No MUCUSINGING

Going in public is becoming difficult for Little Bug again. His auditory sensitivity has greatly increased recently. Yesterday, we went to Goodwill- which he normally loves. Once inside, he immediately covered his ears and began to yell, “No MUCUSINGING!!!” (That’s his word for music. Think MUCUS and SINGING mixed together. Fitting when you think about how offense it is to him.)

We were able to calm and soothe him and get him involved in other things- mainly rummaging through the toy bins while only every so often yelling about the music. Our house is a bit muted recently- no music, not as much sporadic laughter, because when he isn’t in the room, causes him to cry real tears, throw himself down and cover his ear, and the TV at an acceptable level per Little Bug.

While I know some people would say that we coddle him too much, I don’t think so. I certainly don’t think this is behavioral as he does it in public and private and to a variety of noises. Given that, I have a hard time imagining myself telling him that he just has to get over it. To me, that seems like telling someone who has a broken leg to stop being a baby and walk already. While it may not be a common or easily understood difficulty, we have to remember that it is very real for him.

I have even tried home therapy- my idea of it anyway. In this, I have Little Bug pick out music and then we put it in together talking about how fun it will be. I turn on the TV and hit PLAY. He immediately covers his ears and starts crying, “Daddy Blake! Pease, no mucusinging! Pease, Daddy Bake?”

I have tried to let him control the volume- all with the above results. We have tried telling him to say hi to the airplanes, but to no real success. He still runs to the bushes and covers his head and ears when he can’t. A car backfired on Thursday night and he literally climbed up me and then assumed the covering the ears position. Fire trucks, motorcycles, loud cars, yelling, clapping, chopping sounds- like at a restaurant, etc. have all become too much for him to bear.

Before we go out, we now have to discuss the noise levels. A trip to anywhere has to debated with regards music, potential for clapping, etc. We weigh Target versus other stores- other stores lose because they have overhead music. Target at times losses because they have those walkie talkies from hell that blare every three and half seconds (they are offensive to Little Bug and were to me when I had to wear them.)

Going out to eat means we have to decide whether we want to eat super early or late. We have to weigh what day of the week it is and whether it is a holiday as that means more noise. When we forget, like on Super Bowl Sunday and go out to eat, the consequences aren’t pretty. $15.00 meals are left uneaten and boxed to go home while I run outside with Little Bug, who is screaming, crying, and covering his ears.

We took him to Pike Place Market thinking that he would love to see the fish thrown. (If you haven't been there, look it up on youtube, but the premise is that you order your sea food, and the fishermen yell and toss the fish that are in the order.) That was a disaster. Little Bug wouldn't stop screaming, strangers wanted to know if we needed help, and Nick and I ended up frazzled and sniping at each other.

For example, my company picnic is coming up, but due to the three different kinds of sports being played- all with laughing, yelling clapping by the happy crowd, as well as several hundred people and children, an extreme motorcycle show, and several bands we aren’t going.

The wait list for Occupational Therapy is 3 to 6 months. I am also trying to research Therapeutic Listening; to see if that will help him. The rub will be if it is or isn’t covered and how much it costs.