Urgent Dentists Near Me: How Near, How Fast?

Oral health problems are one of the worst experiences you can ever have. This even becomes worse when you have to deal with dental emergencies. Some of the most popular dental emergencies include a chipped tooth, toothache and knocked-out tooth. It is important to visit a dentist immediately to prevent the emergency from causing more damage.

According to research, providers of emergency services often suffer anxiety. This is primarily because they have to handle problems that occur unexpectedly in the best interest of the victim. While late-night emergencies are usually the most dangerous, dentists are responsible for ensuring that the patients get the required treatment. Nevertheless, the good news is that reputable and experienced dentists can offer you the help you need under any circumstance.

Common Dental Emergencies You Should Know

Which dental emergency are you fascinated by the most? There are various dental emergencies that you can suffer, and they include the following:

Severe Pain

Typically, most dental issues that are not necessarily emergencies could cause pain. However, this pain is usually bearable and can be treated using over-the-counter medications. While you should still seek dental care for such issues, they do not require to be attended to as emergencies.

But, if you experience severe oral pain that doesn’t go away even with pain relievers, you should treat this as an emergency. Therefore, get a dental check-up as soon as possible.

Broken or Chipped Teeth

In addition to ruining your perfect smile, broken or chipped teeth can also be painful. Experts advise that you should rinse your mouth with warm water and use a piece of gauze on the affected area. You can also utilize a cold compress to counter swelling and pain that could result from the incident. After getting treated, you must keep off activities and foods that might hurt your teeth. Alternatively, you can use a mouth guard.

Dental Abscess

A dental abscess involves the formation of pus in the mouth resulting from severe infection. On the other hand, dental abscesses can also form beneath a tooth or on the gum’s sides. The common symptoms of abscess include fever, severe pain, swelling, bite changes, pus or having a tooth that feels too long. Also, you can experience a pimple-like swollen area in your mouth. Delaying the treatment of dental abscess can result in the infection spreading and, thus, further complications.

Lost Crown or Dental Filling

Your crown or dental filling can either feel loosely attached or fall off completely. In such an instance, you will need to seek dental care services immediately for a repair or restoration. Failure to fix your filling or crown immediately could result in an infection or tooth decay that might be expensive to treat.

Broken Braces

Even though orthodontic appliances are designed to withstand a lot of pressure, they can still break at some point. When your braces break, especially metal ones, the wires can stick out and cut or poke your tongue or cheeks. Besides hurting your mouth, broken braces will also interfere with your treatment. Therefore, you must seek dental care services immediately. Also, avoid cutting the protruding wire; instead, you should cover it with a gauze or orthodontic wax.

Check out Precision Dental for all your dental emergencies.

Reflexology for Sydney Children with Auditory Processing Disorder

Is reflexology for children with auditory processing disorder – as in a healing modality with efficacy?

Auditory processing disorder (APD) is a condition that makes it difficult for children to process and understand what they hear. The condition can make it hard for children to follow directions, learn new words, and understand complex information. While there is no cure for APD, there are treatments that can help improve a child’s listening skills and ability to communicate. One such treatment is reflexology. Reflexology is a therapy that uses pressure point massage on the hands and feet to relieve stress and tension. It is said to be beneficial for overall health and well-being. In this blog post, we will explore how reflexology can be used to help children with APD and CAPD.

What is Reflexology?

Reflexology is a form of alternative medicine that involves applying pressure to specific areas on the hands, feet, and ears. It is based on the idea that these areas are connected to different organs and systems in the body, and that stimulating them can help to improve overall health.

There is some evidence to suggest that reflexology may be helpful for children with auditory processing disorder (APD). One small study found that it improved symptoms in a group of children with APD, compared to those who did not receive reflexology.

Reflexology is generally considered safe, although it is important to choose a qualified practitioner. If you are considering trying reflexology for your child with APD, speak to your doctor or healthcare provider first.

What is Auditory Processing Disorder?

Auditory processing disorder (APD) is a condition that affects how the brain processes auditory information. It can make it difficult for children to understand and remember what they hear, especially in noisy environments.

APD is often diagnosed in school-aged children, but it can affect people of all ages. It’s important to note that APD is not a hearing problem, and people with APD can hear just fine. The disorder occurs because of how the brain interprets sound, not because of any problems with the ears themselves.

There is no cure for APD, but there are treatments that can help people manage the condition. One such treatment is reflexology. Reflexology is a healing practice that involves applying pressure to specific points on the body. This pressure can help to reduce stress and promote relaxation, even for babies.

Reflexology has been shown to be an effective treatment for a variety of conditions, including anxiety, headaches, and insomnia. There is also some evidence to suggest that reflexology may be helpful for people with APD. A small study published in 2016 found that reflexology may help improve auditory processing in children with APD.

