks--

Kathy Howe

-----Original Message-----From: Soundsensitivity [mailto:Soundsensitivity ]On Behalf Of adah_123Sent: Friday, September 08, 2006 12:38 PMTo: Soundsensitivity Subject: Re: How did you cope in Elementary School?

Hi Kathy - Sorry for the delayed response.Elementary school was hell for me but it doesn't need to be for Becca. She's already off to a good start with teacher awareness and her parents as advocates. She might do best sitting in the corner near the door in front of the room. The sounds would come at her from fewer directions. I know it would have helped me in school if only I could turn my chair - even the littlest bit would have made me feel as if I had some control - it would have also helped me to get back into my body. If she gets to sit in that spot, she would have room to scoot her chair as needed. The teacher will also have an easier time to catch her eye to keep her engaged and concentrating. And yes - it's true - it will get easier as she gets older - after she gets over the hump and moves into adulthood she will have the opportunity to become one of the most conscious and honest people anyone would have the pleasure of knowing. To get her over the hump she will need self-esteem and calm calm calm. As you know she needs calm and comfort. I began to self-medicate at age 13 and my life got really ugly for many years. My best to you with strength - Adah PS - I have been doing intensive EFT now and am seeing improvement - real small changes but real nontheless. There's an interesting article I will post here . . . > > >> > > With a new school year starting next week, I was wondering how> all of> > > you were able to cope sitting in the classroom? My daughter is> a very> > > good student, and she loves school, but it is a major challenge> for> > > her to just make it through the school day in a classroom. All> the> > > paper noises, sniffling, pencils, water bottle sucking, etc.> What did> > > you do when you were in the classroom?> > >> > > I'd appreciate any input. She really doesn't want to be> homeschooled,> > > but I can't have her breaking down sobbing in school every day--> she is> > > in the 4th grade this year and it would be very embarassing for> her.> > >> > > Thanks,> > > Kathy Howe> > >> >>