Sensory breakdown

[Willowbee37]

my 9yr old has moderate/severe ADHD managed by meds. He went to a kids bday party the other day and an hour in the host called and said my son pulled him aside and said the noise was too much for him and asked him to call me to pick him up.

SO proud he advocated for himself!

Question. He was SO overstimulated when I picked him up (LOTS of wild kids, small house) that even the smallest noise on the drive home had him absolutely melting down. He got out his tears and was ok after.

Is that sensory overload/sensitivity part of ADHD or anxiety? Do you guys see that with your kiddos? Does it get better, do they grow out of it or just learn to advocate for themselves with it??

[Klmamma]

Mine is the same age and this has begun hapenning over the last year. He used to be the crazy too loud noise and now it bothers him. I would be ecstatic that my son was that self aware!!

I've noticed my son gets totally still and quiet when we arrive at the park, school, field trips etc. He stands off by himself for a bit and then he's himself. His best friend just turned 10 and has begun doing this as well. I'm thinking it's part of their age. I really think they're starting to be more self aware and it's always bothered them; they just handled it differently when they were younger.

[Willowbee37 in reply to Klmamma]

Ahh, very interesting! My son does the same with standing alone for a bit. It’s like they have to adjust to their surrounding. Thanks for the input!

[Aloysia]

Both my kids have noise sensitivity as well. My now 14 yr old has adamantly refused any type of headphones to help with it. My now 12 yr old recently asked if she could have Loop noise reducing earplugs. She saw them on a you-tube video by an ADHDer. I agreed and she loves them. We just added them to her 504 plan so the teachers would know that these can't connect to anything (like a phone or computer).

us.loopearplugs.com/

[Willowbee37 in reply to Aloysia]

Yes! Those are what our OT recommended for the lunch room. He often goes to the office cause he said the kids screaming are giving him a headache. Which I would probably be the same!

[MomofADHDBoy6]

hi there. My son is almost 6 and has severe ADHD, but he has always been sensitive to loud noises it totally freaks him out. I didn’t even realize it was associated with the adhd until he got diagnosed. Sometimes I feel so bad that he gets so overwhelmed. I’m glad your son was able to make a choice that helped him in that situation!

[Willowbee37 in reply to MomofADHDBoy6]

I’ve always been very vocal with him about if it’s too much have an adult call me and I’ll be there quickly. I also tell him to tell an adult he needs to sit outside for a moment cause it’s too noise. He still absolutely came unglued in the car and it was so sad but bounced back quickly. We went and sat by the lake and listened to the waves crash. It’s the only time my son is quiet and still 🌊

[Elijah1]

Likely due to anxiety.

[Willowbee37 in reply to Elijah1]

I’m starting to agree with that. His doc has him diagnosed with GAD and offered meds as he’s done lots of therapy for it. Reconsidering meds for it now as I’ve previously denied them.

[Elijah1 in reply to Willowbee37]

Good idea. Living with anxiety is stressful and can aggravate any underlying attentional challenge.