While more research is needed to confirm these findings, reflexology may be worth considering as a complementary treatment for children with APD. If you’re interested in trying reflexology, be sure to find a qualified practitioner who has experience working with children with special needs.

How can Reflexology help Children with Auditory Processing Disorder?

Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) is a neurological condition that affects a person’s ability to process auditory information. This can make it difficult for children with APD to understand what they hear, especially in noisy environments.

Reflexology is a type of massage that targets pressure points in the hands and feet. It is said to be beneficial for overall health and well-being. Some research suggests that reflexology may also be helpful for children with APD.

A small study published in 2016 found that reflexology may help improve auditory processing in children with APD. In the study, 22 children with APD were given either reflexology or no treatment at all. The children who received reflexology showed significant improvements in their auditory processing skills, compared to those who did not receive any treatment.

There is still more research needed to confirm the benefits of reflexology for children with APD. However, if you are considering reflexology for your child with APD, it is important to find a qualified practitioner who has experience working with children.

In another study which included a total of 277 infants and children, the only method used was foot reflexology. Regarding the results of nine investigated outcomes, reflexology was found to be effective in infancy for reducing pain level and regulating heart rate, for increasing oxygen saturation, for relieving infantile colic symptoms, and neonatal abstinence symptoms. Reflexology was also found to decrease spasticity and improve motor skills in children with cerebral palsy, but it failed to produce positive change in regard to constipation and quality of life. Four of the studies were performed in a nursing context, one in midwifery, and one in physiotherapy.

What are the Benefits of Reflexology in General?

There are many benefits of reflexology in general, but here we will focus on the benefits specifically for children with auditory processing disorder.

Reflexology is a holistic therapy that can help to improve overall health and well-being. It is based on the principle that there are reflex points on the feet and hands that correspond to different organs and systems in the body. By stimulating these reflex points, it is possible to promote healing and balance within the body.

Reflexology is a non-invasive therapy that is safe for all ages. It can be used as a complementary therapy alongside other treatments such as speech and occupational therapies.

Reflexology has been shown to be beneficial for children with auditory processing disorder in several ways. It can help to improve communication, reduce stress and anxiety, improve concentration and focus, and promote relaxation. Reflexology can also help to improve sleep quality and reduce fatigue.

How to Find a Qualified Reflexologist in Sydney

If you’re looking for a qualified reflexologist in Sydney to help your child with auditory processing disorder, there are a few things you can do. First, ask your child’s doctor for recommendations. Then, check with the Australian Traditional-Medicine Society (ATMS) or the Reflexology Association of Australia (RAA) to find a list of qualified practitioners in your area. Finally, call around to different practitioners and ask about their qualifications, experience, and fees. Once you’ve found a practitioner you’re comfortable with, make an appointment for your child to receive treatment.

If you’re in Sydney’s inner west, then Doris Litzski a Strathfield reflexologist is very approachable and experienced with helping children as well as adults improve their minds, bodies and souls with reflexology. Call her on (02) 9747 2255.

What Media & Magazines like WellBeing Say About Reflexologists

There is a growing body of evidence that suggests reflexology can be an effective treatment for children with auditory processing disorder. Numerous media outlets and magazines, including WellBeing Magazine, have featured stories about the positive effects of reflexology on children with this condition.

One mother, whose son was diagnosed with auditory processing disorder, found that reflexology helped him to better process information and make sense of the world around him. After just a few sessions, she noticed a marked improvement in his ability to communicate and interact with others.

Other parents have also reported seeing positive changes in their children after starting reflexology treatments. One father said that his daughter’s speech improved dramatically after just a few sessions, and she no longer had trouble understanding what people were saying to her.

If you are considering reflexology as a treatment option for your child with auditory processing disorder, be sure to speak with a qualified practitioner who has experience working with this population.

Special Care Dentistry for High Needs Children & Adults: what is it?

For children and adults with special healthcare needs, finding a dentist can be a difficult task. Many dentists are not trained to care for children with special needs, and as a result, these children often go without dental care. However, there are a growing number of dentists who specialize in caring for children with special needs, and this article will introduce you to some of them!

What is special care dentistry?

Special care dentistry is a branch of dentistry that focuses on providing dental care to children and adults with special needs. This can include children with physical, mental, or developmental disabilities, as well as those who are medically fragile. Special care dentists have the training and experience necessary to provide dental care to these children in a way that is safe and effective. They also understand the unique challenges that come with caring for children with special needs, and are able to provide the compassion and support that these families need.

Autism and Mental Illness as Dental Dilemmas

When it comes to dental care, children with autism and mental illness can pose unique challenges. Because these conditions can make it difficult for children to cooperate with dental procedures, special care dentistry is often necessary.

Some children with autism may have sensory issues that make it hard for them to tolerate the sights, sounds, and smells of the dentist office. Others may have difficulty communicating their needs or understanding instructions. As a result, they may resist or become agitated during dental appointments.

