posted January 01, 2008 01:33 PM
I wanted to post about Vestibular Disorders (aka Cerebellar-Vestibular Dysfunction,inner ear problems) which have symptoms that overlap with Dyspraxia,Dyslexia,AD/HD,Auditory Processing Disorder,and especially sensory integration disorderVestibular disorders in children are generally considered uncommon. They are not as easily recognized as vestibular disorders in adults, in part because children cannot describe their symptoms as well.
Symptoms and signs that may indicate vestibular dysfunction in children include developmental and reflex delays, visual-spatial problems, hearing loss, tinnitus, motion sensitivity, abnormal movement patterns, clumsiness, decreased eye-hand and eye-foot coordination, ataxia, falls, nystagmus, seizures, dizziness, nausea, ear pressure, difficulty moving in the dark, behavioral changes, and/or delays in performance of developmental activities such as riding a bicycle, hopping, and stair climbing involving alternating left-right leg movements. http://www.vestibular.org/vestibular-disorders/specific-disorders/pediatric-ves t.-disorders.php
(developmental delays,visual-spatial problems,abnormal movement patterns,clumsiness,decreased eye-hand and eye-foot coordination,developmental delays, difficulty moving in the dark,behavioral changes,falls,and delays in performance of developmental activities seem to fit right in with Dyspraxia).....I had all those problems except for visual spatial problems because I have visual spatial strengths of Dyslexia
Possible Symptoms of Vestibular Disorders
The human balance system depends on the inner ear, the eyes, and the muscles and joints to transmit reliable information about the body's movement and orientation in space. If the inner ear or other elements of the balance system are damaged, the result may be vertigo, dizziness, imbalance, and other symptoms.
The human balance system depends on the inner ear, the eyes, and the muscles and joints to transmit reliable information about the body's movement and orientation in space. If the inner ear or other elements of the balance system are damaged, the result may be vertigo, dizziness, imbalance, and other symptoms.
With vestibular disorders, the type and severity of symptoms can vary considerably. Symptoms can be frightening and difficult to describe. People affected by certain symptoms of vestibular disorders may be perceived as inattentive, lazy, overly anxious, or seeking attention. They may have trouble reading or doing simple arithmetic. Functioning in the workplace, going to school, performing routine daily tasks, or just getting out of bed in the morning may be difficult for some people.
The following is a list of symptoms that have been reported by people with vestibular disorders. Not all symptoms will be experienced by every person with an inner ear disorder, and other symptoms are possible. An inner ear disorder may be present even in the absence of obvious or severe symptoms. It is important to note that most of these individual symptoms can also be caused by other conditions, unrelated to the ear.
(I only listed the symptoms that fit with neurodivergent conditions........so I left some out....I could be wrong too because maybe some of the other symptoms fit with neurodivergent conditions)....not that they said that an inner ear disorder may be present even in the absense of obvious or severe symptoms....so vestibular disorder can easily be undiagnosed,misdiagnosed due to lack of apparent symptoms suggesting a vestibular disorder....especially if they only focus on problems with balance...also if there is talk about problems with the inner ear,many people will just associate that with only hearing problems. a lot of people think that ear is only for hearing but don't know about it being important for balance. Cerebellum,part of the brain,is important for balance too.)
