An issue came up this week for several of our clients: the challenge of returning to in-person classrooms with the distraction and over-stimulation of background classroom noise. Receptive and expressive sound tolerance is an interesting phenomena with exceptional children. How often have I heard a parent say, “My child thinks I’m screaming at them, when I’ve just raised my voice, or used a firm tone, but when they yell at me, they don’t seem to notice it,” or “my child has no capacity to regulate their voice”.
Sounds have the capacity to both over-stimulate and calm the regulatory system. We each have a sensory profile that is as unique as our personalities. I, for instance, am calmed by natural background noise: wind, rain, birds, waves. To sleep I need absolute silence. My son, however, always had to do his homework to very loud hard rock, and fall asleep to classical choral music endlessly looping.
This week I had a team meeting about a child who is struggling to return to the classroom. Particularly challenging was focusing in math class. His comment was, “I can’t listen,” which is quite different from, “I can’t hear”. What he is telling us I believe, is he can’t focus and concentrate on what the teacher is saying with all the background noise in his classroom.
My first suggestion was noise cancelling headphones, but his O.T. informed us he actually concentrates better when he has some background noise. This means we have to differentiate between the types of background noise that result in this particular child’s optimal concentration. His SPED teacher reminded us he is at the age where anything that singles him out from his peers is not okay with him. So, removal to a quiet space, headphones, or walling off in a quiet corner of the classroom, increases his social anxiety by differentiating him from his peers.
In order to help this child, we need to find his optimal background noise, and attach it to earbuds and a small device that has cultural approval with his peers like a smart phone. I wondered what it would be like if a classroom provided ear buds, devices, and choice of background noise for all students? You would then be able to cancel out all background noise except each child’s preferred sound and the teacher’s voice, hopefully leading to optimal learning. It’s certainly worth a try.
If your child is struggling to concentrate in an overly active classroom setting, you might seek approval from your teacher or SPED team to try ear buds with a regulating soundtrack of your child’s preference, and a seat close to where the teacher will be presenting their lesson. If you don’t want your child to enter into “phone culture,” you can ask your teacher to keep the device in the classroom until your child arrives. It will then become a positive reinforcer for a hitherto anguishing classroom experience.
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Disclaimer:
Neither the publisher nor the author are engaged in rendering advice or services to the individual reader. The ideas, procedures, and suggestions continued in this blog are not intended as a substitute for consulting with a licensed mental health and or child development advisor. All matters regarding the health and development of your child require professional supervision. Neither the author nor the publisher shall be liable or responsible for any loss or damage allegedly arising from any information or suggestions in this blog.