Mental illness can also complicate dental care. Some children with mental illness may be uncooperative or unresponsive during dental appointments. Others may have specific fears or phobias that make it difficult to receive dental care.

Special care dentistry is a branch of dentistry that focuses on providing care for children and adults with special needs. Special care dentists are trained to deal with the unique challenges posed by conditions like autism and mental illness. They can provide sedation or other forms of assistance to help make dental appointments more tolerable for children with these conditions.

If your child has autism or mental illness, you may want to consider finding a special care dentist in your area. Special care dentists can provide the specialized care your child needs. As every parent cares more about their children’s dentistry than their own, that they want to provide their children the best care they can offer. This dental service is the perfect service for every children that has special needs.

What services are available?

There are a number of specialized dental care services available for high needs children. These include sedation dentistry, which can help to make the child more comfortable during dental procedures; and behavior management services, which can help to teach the child how to cooperate during dental visits. Additionally, there are a number of new technologies that can make dental care more comfortable and effective for high needs children, such as laser dentistry and digital x-rays.

Who can benefit from special care dentistry?

There are many children who can benefit from special care dentistry, but some of the most common beneficiaries are those with high needs. This can include children with chronic illnesses, developmental disabilities, and physical disabilities. Special care dentistry can help these children maintain good oral health and avoid potential dental problems in the future.

Marketing Dental Clinics

As a parent of a high needs child, you know that finding the right dental care can be a challenge. You want to find a dental clinic that is experienced in treating children with special needs, and that can provide the level of care your child needs.

The good news is that there are many dental clinics out there that specialize in treating children with special needs. These clinics have the experience and expertise to provide the care your child needs.

To find a dental clinic that specializes in treating children with special needs, you can start by asking your child’s doctor for recommendations. You can also search online for “dental clinics for children with special needs” or “special needs dentistry.”

Once you have a list of potential clinics, you can narrow down your choices by considering factors such as location, cost, and insurance coverage. You should also read reviews of the clinics to get an idea of what other parents think of them.

When you have narrowed down your choices, you can contact the clinics to schedule an appointment for your child. During the appointment, be sure to ask questions about the clinic’s experience in treating children with special needs and about their treatment plans.

Social Media for Dentists

As a dentist, you know that social media is a great way to connect with potential and current patients. But what are the best ways to use social media for your dental practice?

Here are some ideas:

1. Use social media to share educational content. Patients will appreciate your effort to educate them about dental care and it will help build trust.

2. Share news and updates about your practice on social media. This is a great way to keep patients in the loop about what’s going on at your practice.

3. Use social media to offer special deals and promotions. Patients love getting a deal, so this is a great way to attract new patients and keep existing ones coming back.

4. Use social media to show off your personality. Let patients get to know you as a person, not just a dentist. This will help them feel more comfortable coming to your practice.

5. Get involved in discussions about dental care on social media. Share your expert opinion on various topics related to dentistry, such as oral health care tips or the latest dental technology.

By following these tips, you can use social media to build a strong relationship with your patients and grow.

Why is social media so important to teenagers?

Social media is a platform for young people to express their true personalities and cares. As today’s kids need social media to express themselves it gives them freedom and power. Plus, it’s a holistic way of showing the world who you are.

Social media is not just a way to stay in touch with friends, it’s a way for young people to enjoy being together. For example, they use social media to share jokes, tell stories and watch their favorite TV shows together when they are in different places around the world.

People feel validated by their social media follower count and group memberships, especially teenagers.

Conclusion

If you have a high needs child, it’s important to find a dentist who is experienced in special care dentistry. This type of dentist will be able to provide the necessary care and treatment for your child, ensuring that their teeth and gums remain healthy. With the right dental care, your high needs child can enjoy a healthy smile for years to come.

Children’s Oral Hygiene: Is Brushing, Flossing & Fluoride Enough?

Cavities, also regarded as tooth decay or caries, are among the common chronic disease of childhood in the US. Untreated tooth decay may result in infections and pain, leading to other problems with learning, eating, playing, and speaking.

Children with poor oral health usually receive lower grades and miss more classes in school than kids who don’t. However, the good news is that tooth decay is preventable through flossing, brushing, and fluoride.

Flossing and Brushing

Dental hygiene must start when your kid is still a baby. Begin using a soft child-size toothbrush for kids at around one or two years old and brush their teeth with enough water twice or thrice a day.

You may add a small amount of toothbrush, which doesn’t have fluoride in it. Such type of toothpaste is safe for kids to swallow. Though when your kids are older enough to spit the paste out, you might switch to a toothpaste with fluoride.

In this stage, teach your kids to spread toothbrush among their gums, tongue, and teeth. This helps to reduce the amount of microbial life or bacteria in the mouth. If you are unsure, have your dentist or doctor show you the proper way of brushing your kids’ teeth.

