My grandson George has recently been diagnosed with CP but we are still waiting for his first appointment, so I am not sure which form he has. However, we have noticed that he seems to have a sensitivity to some types of noise - he has a little cousin who is only a year old, Bethany happens to have quite a high pitched voice, and when she cries or gets stroppy George seems to become quite distressed. We are not sure if it is related to the CP or whether he is feeling a bit jealous as he was the only grandchild for a bit. George is just over two years old and was born 9 weeks prem. after difficult pregnancy. Has anyone any experience of this ?

What do you mean by "distressed"? He does not like the high-pitched noise? I don't know if that would have anything to do with CP, but it could...

Most people with CP retain a startle reflex, with is "jumping" at any sudden noises (whether they are loud or not). Maybe that is what you are referring to? Even if it's not, that's something to look for/be aware of for the future. :)

my first thought was the startle reflex. I don't like high pitched or loud noises either and I'm almost 21:)

My husband, 32, also has the startle reflex. I thought until i found this board that it was unique to him (but i also realized that it had to do with his muscles) all the other people I'v known didn't seem to have this particular problem.
I'm glad to know he's not the only one.
I've cleaned up a lot of spilt drinks and wiped soda off the walls a few times because of this. :) :D :)
in his case, I have learned to warn him (even thoug sometimes he still jumps) when i am going to 1)throw a can in the garbage, 2) turn on the windshield wipers in the car (it beats cleaning soda off the car seat, door, and floor), and 3) to warn him when I think there may be a sudden loud noise (like on tv and in a movie theater -and yes,we've lost a full drink or two to those sudden noises at the theater!
I hope you realize that in what i just said, yes, i was trying to be a little funny, but in no way was i trying to poke fun at my husband or anyone else.
And yes, all of the situations i mentioned have happened on at least one if not more occasions.

Our 4yo with cp has a sensitivity to noise which is different than a startle reflex. We have no idea if it is a cp issue or not. Probably not, but it is outside the mainstream.

When he was a baby we had to get rid of some toys because they just made him burst into tears. They weren't high-pitched or anything, just your run of the mill nighttime song-playing soft toys. Some he loved, some made him cry.

To this day he covers his ears and gets a sad look on his face when we are at a hockey game and the crowd cheers loudly or when a firetruck goes by--and not just initially out of surprise. He covers his ears until the noise is completely gone.

My wife says this is my fault because I have issues with noise (I have gotten up and left meals because I simply cannot stand the sound of a fork scraping on a plate). But blaming stuff on me is kind of a hobby of hers so I think she is biased.

Loud noises actually hurt my ears and I do have really good hearing, better than the average person. It might be an effect of the brain damage.

I hope you realize that in what i just said, yes, i was trying to be a little funny, but in no way was i trying to poke fun at my husband or anyone else.
And yes, all of the situations i mentioned have happened on at least one if not more occasions.

Don't worry, no offense taken, Becky, at least none by me. ;) I've got several friends with CP and going to the movies with us, is a sight to say the least. You forgot tp mention the projectile popcorn. When it's just my friends and me we have a real sense of humor about it... it's just people who intentionally startle people are rude!

Our 4yo with cp has a sensitivity to noise which is different than a startle reflex. We have no idea if it is a cp issue or not. Probably not, but it is outside the mainstream.

[snip]

My wife says this is my fault because I have issues with noise (I have gotten up and left meals because I simply cannot stand the sound of a fork scraping on a plate). But blaming stuff on me is kind of a hobby of hers so I think she is biased.


I DO not like carpet, grass, velvet, velour or cordaroy (sp?.) If you brush the celing of the car and it makes a certain noise I will go absolutely MAD. The same goes for my door mat, it makes this GOD AWFUL noise!! I get the fork on the plate thing, too.

My sister HATES touching terry cloth and literally gags when people snap their fingers. Her nearly six year old son plugs his ears and shuts his eyes when you crinkle plastic, esp. when opening a snack food bag. If a bag of potato chips were the last food on Earth and he was the only person left to open them he'd starve before he did it his self. My brother-in-law hates the sound of styrofoam when it rubs. We all are very sensitive to smells as well.

This is commonly seen in people with neurological issues including, CP, Autisim and ADD/ADHD (which runs in both my family and my BIL's). It also has a name... SENSORY INTERGRATION DYSFUNCTION.

This is the only thing I know that can sometimes occur with CP concerning Noises other than the startle reflex.

in his case, I have learned to warn him (even thoug sometimes he still jumps)
yeah, i still jump, too, warning or not.

[You forgot to mention the projectile popcorn.]

Oh yeah, i forgot about that one!! I told my husband about the 'projectile popcorn', and we both laughed. He then said well, what about projectile pop, and told me this story. while in High school (before we met), he went to homecoming with a girl, and afterwards to a movie. At some point in the movie, he had his hand on top of the cup of soda (which was in the cup holder), when there was a sudden noise, and , well... the cup ended up halfway down the aisle.

This is commonly seen in people with neurological issues including, CP, Autisim and ADD/ADHD (which runs in both my family and my BIL's). It also has a name... SENSORY INTERGRATION DYSFUNCTION.

My son is also sensitive to certain sounds but not others that seem very similar to me. Can't stand the mini electric pencil sharpener but doesn't mind the food processor. Sensory Integration therapists are hard to come by, so if you find one get on their waiting list quick. It is possible to desensitize your child to some extent and these therapists are the key.

The out of sync child is a great book on the subject.

My name is Samantha and I'm 19 years and I have the startle reflex. I jump for almost any loud noise. When it thunders I have to wear headphones. Mortorcycles, doors slamming books also or actually anything that slams. I've stopped going to the movie theater all together and yes I've tried the ear plugs. And alot of other things make me jump. I live my aunt and sometimes she get so annoyed or even mad when I jump. Sometimes I just wish she would understand that it isn' t my fault. It would also be nice to someone to talk to if they go through this too