Tennessee Tech’s Dr. Christina Mick and her daughter Kayla have authored a children’s book about Auditory Processing Disorder.
Those with Auditory Processing Disorder can hear sound, but struggle to discern what is being said. Mick said “Meg and the Magic of Movement” was inspired by Kayla’s early challenges with the condition.
“[Kayla] had to wear equipment in school, so her experience was very difficult in terms of she was very shy,” Mick said. “She experienced bullying, you know, students made fun of her with this equipment.”
Mick said the book follows a chinchilla named Meg who has Auditory Processing Disorder and her journey, which is modeled after Kayla’s. In the book, Meg enters a jump rope competition to help her cope with the disease.
This too was similar to Kayla’s experience. Mick said Kayla has used dance as an outlet to help her cope with her condition. Mick said the movement helped Kayla’s brain struggle less with the disorder. There is no cure.
Mick said Kayla, who is now a college student, has learned to better navigate Auditory Processing Disorder as she’s gotten older.
“She’s a real good lip reader,” Mick said. “She knows a little bit of sign language, but she also knows how to navigate watching someone’s face while they talk to her. Or she’s built the confidence up to not be afraid to ask people to repeat themselves.”
Mick said Auditory Processing Disorder can be described as dyslexia of the ears. Although it may seem challenging to take an uncommon condition and turn it into a children’s book, Mick said Kayla’s experiences made it easier.
Mick said soon after Kayla’s diagnosis, she was given the opportunity to explain her condition to her classmates.
“The classroom teacher actually allowed Kayla to say ‘I can hear sound, but the sounds are mumbled in my brain, and that’s why I have to have equipment in the classroom,'” Mick said.
Mick said less than five percent of school aged children struggle with Auditory Processing Disorder. That number increases in people over 55 years old because their auditory memory is more likely to deteriorate.
Mick said anyone could struggle with this condition, and it is often misdiagnosed as ADHD. She recommends anyone having ADHD symptoms or a hearing impairment be thoroughly tested for both conditions.
“Meg and the Magic of Movement” is available for purchase on Amazon and Kindle. Mick said all proceeds from the book will go toward purchasing jump ropes to give to kids across the Upper Cumberland.
Mick is Tech’s Director of the Center for Counselling and Mental Health Wellness.