Flossing is another important part of children’s dentistry and orthodontics. Teach your kids to floss at least once or twice a day. You may also get a floss, which comes with a handle to make it simple.

Fluoride

Kids start to require supplemental fluoride when they reach six months. If your kids are taking tap water, either mixed with baby formula, 100% fruit juice, or alone, it means they get enough amount of fluoride.

Fluoride is very safe for kids. It is basically a natural element, which strengthens and protects the teeth against cavities formation. Using it early helps to offer additional protection for growing teeth.

However, if your kids take unfluoridated bottled water or well water, you might want to speak to a dentist regarding fluoride supplements in the form of:

Lozenges
Chewing gums
Drops
tablets

Fluoride Varnish

Healthy teeth and gums are vital for the general health of your kids. This is the reason your kid’s doctor may speak with you about healthy dental habits, even before the first teeth of your children start to appear.

Immediately after your kids have the first tooth, your doctor will recommend that you take your children to get fluoride varnish treatments to prevent cavities. This should happen two or four times a year, and the number of treatments might depend on how likely your kids might get tooth decay.

Most pediatricians are trained to provide the care and after-care that Invisalign requires and have the professionalism to apply fluoride varnish since most young kids don’t have access to or see dentists until they get older.

So what is fluoride vanish? Is it safe?

Fluoride varnish refers to a dental treatment consisting of fluoride, a mineral that strengthens tooth enamel. However, it may not prevent cavities completely.

Fluoride varnish is safe, and doctors and dentists can help avoid tooth decay in kids.

Final Remarks!

As soon as the first tooth begins to emerge, it means it’s high time you start the ongoing education that can help to keep their teeth strong and healthy. It will never be too late to teach kids about the need for good oral hygiene to prevent dental problems.

Although dental problems, such as gum disease and cavities, are preventable, the key goal is to stick with healthy dental care habits.

Child Safety: Electrical Equipment & Wiring Dangers

Being a parent is often to live in a permanent state of stress and anxiety.

In an instant your child’s safety can be thrown completely to the four winds, as they take an unexpected fall, change walking or running direction to place them at risk of cars, cyclists or bigger children, or do any variety of dangerous actions which most of us know never to do.

In life-threatening situations, a warning and some guidance might save the day. More importantly, when your kid is at risk of suffering harm, it is best to give them immediate advice on electrical wiring dangers.

You cannot possibly cover every situation in the home simply with security camera installation and that’s not what security cameras are designed for. They’re to protect your home from intruders, not to sit in your study watching your children on CCTV.

There comes a time when your child can move from one point to another by themselves. In these stages, you can’t help but be extra cautious with the things you leave lying on the floor or within their reach. The same devotion you have to keep them from chocking, burning, or falling is the same you should have when it comes to electrical wiring.

What are some of the most effective ways to teach kids on the dangers of electrical wiring?

What you teach your child depends on their ability to understand. The following are pointers to help you teach your kids the dangers of electricity.

Take advantage of family meetings

My memory is still fresh on how practical these sessions were in my childhood. Each time I needed some scolding, my mum would wait for family sessions to strike a point she had withheld the whole week. After this, I would reconsider my evil ways and reform for the better. These sessions will come in handy while teaching your kids the dangers of electricity.

Teach them how to ensure safety from electricity

Enlighten them on the nature of electric wires and why they have a specific make. You could explain why the insulator is essential and why they should never touch naked electric cables.

Talk to your kids on how electricity works

Here you can show them some good conductors of electricity. Explain to them the importance of switching the lights on and off with dry hands. Tell them the dangers of inserting metallic objects inside electric sockets. You could even ask your electrician on how to be safer. And even it’s important to teach kids how to enjoy electricity – the marvel of it.

Tell them electricity can start a fire

At this point, you will warn them against overloading circuits. Always monitor them to ensure they do not plug in many devices to avoid the risk of short courses that spark fires hence causing damage to properties.

Make use of educational books

When you read bedtime stories from your kid’s favourite storybook, they might start narrating the same after a week or two. Children’s books suit their understanding; hence with such, you can teach your child the safety rules when dealing with electricity.

Keep in mind all these precautions are the same as teaching your kids to be safe on social media. It is going to need a lot of patience and love.

To wrap it up

Of all of modern life’s travails, anxiety about one’s role as a parent is truly turning into a social and personal dilemma. It’s pretty much impossible to protect one’s child from every single danger, no matter how hard some parents try to cover their kids in cotton wool. Still, we do what we can.

Most times, our children make us better people. The least we can do is offer them guidance in every possible way. Electricity has become so familiar that people hardly find the need to practice caution. Always remember children watch and learn; hence your child will most definitely do what they see you doing. Lead by example.