Vision Symptoms of Vestibular Disorder
* Trouble focusing or tracking objects with the eyes; objects or words on a page seem to jump, bounce, float, or blur or may appear doubled
* sensitivity to light, glare, and moving or flickering lights; fluorescent lights may be especially troublesome http://www.vestibular.org/vestibular-disorders/symptoms.php
(They fit with the visual processing issues of Scotopic Sensitivity and Visual Dyslexia.......My problems are in tracking objects with the eyes, sensitivity to light,glare,and moving or flickering lights,flouresecent lights may be especially troublesome, but it's not the point that my vision is distorted)
Hearing Symptoms of Vestibular Disorder
* Hearing loss; distorted or fluctuating hearing
* Sensitivity to loud noises or environments http://www.vestibular.org/vestibular-disorders/symptoms.php
(They fit the auditory processing issues of Auditory Processing Disorder and Auditory Dyslexia)....I have a history of distorted hearing(auditory reversals that have been corrected through auditory therapy), mishear words at times) and have problems with sensitivity to loud noises or environments,but it doesn't lead to pain but an audiological tester asked me if I need earplugs when I go to bed, I wore headphones while I was working with sandpaper that my navy coworkers looked at me like I was weird)
Cognitive and psychological Symptoms of Vestibular Disorder
* Difficulty concentrating and paying attention; easily distracted
* Forgetfulness and short-term memory lapses
* Confusion, disorientation, difficulty comprehending directions or instructions
* Difficulty following speakers in conversations, meetings, etc., especially when there is background noise or movement
* Mental and/or physical fatigue out of proportion to activity
* Loss of self-reliance, self-confidence, self-esteem
* Anxiety, panic
* Depression http://www.vestibular.org/vestibular-disorders/symptoms.php
(Every single one of those symptoms can be symptoms of psychiatric disorders including even psychotic disorders)
(Difficulty concentrating and paying attention,easily distracted fit with AD/HD......I have all those issues...Fish/Cod Liver Oil helps me
(Forgetfulness and short term memory lapses fit with ADHD,Dyspraxia)...........I have all those issues.....Fish/Cod Liver Oil helps me
Confusion,disorientation,difficulty comprehending directions or instructions fit with Dyslexia,Dyspraxia,AD/HD)....I have all those issues
Difficulty following speakers in conversations,meetings,etc,especially when there is background noise or movement fits with Auditory Processing Disorder,Dyslexia,Dyspraxia,and AD/HD).....I have all those issues
(Mental and/or physical fatigure out proportion to activity, loss of self reliance,self confidence,self esteem are emotional fallout of learning disorders and AD/HD)......I have a history of those issues since my special education days
(Anxiety,panic fits with Anxiety Disorders,Avoidant Personality Disorder)....I have those issues
(Depression fits with Depression Disorders)....I have those issues
(both can be emotional fallout of learning disorders and AD/HD).....That's definitely true in my case
Other
* Motion sickness
* Sensation of fullness in the ears
* Headaches
* Slurred speech
* Sensitivity to pressure or temperature changes and wind currents
(sensitivity to pressure or temperature changes and wind currents,headaches,slurred speech could fit in with neurodivergent conditions)...I can relate to motion sickness,headaches, and sensitivity to pressure or temperature changes and wind currents
After reading Dr. Levinson's books on cerebellar vestibular dysfunction which seems pretty much all about vestibular disorders and he trying to connect them to learning disorders and AD/HD,I am starting to believe that a vestibular disorder could be a cause of Dyspraxic,Dyslexic,other Learning Disorders,AD/HD symptoms. I don't believe that vestibular disorder causes all cases of Dyspraxia, Dyslexia,other learning disorders,nor AD/HD, and so that's where I disagree with Dr. Levinson. I also believe that the vestibular disorder could be a co-existing disorder with learning disorder and AD/HD. In 2005, Dr. Levinson's testing showed that I have vestibular disorder,and so he diagnosed me as having cerebellar vestibular dysfunction. I had a severe ear infection when I was 3 months old. I have a history of balance and coordination problems. At 4 years old,I was examined by neurologist because of those issues and brain damage was ruled out. In 2006,Veteran Affairs neurologists confirmed that I have an abnormal cerebellar system. After neuropsyche testing that concluded that I have learning problems, they confirmed that I have Dyslexia and Dyspraxia. It was Dr. Levinson's testing that I took to the neurologists to get me tested.
My Cerebellar Vestibular Dysfunction Diagnosis http://astynaz.myphotoalbum.com/view_photo.php?set_albumName=album01&id=Dr_Levinso n_exam_000
My Diagnosis of Dyslexia,Dyspraxia by Veteran Affairs Neurology http://astynaz.myphotoalbum.com/view_photo.php?s et_albumName=album01&id=Veteran_Affairs_Neurology_Assessment_and_Follow_Up_007
My Diagnoses of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Inattentive Type, Generalized Anxiety Disorder,Dysthymic Disorder,and Avoidant Personality Disorder http://astynaz.myphotoalbum.com/view_photo.php?set_albumName=album01&id=LD_ADHD_ Assessment_005
Dr. Levinson uses the same testing as doctors that test for vestibular disorder including electronystagmography (ENG which include Rotation tests, Computerized Dynamic Posturography (CDP),and Speech audiometry tests on me.
