For those dealing with whispering

[Mayzoo]

My kiddo spoke in a normal voice until PANDAS. Then she stopped speaking for three months, and has whispered for the last 18 months. Usually so quiet, we struggle to understand her and frequently she has to write down what she is trying to say.

 

We have been trying for 18 months to get her to talk louder, much to everyone's frustration. I decided recently to try a new approach and so far so good (we just really started this morning, so too soon to tell, but I am very hopeful). I bought a personal voice amplifier much like what a speaker to a crowd uses. Now, we have to break some really bad habits acquired over the last 19 months and learn some new rules. But, I am so far thrilled!

 

I can finally hear my kiddo without being an inch from her mouth. I am hesitantly VERY hopeful. It was 21.00 total, and I ordered it from Ebay via China. It took about 8 days to get here. I could have gotten one from the US for about 35.00, but I figured I could save over a 1.00 a day since I have already waited 18 months to be able to hear my child talking again. Here is a link to what we bought: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Red-Mini-Waistband-Portable-PA-Voice-Amplifier-Booster-Smile-Size-FM-Radio-25W/121148781993?_trksid=p2045573.m2042&_trkparms=aid%3D111000%26algo%3DREC.CURRENT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D17369%26meid%3D1353306841241413515%26pid%3D100033%26prg%3D8089%26rk%3D4%26rkt%3D4%26sd%3D171046008813%26

Edited September 17, 2013 by Mayzoo

[Hrosenkrantz]

Mayzoo, thanks for posting. My PANDAS son has been dealing with language issues for years (diagnosed with a language disorder 2.5 years before the pandas dx), but his langauge skills really plummeted when pandas hit. As things have improved, we've often gotten comments about his whispering -- ``why does he do that'' sort of thng -- and one of his doctors has even said what he is dealing with looks a lot like selective mutism...

[Mayzoo]

Mayzoo, thanks for posting. My PANDAS son has been dealing with language issues for years (diagnosed with a language disorder 2.5 years before the pandas dx), but his langauge skills really plummeted when pandas hit. As things have improved, we've often gotten comments about his whispering -- ``why does he do that'' sort of thng -- and one of his doctors has even said what he is dealing with looks a lot like selective mutism...

 

We were told selective mutism as well, but this was by a neurologist who stated her behaviours were "behavioral issues" regardless of what she presented with.....100% of the time, and no I am not exaggerating. If you look at my siggie, you will see it is VERY unlikely every issue she has ever had was behavioural. Some yes, all no way.

 

We are with an immunologist now, and he says it is not common, but he himself has a handful of patients that have whispered since onset of symptoms. I hope if you try it, you are as pleased as I am right now. My hubby was able to have a two way conversation with his child on the phone for the first time in almost two years . He is thrilled so far too.