Dental Mercury: Still Lurking in the Shadows of the Industry

Losing your memory or not being able to function as you used to before is something that many people fear. While there are many causes associated with the common old age Alzheimer’s disease, the big question is, does dental mercury used in dental procedures cause it too?

Well, there are emergency times when you will need a dentist, and truth be told, most of us simply go in without doing any research. Dental mercury is something that has been used in dental procedures for quite a long time now, but it has become a controversial topic lately.

Many people have had dental procedures done to them, especially dental fillings, to help one deal with dental cavities and avoid tooth decay. One of the most common materials used in the procedure is the silver fillings, otherwise known as amalgam fillings. However, it is important to note that in as much as they are known as silver fillings, they are not made out of silver only. In fact, silver constitutes about 32% of the end product only. These fillings contain a large amount of mercury, about 50%, which is said to be toxic to human health. With that said, let us dig deeper into it.

Are Mercury Fillings Poisonous?

As it is, high amounts of mercury are very toxic in our bodies. However, small amounts of mercury exposure have been found to have no adverse effects as such. Studies are still ongoing, especially when it comes to the effects of using dental mercury in dental procedures. However, previous studies have shown that there are chances that mercury fillings can be associated with memory loss in old age, especially with people above 65 years of age. It is, therefore, a point of concern if the use of dental mercury is actually safe or not. But why use mercury anyway? Well, mercury is used in silver fillings as it helps it become flexible, hardens faster, and withstands the pressure of chewing over the years. Also, compared to other types of fillings, it is very budget-friendly.

When you get a silver filling as part of your treatment, it means that with time some of the mercury components are released into your body in the form of mercury vapour. When you chew food, for instance, it is approximated that about 2-20 micrograms of mercury are released into your system. Additionally, Chewing gum is estimated to release a higher amount of mercury vapour into the body. However, according to the FDA, their research shows that dental mercury used in amalgam fillings is actually safe for adults as well as children aged six years and above.

Nowadays however there are many progressive dentists in Australia such as Sure Dental in Queensland who eschew using mercury and who deliver much more holistic dental treatments. So you can consciously avoid mercury completely.

Bottom Line

The dental industry has advanced exponentially, all thanks not just to technology but to higher ethics gradually infiltrating the industry. Given the possibility that there are chances that dental mercury may, in the long run, cause Alzheimer’s disease, you have the option of exploring other alternative options. Talk to your trusted dentist and discuss the best option that would be suitable for your treatment.

Ensuring your baby has optimum bone health

The process of giving birth may seem and appear simple but there are quite a number of risks that come along with it. The whole process usually has a lot of strains and stresses not only to the mother but to the baby as well. That is why osteopaths for children and babies are required to help the infants go through this period with as much ease and comfort as possible. The most effective form of osteopathic treatment for babies and children is known as cranial osteopathic treatment and it helps relieve the symptoms of a wide range of conditions and will leave the toddler feeling relaxed, soothed and happy.

Signs of osteopathic problems

The stresses and strains experienced during labour may lead to unsettled behavior in the baby who may present difficulties in winding, bowel movements, feeding and sleep. If they are not taken care of at the early stages of life, the baby could suffer a variety of symptoms as they grow. An osteopathic check-up should be conducted immediately after birth in order to determine whether there are any potential problems that the baby may experience. Some of the bodily systems that may experience difficulties due to osteopathic problems include breathing and digestion.

How osteopathy is done

After birth, there is a lot of physical and mental development that a baby goes through. During the first few years is when the baby learns how to crawl, walk, run, communicate, and is usually keen to explore the surrounding environment and interact socially. When a baby does not pass through some of these milestones, it may be a sign of osteopathic problems and an osteopath is needed to examine and evaluate the child. Osteopathy is mainly concerned with the arrangement of body parts and their movements and therefore an osteopath’s duty is to locate the source of the problem. Once the problem is identified, the osteopath uses his/her hands to correct the malfunction. This is very imperative as movement disorders have profound effects on the functioning of all body systems.

Importance of osteopathy

Cranial osteopathy for babies and children is extremely useful particularly for correcting the aches and pains that newborns and young children experience but are not able to express. Cranial osteopathy works in a very unique way. Osteopaths have a very developed sense of touch and are able to feel subtle changes of tension and tissue quality. Using cranial osteopathic techniques, an osteopath is able to release tension and restore the body’s natural rhythm and balance.

How safe is osteopathy?

The major concern especially for new parents is whether osteopathy is a safe procedure for their babies. When performed by a well-trained and highly qualified pediatric osteopath, it is very safe and will definitely soothe and relax the baby, relieving overall discomfort and symptoms so that your baby’s natural healing mechanisms are restored. One of the main indicators that the osteopathy is working well for your child is sleeping really well. After treatment, all the tension and stresses that the baby had experienced before become a thing of the past and is now able to have a wonderful and peaceful time, either when playing or even sleeping.