He didn't use a 3D Optokinetic scanner for me because I told him that I didn't have visual processing Dyslexic problems but auditory processing Dyslexic problems. He tested me with a 3D auditory scanner which measures auditory blurring,and the instrument capable of speeding up a series of clear sounds until they could no longer be distinguished, with and without an interfering background,thus establishing the auditory blurring speed. He also conducted neurological tests which are exactly the same type of tests that are used to test for intoxication in drivers suspected to be drunk. Maybe intoxication impairs the cerebellar-vestibular system. I was very abnormal overall on the Cerebellar Dysfunction/Neurological Testing. http://astynaz.myphotoalbum.com/view_photo.php?set_albumName=album01&id=Dr_Levinso n_exam_003 http://astynaz.myphotoalbum.com/view_photo.php?set_albumName=album01&id=Dr_Levinso n_exam_002
Confirmation of Abnormal Cerebellar System by Veteran Affairs Neurologists http://astynaz.myphotoalbum.com/view_photo.php?s et_albumName=album01&id=Veteran_Affairs_Neurology_Assessment_and_Follow_Up_002
Testing for Vestibular Disorder http://www.vestibular.org/vestibular-disorders/diagnostic-tests.php
Testing for Dyslexic Syndrome http://www.levinsonmedical.com/information/testing.html
Dr. Levinson prescribed me Meclizine( aka Antivert,an antihistamine that is used for vestibular disorders and is available in drug stores without a prescription) and recommended Ginkgo,DMAE,Lecithin,and Piracetam. http://astynaz.myphotoalbum.com/view_photo.php?set_albumName=album01&id=Dr_Levinso n_exam_004
Symptoms of Vestibular Disorder http://www.vestibular.org/vestibular-disorders/symptoms.php
Dr. Levinson's list of Symptoms of Dyslexic Syndrome that are obvious symptoms of vestibular disorder http://www.levinsonmedical.com/information/syndrome.html
Symptoms of Dyspraxia http://www.ncld.org/content/view/466/391/ http://www.dyspraxiausa.org/symptoms_of_dyspraxia.html http://www.dyspraxiausa.org/adult_symptoms.html
I want to reiterate that vestibular disorders don't cause all nor most cases of learning disorders nor ADHD. I believe that they can cause many cases of them though. I also believe that the vestibular disorder can co-exist with learning disorders and AD/HD. Another thing is that Ronald D. Davis mentions that disorientation,confusion are strongly connected to learning disorders and AD/HD in his book,GIFT OF DYSLEXIA. The thing is that disorientation,confusion are symptoms of vestibular disorder too.
Also Dore uses exercises to treat cerebellar dysfunction which he believes is root of learning disorders and AD/HD. Exercise program is also implemented to treat vestibular disorder.
Vestibular Disorder therapy http://ww.vestibular.org/vestibular-disorders/treatment/vestibular-rehab.php
Ronald D. Davis Theory of Dyslexia where he talks about disorientation/confusion http://www.dyslexia.com/library/davistheory.htm
Dore http://www.dorecenters.com/how.aspx
I just want to say that I don't believe that nobody has all the answers to problems in life. That goes the same with people who have answers to the neurodivergent conditions. There could be right in some things and wrong in others. There can be many roots to a problem,and so there can be many solutions to a problem. I always feel that it's always good to look at numerous views of things whether they are believed to be right or wrong. Many things can seem controversial to people if it doesn't fit with mainstream views. However,many views that were controversial are mainsteam today. Jesus' teachings were seen as highly controversial,and he was rejected by many Jewish religious leaders and crucified. Now his teachings are mainstream with Christianity being one of the major world world religions.
Raymond Andrews
Lindaland
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posted January 01, 2008 01:33 PM