An About Visitor wrote:
I have a 7yo daughter that was diagnosed with ADHD toward the end of the first semester of school last year. She has been treating with medication (Concerta) but has not shown any change in behavior at home, and did not improve in school as we had hoped. I have read a lot about CAPD and was curious that maybe this is the real problem and not ADHD. Since I've read nothing that mentions medication as a possible option in treating this, am I to assume that medication does not help CAPD? I am in the process of having my daughter re-evaluated for ADHD, but do not want to continue medicating her if it is not going to help. Is there any evidence that medication such as Concerta will help with this problem, or is it simply an ADHD medication? Your advice is much appreciated.
I have a 7yo daughter that was diagnosed with ADHD toward the end of the first semester of school last year. She has been treating with medication (Concerta) but has not shown any change in behavior at home, and did not improve in school as we had hoped. I have read a lot about CAPD and was curious that maybe this is the real problem and not ADHD. Since I've read nothing that mentions medication as a possible option in treating this, am I to assume that medication does not help CAPD? I am in the process of having my daughter re-evaluated for ADHD, but do not want to continue medicating her if it is not going to help. Is there any evidence that medication such as Concerta will help with this problem, or is it simply an ADHD medication? Your advice is much appreciated.
My answer:
I would suggest trying other medication for the ADHD first. There are several available. About.com also has a guide for ADD: http://add.about.com/ who will be able to help you further.
As for CAPD, I have not heard of medication helping. An article on CAPD is at:
http://deafness.about.com/cs/featurescauses/a/capd.htm
You child may not be ADHD. I have had many children hearing and deaf who were labeled ADHD. About your daughter, first of all what kind of communication do you have with her? Do you sign ASL? This will require lots of your time-meaning sacrifice lots of things until your daughter has confidence in you, trust you, know that she can depend on you at all times, and know that she is loved. You need to have time with her alone for an hour or more–just to talk, read, play, etc. When she behaves very well, praise her, not to buy her anything. Take her to see a movie, then eat out –go to the park–anything that you can spend time with her–mother/daughter conversation. You need to explain to your daughter why any negative behavior is not acceptable–instead show her what is acceptable. If you have a husband and more children–all need to learn sign language to communicate with her. Forget about oral method, SEE (Sign Exact English). Drawing is a very good way to communicate. Sign when you read the book with her-if you have any conversation with anybody, sign in front of her at all times-everywhere at her present. In another words, you and your family must sign at all times. Get your/his parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends anyone who assoicate in your and your husband’s lives to sign. This will make a big differnece in your child’s life and yours, too. Prayer is the key to everything-pray to God to guide you, help you to reduce your frustations, many more. Good luck.
For a few years I thought that my daughter might have ADHD or ADD—She didn’t mind well at all. In hind sight it is all clear now. A lot of her behaviors were out of fear because she couldn;t hear well. She had been tested for a hearing problem and passed at birth. She was not talking well at 2 years, she didn’t like to talk on the telephone and she did not watch cartoons. (you can’t read lips on cartoons) She saw a specialist and had tubes put in her ears, (for fluid) she was tested again by an audiologist and passed. She passed the kindergarten hearing screening too. I kept insisting that something wasn’t right. Finally she was tested while asleep in a hospital setting by an audiologist. She did have a hearing loss. She had been a huge bluffer and read lips extremely well. She has been wearing hearing aids since she was 5 (the hearing loss was congenital) at the end of kindergarten she finally got an FM monitor and the difference is unvelievable. Behavior is normal and she is a joy to be around. All those tests she was lip reading or figuring out the timing to put her hand up for the beep. Kids find amazing ways of coping. Whatever you do don’t shy away from looking for help or a solution. Be vigilent -and keep insisiting on an answer. You are your child’s best advocate. I had to take the school district to mediation in order for my daughter to get the FM monitor…and I teach in the district! The center on deafness was extremely helpful in my state. There was a web site that compared ADHD & Hearing loss behaviors as being similar. I don’t know too much about testing for what you are asking but keep insisting on help from your special ed dept. Good Luck- don’t give up.
I have a 22 year old daughter and a 16 year old niece both of whom have diagnosis of CAPD. I think my mother and I both have to lesser degree. Grandmother had it worse before it had a name. Grandmother was not able to go to school and had problems hearing and saying many words. When she was little an audiologist had me buy my daughter an f.m. system. We used it for one year but it was a waste of money and it did not seem to help her. She is doing fine now. She has finished HS and has a job. My neice is still in H.S. but is in a special class. She is very good at sports but some academics are hard for her.
Hi, I am an Audiologist and no real expert on CAPD although I have studied it a bit in school. However, my collogue is, and specializes in testing and therapy for CAPD. If you email me I would be happy to send her information to you.
Her name is Dimitra Loomis and she is located in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Good Luck,
Jessa
I’m interested in getting information about Dmitra Loomis. I understand she is in Danville and I am in Danville as well and would like to get my 13 year old son tested.