ADD and sensory issues | ADHD Information

My 8 year old son was recently diagnosed with ADD.  He was put on Adderaall.

My question is this.  Is it common and part of having ADD to be sensitive to noise?  My son complains to me that he doesn't like phyed because of all the noise.  He has complained of noise in the past.  I wonder if the outside noise is really actually physically hurting his head and if that goes along with ADD.  He doesn't usually complain of all things or isn't super sensitive to noises otherwise, just a few things so I know it's not really a full blown sensory issue with him.  Thanks.

My son was diagnosed with sensory integration at age 2. Yes this is sensory. It changes so he will learn to handle the noise but another sensory situation may arise.

We have been through all sorts of sensory stuff. My son didn't like hair washes, hair cuts, loved deep pressure, couldn't feel pain, then it all changed. He wouldn't eat certain foods, now feels pain, doesn't mind hair cuts, but doesn't like to take baths/showers any more, used to hate swinging, now loves it. hated the smell of popcorn, now he even eats it.

He also had trouble due to sensory with writing, he pushed down too hard, his pensmanship is also rough but I have seen worse. He had an OT help with all thi stuff through the school system.

I would have your son evaluated. i also had him in a private therapy for it from health south, and speech - which I believe is from sensory - the tongue, teeth sensation in his mouth. He is still getting speech from the school at age 12

Bethann, you seem to know so much about all of this.  Thank you for answering so many questions.  I am so new to this...

You are welcome, my son is now 12 and i have live it every day. i love him so much I just want life to be better and easier for him, in all ways!!

He is a fine young man and will grow up and be an asset to the community!!

Please feel free to ask any questions. There are lots of us here on the boards who can help!! You are not alone!

Hi zell828, and welcome!  My son also has sensory integration problems with sound (among other things!).  I would definitely check with your doc or an occupational therapist for an evaluation.

Another thing to watch out for is that the stimulants can aggravate his sensory problems.  My son is on Ritalin and it works very well for his hyperactivity and impulsiveness but aggravates his sensory stuff.  For instance, when he started the stimulants his sensitivity to noise got much worse!  I didn't know why at the time but it was the medication.  The doc put him on Tenex along with the Ritalin and it calms the sensory system and the other stimulant side effects.

Have you noticed your son being more sensitive to sound after starting Adderall? 

"...My son complains to me that he doesn't like phyed because of all the noise..."

Sandy, it may not be just the loudness that is discomforting to your son, but also the "jumble" of the many noises going on all at once in his gym class that may be disorienting for him.

My hearing was sensitive when I was a kid and it still is sensitive and when I'm in a room with a lot of noise I still get overwhelmed at times.  As a kid I never really understood what was happening or what was causing my uneasieness/anxiety--it's like all of a sudden a switch is flipped and I'm no longer enjoying myself and just want to get out.  May be similar for your little guy...he might not be able to explain it--he just knows he gets uncomfortable.  

Some sensitivities do diminish with age.... I no longer have to remove all labels from my shirt collars!

My seven yr old son is adhd/aspergers. He is sensitve to sound. We have had to carry ear plugs w/us for outings. A loud restaurant sent him into a screaming fit for 3 hours. Last year his first grade teacher allowed him to use earplugs at the beginning of the year until he got used to the classroom noise. They work wonders. We even use them in church because the music is too loud.W

 

We figured out the hearing sensitivity and are now trying to deal with a new one - everything itches his skin. I am trying everything I can think of to make him comfortable.

My son has adhd and sensory issues also. I have to cut out all tags from shirts and sometimes socks bother him too. He has a hard time with noise.. except for when he is making it of course. He will yell at his sister just for talking sometimes and saying she is being really loud when she is not.

We went to the rainforest cafe, lots of animal noise and background forest sounds. He hated being there because of the noise.

This is definatly part of adhd.
My son (7) was diagnosed with ADD & Mood Disorder 1 1/2 yrs ago. He also
has the sensory issue. He's never liked loud noises either. He didn't like
baths & getting his head wet, but now loves to swim. Tags on clothing bug
him, certain socks bug him. I understand what you are saying. In our
journey with our son, we found sensory issues were part of the ADD. There
are just so many different forms of ADD & each child experiences it in their
own way, it's hard to know what to do. EVERYTHING bothers my 14 year old ADD (non-hyper) daughter.  I have wondered if she is "aspie" but docs and teachers say no way.  I want to ask about Tenex......is it an option for treating anxiety and impulse control issues in a non-hyper ADD teen?  I have been to about 8 Psychiatrists over the past 10 years and have never heard of it.  She has tried soooooo many medications over the past 9 years along with therapy....have not found the right combo yet....

Do you think there is a sensory component? The signs changes. They can go from hating something to loving it. My son hated popcorn, now loves it, hated swinging, now loves it. It goes on and on.

It is very hard until you find the combo. But once you do, it is awesome.

My son has been very successful on concerta and tenex for the past 5 years. I swear by it for him. We just have to have the right dosage right. Once we upped the concerta but it didn't help him until we increased his tenex, that is how much it helps him.

I describe it as the "frosting on a cake!"

I wish her and you all the best!!