This can be true if your child has ADHD.
But what if you are the one with ADHD?
Yikes!
I can't tell you the times that I've walked into a grocery or department store only to face the dreaded land of distractions.Now, why is it that we need to listen to that background music? Hmmm.
I have had such a hard time focusing that I've gone as far as to carry earplugs.
The music (and other normal noises) can be such that I will literally forget what I am there for. once I left my items in the cart and walked out of the store. I all but shut down because of the stimulus overload.
It can be internally (not obvious to others) embarrassing and frustrating.*
Occasionally, At restaurants I've had to pop in the earplugs just to make it peacefully through dinner.
At movies I seem to be able, not willingly, to hone in on every bag crinkling, popcorn chomping, nose blowing, chit-chat session going on...AND try to make out whats happening in the movie.
I'd love not to have "bionic" ears but it's the lot I was given.
*So..back to that 'frustration' I began to mention.
It's a toughie.
Have you witnessed an outburst from your little ADHDer?
I'd be willing to bet my precious earplugs that when your little one hits a certain level of stimuli overload that's about the time the little tea kettle blows steam.
One of ADHDs leading indicators is 'impulse', thus the outburst.
Remember what I said about wishing we had an on/off switch? (previous ADHD post)
Sensory overload, to us, is 10 fold that of the average Joe. We are already whirring and whizzing about madly in our own heads...introduce the busy busy outside world and you have a potentially explosive cocktail. More often then not, we maintain. But the factors vary by age and experience. This is often the place where we decide if medicating is the appropriate course.
Distractions, for me, become somewhat of an unwelcome in-law. I nearly dread them. Ugh!
(SIC) I love my in-laws.
BTW I am quiet aware of CAPD. ;-)
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