Why Do I Have to Repeat Myself? | Dr. Jody Jedlicka, LearningRX
Exploring Neurodiversity
Equipping parents during their child’s academic years to bring learning to daily moments.
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On today’s episode…
Why does your child seem to hear you but still struggle to follow through? Dr. Kelly Cagle sits down with Dr. Jody Jedlicka to explore the difference between hearing and auditory processing—and why listening difficulties aren't always disobedience or lack of attention. Learn what signs to look for, when to seek additional support, and simple ways to make listening and learning easier for your child.
Show Notes
Why Do I Have to Repeat Myself?
If you've ever said, “I know you heard me—why do I have to keep repeating myself?” you're not alone.
But what if your child did hear you, and their brain is having difficulty processing what they heard?
In my conversation with Dr. Jody Jedlicka, we explored auditory processing and why some children struggle to follow directions, listen in noisy environments, or keep up with conversations—even when their hearing is perfectly fine.
Hearing and Listening Aren't the Same Thing
Dr. Jody explained that hearing is simply detecting sound. Listening requires much more from the brain.
Your child has to separate your voice from background noise, recognize speech sounds, put those sounds in order, attach meaning to the words, and process that information quickly enough to respond.
For a child with an auditory processing weakness or disorder, something can break down along the way.
So when you're tempted to say, “I already told you!” remember that hearing the words doesn't necessarily mean their brain successfully processed the message.
Get Curious About the Behavior
One of the biggest lessons from this conversation is to observe before assuming.
Behavior tells us something is happening, but it doesn't always tell us why.
If your child frequently struggles to follow directions, start noticing patterns. Do they do better when instructions are written down? Does background noise make things harder? Do longer, multi-step directions cause more problems? Do they seem lost or unusually quiet in group conversations?
These clues can help you move away from “My child isn't listening” toward “What is making listening difficult for my child?”
That shift matters—especially for children who are already hearing things like pay attention, try harder, or I already told you on a regular basis.
Knowing When to Seek More Support
Auditory processing challenges can also exist alongside ADHD, dyslexia, learning disabilities, or other difficulties. That can make it hard for parents to know exactly what they're seeing.
If you've tried different strategies and your child is still struggling academically, becoming frustrated with learning, or beginning to feel badly about themselves, it may be time to seek additional answers.
An evaluation isn't about putting your child in a box. Understanding the struggle helps you find the right support.
As Dr. Jody shared, once professionals can identify where processing is breaking down, many of those weaknesses can be addressed through targeted intervention and accommodations.
What You Can Do Today
You don't have to wait for an evaluation to begin helping your child.
Try reducing background noise when giving important instructions. Speak face-to-face so your child can use visual cues. Break long directions into smaller steps. Use written instructions when helpful. For schoolwork, consider introducing unfamiliar vocabulary before a new lesson so your child isn't trying to process new words and new concepts at the same time.
Sometimes small changes can significantly reduce the amount of mental energy a child has to use just to understand what's being said.
Key Takeaways
Hearing and listening are different. A child can hear you without fully processing what you've said.
Behavior is information. Get curious about what's behind repeated listening difficulties before assuming disobedience or lack of effort.
Look for patterns. Background noise, multi-step directions, group conversations, and lack of visual cues can reveal where a child struggles.
Don't be afraid to seek answers. An evaluation can provide clarity and help you find support that actually addresses the problem.
Make listening easier when you can. Face-to-face communication, shorter directions, less background noise, and visual supports can make a meaningful difference.
The next time you find yourself wondering, “Why do I have to repeat myself?”, try asking a different question:
“What might be making it harder for my child to process what I'm saying?”
Curiosity can change the way we respond—and sometimes it can lead us to the support our child has needed all along.
About Dr. Jody Jedlicka
Dr. Jody Jedlicka is a Doctor of Audiology with more than 30 years of experience helping children and families navigate learning and communication challenges. Her career has included serving as an audiologist for Milwaukee Public Schools, an educator at the University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh, and running a practice where she focused on Auditory Processing Disorders and the ways auditory and cognitive skills impact learning. Today, as Director of Support for LearningRx, she provides strategic guidance to brain training centers nationwide and helps families and educators better understand and address the underlying skills that can affect a child’s ability to learn and thrive.
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