It Might Be An Auditory Issue

Sometimes it can be frustrating being a parent. Or an educator. Or both. More so when we see potential of a child. Then realise we could be wrong expecting that potential. When they are attentive then loses interest. Have you considered? It might be an auditory issue.

Auditory Processing Disorder or APD can cause obstacles of passing the concise message from ear to the brain. APD is different from hearing loss. The sufferer can hear but is having complications with understanding. Hearing things like “It’s over there.” instead of “It’s on the chair.”. To others it could be a simple misheard thing but, again, it might be an auditory issue.

APD is sometimes referred to as Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD) it is a disorder that impedes the processing of auditory information. This means that the ears and brains are not fully coordinated. The child can hear you but there is a delay before it reaches the brain. What you said does not immediately sink in. And at times words are misconstrued for another word that sounds the same. This can happen when people talk all at the same time or in locations with very bad background noises.

APD is not a learning disorder. It is an auditory issue where the brain does not hear sounds in the typical way. Most cases are diagnosed at school age where children are expected to pay attention and listen. Most auditory system does not fully develop until they’re 15 years old, so any child diagnosed with APD have to be submitted to testing again at this age.

How to determine if your child has APD?

It might be an auditory issue if there’s difficulty hearing clearly in noisy environment.
It might be an auditory issue if there is an issue with short-term memory.
It might be an auditory issue if they are unable to distinguish between similar sounds
It might be an auditory issue if they have an inability to remember lists and sequences.
It might be an auditory issue if they need to have words or sentences repeated often.
It might be an auditory issue if they have a hard time following conversations.
It might be an auditory issue if they would rather you write what you’re saying.

Getting one or two of these a check is not cause for alarm. Getting a few or all of them a yes might mean it is time to have your child see an audiologist to be certain.

Most Common Learning Disabilities

A school age child will face many firsts. Most first time parents are so full of hope and anxiety even on this stage of a child’s life. So many plans and so many fears that they will mess up. Most of the time this is unfounded. You would never convince them otherwise, though, until they have their bundle of joy tested. They have this yardstick that could sometimes be impossible to measure up to. And if the child does not, they immediately assume the worst. It sometimes helps to know and be aware of the most common learning disabilities first hand.

A learning disability is a condition that hinders processing skills like basic ones that could include reading, writing and/or math. Most are identified during the school years when schools are active at evaluating students and can catch signs and symptoms early. But some would fall through the cracks and never realise that their difficulties with academics could be because of a learning disability. This condition is not limited to the classroom, though, and could affect jobs and even relationships.

Auditory and Visual Processing Disorder – is a condition that delays or disrupts the processing of sensory information. Its symptoms include inability to distinguish similar sounds, understanding oral instructions poorly and have some trouble with concentrating and focusing.

Dyslexia – This is a disability affecting reading and related decoding letters and sounds. It affects the brain that process language. Some researches are focused on hereditary factors as it is recently determined that a distinct genes could be contributing to dyslexia.

Dysgraphia – this disability affects writing, handwriting ability and fine motor skills. It is a lifelong limitation but manageable with therapy and practice. Some cases of dysgraphia occur in adults after a trauma

Attention difficulties – a lack of focus and impulse control with sometimes hyperactivity involved. Some argue it is merely impeding learning not a difficulty. Experts are linking it with a genetic component. ADHD benefits from medication and behavioural therapies.

Dyscalculia – This is an explicit disability in numbers . With very high level of anxiety in dealing with anything involving math. Difficulty in counting backwards and understanding place values.

These disabilities can manifest with different states of progression, some individuals having more than one difficulty. But it can be managed with the right information, therapy, support and intervention. More and more studies are coming out to help with people who suffer from these conditions. And maybe one day there would be better solutions so that earlier detection and help be given these children and adults with these afflictions.

Coping and Living with Auditory Processing Disorder

Mothers with toddlers always can be heard saying “Pay attention.”. At this stage, their listening skills are developing. It is how they learn, by hearing and interpreting and retaining information. And then learn to respond. A child not attuned to listening might have difficulty comprehending. This could leave a huge impact on his learning. And being unable to catch up with other kids of the same age, this could leave a detrimental effect on his confidence. It is hard coping and living with Auditory Processing Disorder or APD.

Auditory Processing Disorder is slowly getting noticed and being given attention. But it is rare enough still that no definitive cure has been found for it. Still, it is a long way from observing inattentiveness of children to being diagnosed with Central Auditory Processing Disorder. It is highly likely some with APD, cases of low academic performance and others have been misdiagnosed as a similar but all too different learning disorder.

It is not loss or difficulty of hearing. It is difficulty in connecting, a lack of coordination of ears and brain. Absorbing information takes longer than usual and since children are not known for patience, expect outbursts and some show of frustration.

They are listening but process it differently. Imagine the world constantly with a whirring noise, spoken words are muffled and additional distracting sounds that you would need to rely on clues to determine what was said. Knock on wood can be processed as knocked on food as it is very hard to distinguish between words that sound alike. Jokes and metaphors,parties gatherings even listening to pop music because of the lyrics can be difficult for a person with APD.

Training, therapy and adequate listening and learning environment is a start. With how technology evolves, it may not be too long before an innovation is developed to improve ear and brain coordination of APD sufferers.

These individuals would often be introverts fearing they would be made fun of. Interactions and social situations are challenging in itself but with APD it can be doubly hard. Left undiagnosed it can make a child question his intelligence and refuse social activities.

Importance of Auditory Screening

A disruptive boy in class who frequently gets into fights, the quiet little girl who doesn’t seem to be paying attention and the almost four year old child mumbling incoherently; these three children may share a common affliction. They may have problems with hearing.

Children with a hearing impairment have a lot of disadvantages to face. Frustration is felt by both the child and the people around him which could cause them to act out. Because of this impaired ability, communication may become limited and experience low confidence and self-esteem. Children will have a harder time learning to speak and form the sounds properly. If left untreated may severely affect a child’s development. Poor academic performance, language skills and social engagement among others.

This emphasizes the importance of auditory screening. Most countries have infant screening in place to detect deafness and other would be problems for the newborn. This is critical because hearing helps with the child’s ability to speak, communicate and develop early social skills.

But some hearing loss are acquired after the initial screening. This can be caused by exposure to loud noises, infections (mumps, measles, meningitis or whooping cough) or from progressive diseases like Meniere’s disease and otosclerosis, even medication and head injuries.

Some of these can be prevented by strengthening the child’s immune system. An improved maternal and neonatal health care and programs to prevent congenital infection. Immunization programs for both mother and child to combat meningitis, mumps and measles, rubella and pertussis.

Thankfully with the new technologies available, children with complex hearing problems can have a fighting chance with individualised treatment for their unique needs. Depending on the disorder identified and recommendation from their audiologist, they may be given trainings, therapies, programs or assistive devices designed for their specific needs for them to become faster learners, readers, hear better and improve their quality of life.

The National Disability Insurance Scheme

A lot has been said and reported about the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), about its progress and current failings. The media has run hot with stories focussing on the creation of an NDID fraud taskforce, and the furore about funding decisions affecting families and individuals. The autism community was recently shocked to learn of government plans to limit the number of autistic children with access to the NDIS. Cost cutting is uppermost in the mind of this government when it comes to managing the programs associated with this scheme. What was originally designed as a life changer for hundreds of thousands of Australians living with disability is fast becoming something far less promising. This sounds eerily similar to what the coalition did to the National Broadband Network.

Government Rapidly Restructuring the NDIS to Reduce Spending

The NDIS fraud taskforce has been established to crack down on fraud, seemingly, before it even happens. This sounds like some futuristic movie script with Tom Cruise in it. Organised crime will attempt to feast on the estimated $22 billion budget of the scheme, according to social services minister, Dan Tehan. The fact is that a lot of the therapies for conditions like autism are newly developed and unknown to many in the wider community. I sense a pervasive suspicion about what is regarded as therapeutic and that there will be ongoing problems on this basis. You have a government hell bent on cutting costs and they will do whatever they can to limit the scope of the NDIS’s purse strings.

Poor Service & Suspicious attitudes Poisoning Scheme

The ABC has reported on NDIS reviews leaving disabled people waiting for up to nine months to get problems sorted out. Poor service and suspicious attitudes are poisoning a scheme, which should be the greatest thing this country has ever done for this section of the community. The fact that the NDIS was not a coalition government initiative lurks in the background, as possible motivation for their failure to implement the scheme well. One only hopes that a change of heart or a change of government occurs in time to save this worthy national program.

How Does the Brain Interpret Sound?

Those of us who have normal hearing would hardly ever think about how we process sound, but like most things about our bodies, it is a fascinating line of inquiry. It is often the case that we don’t bother about things until they malfunction in our lives or the life of a loved one. A recent study into how our brains process sound shows similarities with how our vision works. Rhythmic oscillating patterns pick up vision and sounds and then interpret them via a strobe-like effect in the brain. It has been compared to the flickering frames of an old silent movie, in one learned journal article I read recently. No wonder then that our perception of reality is so open to a wide variety of interpretations by individuals. How does the brain interpret sound?

Auditory Perception is Not Constant, But Cyclical

The researchers in this study pointed to the positive outcome of this strange process being that it helps us focus on the most salient sounds in our environment. It may be like a radar effect picking up the important sounds around us. It, also, assists us in placing the sounds in three-dimensional space. Auditory perception is not constant at one level, but experiences peaks and troughs. We have a cyclical perception of the world around us. These cycles happen fast, though, at about six cycles per second. The researchers were from the University of Sydney.

Sounds Oscillate Between Ears

Sound oscillates between each ear, swapping over every tenth of a second. This sounds like an evolutionary development in human beings, which has allowed us to immediately recognise danger from both sides by continually checking each space. It seems, our eyes and our ears, trick our perception into thinking we have a continuous consciousness, when it is not seamless at all, in reality. The findings showed that auditory decision making, also, oscillates. Building strong foundations within our knowledge of how our brains function will ultimately serve us well.

The Brain Responds to Music

The ramifications of these ground-breaking findings have not been explored, as yet, but may result in some interesting outcomes down the track. As human beings we concentrate limited cognitive resources on specific sounds and sights to evaluate the world around us. The strobe light metaphor is a vivid illustration of our brain’s interpretation of the sounds around our body. It means we are attuned to shifting focus wherever it is needed most. The brain’s plasticity is literally amazing, as it responds to things like music, language, and the sounds around our immediate universe. Sound processing is clearly an important neurological marker in the life of human beings.

Sounds Inside Our Sensory Universe

Have you ever thought about how important sound is to your life? Have you ever imagined being deaf? Sounds energise our sensory universe. They fill our lives with music. Sounds warn us about dangers. Spoken language is our primary form of communication. We share sounds with each other, as do all the other animals on this planet. Sounds inside our sensory universe play an enormous role in our lives. What if the sounds we heard were miscued and distorted in some way? How would we cope in that situation? Would we feel out of kilter and disturbed because of this sensory distortion?

The Human Condition

There is a golden rule in the life of humans, we only pay attention to something when it has gone, and we miss it from our lives. Think about it. Love, we, often, neglect those we love and only wake up to that fact, when they walk out the door. Wealth, we, often, complain about not having enough, and only realise how wealthy we were, when we lose the lot. Life, we take it for granted, and then along comes a potentially terminal illness, and we cling to what we have and treat it far more preciously. What about those who never had it to miss it?

Auditory Processing Disorder in Children

Auditory Processing Disorder in children poses that very conundrum. The incoming sounds for these children are not the same as those sounds for you and me. The settings inside these kids are different and they experience noises as too loud or undefined. Sounds that are coming from far seem near and the reverse can be the case too. As human beings we order our spatial universe via our geolocation sensing of sounds, if these are out of kilter, imagine the ensuing chaos and the panic.

Our Kids Were Suffering

For many years this condition went unrecognised by medical science and was ascribed to a variety of other illnesses and ailments. Things like autism, and later ADHD, were popular medical culprits. It is only in the last couple of decades that Auditory Processing Disorder has received the due recognition it required to move forward to find treatments for this condition. Our kids were suffering, and doctors did not know what was going on and why. Parents were very worried and frustrated at the lack of medical and scientific expertise available. Thankfully things are now heading in the right direction.

Parenting My Child Who Has ADP

Auditory processing disorder (APD) affects at least five percent of school-aged children around the world. This condition makes it difficult for them to identify the variations of sounds in words. Moreover, APD interferes with how the children process what other people are saying.

Parenting My Child Who Has ADP

The first time that I thought that there’s something wrong with my 7 year old boy was when I asked him to do a chore. A minute passes before he responded to my request and started on the task. I wondered whether he is having some kind of hearing problem, or was just preoccupied with what he was doing. This got me a bit concerned as I was a first-time mom. Days later, we went to a specialist.

I had my boy scheduled for a hearing test. But to my surprise, he passed with flying colors. Then the doctor suggested that I consult a different specialist as he suspects that my child has some kind of learning disability. And he was right. My kid was diagnosed with APD.

In all honesty, it is quite challenging to parent a child with ADP. I have to be extra patient, especially when instructing him to do things. More often than not, it takes time before my child processes and understands what I was saying. I always tell him that it’s okay; that his brain is wired differently. And that makes him special. As much as I want to protect him from this prejudiced society, he is growing up. He has to go to school and explore the world on his own.

Schooling and Socializing

I don’t know any learning centers that cater children with APD, so I had to enroll him at the local school. I’m quite thankful that his teachers are supportive of him. They always make sure that he is seated at the front. This way, he gets to focus with the lesson. Also, it helps him improve his lip reading skill, which I learned to be helpful for children with APD.

Children likes to tease, and my child was no different. His classmates make fun of him whenever he says something wrong, or interchanges words during conversations. Socializing is also challenging for my kid. He can’t keep up with all the fast-talking during group conversations.

Constant auditory training is helping him manage his APD. We also regularly perform exercises to improve his language-building skills. This being said, the best course of action in managing APD is through the cooperation of other people. The school is doing the best they can in helping my child deal with his disability.