Sensory Disorders..

[rachaelsscraps]

I just learned from my son's teacher today that the special educator at his school gave him a sensory disorder quiz. I don't know all the results or much of the details, but it was because he was having trouble paying attention to things in school. A little background, Gunner was born 9 weeks early because I had pre-eclampsia and he weighed less than 2 pounds at birth. Since then he's had many problems from his prematurity, including plagiocephaly, low muscle tone (which resulted in physical therapy since he was about 7 months old), behavior problems and speech problems, and being behind in development including in school learning. (He's on an IEP at school for this.)He did awesome when he was in preschool last school year, but since starting kindergarten, he's been "written up" for things every single day, for stupid things like talking too loud (which is part of his speech problems and is specified in his IEP at school) and flicking a box.. but he's also been in trouble for not paying attention, yelling at kids on the playground, pretending his fingers are a gun and shooting other kids... well this whole week so far he's done AWESOME. No write-ups at all, and he's getting reward coins left and right, he even got a good behavior award in the school assembly this week!!!! (Of which I am SOOOO proud of him for getting!!!) This morning his teacher told me that he started some sensory therapy and I am not sure what day that started but I am going to get more information on it from his teacher when they do the conferences soon. In his sensory therapy they have him hold a weighted bean bag while walking in the hallway (to get him to stop walking on his tip-toes, a preemie problem) and they have him hold a small beanbag while writing and reading, etc. I don't know if this is why he's done so well this week, or not... but I'm going to be researching this more and finding out all about it.

Anyways... lol
Does anyone here have a child with diagnosed sensory disorders that could chime in and maybe have some links to good sites? (I know that there are some sensory problems with autism, and Gunner has not been diagnosed with autism but I'm sure sensory problems are sensory problems with or without autism, right?)

[KristinCB]

Lucas is three and doesn't have a sensory disorder (often called SPD - sensory processing disorder) but he does have several things that are difficult with his senses

He has a really big gag reflex which is fun.. LOL

This is a good site: http://www.sensory-processing-disorder.com/ which will lead you to more resources etc.

One thing that lucas has that helps really well and not sure if you have this problem but its called a wiggle cushion -



It helps him so much where he is in a place he needs to sit or focus Like the bean bag in the hand its something to sort of keep them busy and get physical stimulation

I don't have any other helpful info etc but i'm sure others will chime in for sure!!

[Kenzi]

I have a friend who's son had sensory issues and has not been diagnosed with autism. He's a great kid, but has trouble focusing and is just "busy". He has trouble with other kids if they take things from him or want him to do things he's not comfortable with like rough housing, jumping, etc. He also hates to have anything on his hands or face. He gets along great with my DS because my DS is very patient and not overly rough like some boys can be (ie. my younger son) I don't know much more about it or if it is even the same thing that your DS is dealing with, but I thought you'd like to know you're not alone. Sounds like his school is making an effort to help which is great. I know some schools in some states can be less than accommodating.

[lovely1m]

I don't know anything about it, but wanted to say how great that he has done so well this week! You must be so proud!

[rachaelsscraps]

Thanks ladies
I am sooo very proud of him for doing so well this week! I was tearing up when he got his good behavior award!!!

[deepounds]

Originally Posted by lovely1m

I don't know anything about it, but wanted to say how great that he has done so well this week! You must be so proud!

Same here. A perfect example of how "little" things can actually be very BIG things!!

[jorgies5]

I have had suspicions about my daughter being hyposensitive and when I came across this post by Janet Phillips (hope she doesn't mind me posting it), I found it very helpful (and the websites she linked also with checklists).

http://phillipsfamily.typepad.com/ja...ync-child.html

I hope your son continues to do well

[MissKim]

Preemies often have trouble with sensory issues because their neurological system isn't as developed at birth. Not sure why, but it's just what happens. It makes sense, and a sensory diet is a great idea. Sounds like the teacher is on top of it! Glad he's doing so well!

[newfiemountiewife]

My daughter has austism and has some sensory issues. However, it's definitely possible to have this without having autism! One thing I am happy for, is that your school seems very pro active and will definitely be helping him. That is a HUGE plus! I'm glad he had a good week!

[SarahMD]

hmmm wow... i just read janetsv blog entry and skimmed the links.. my caliber seems to share some of the hypo dysfunctions.

he only within the last 6 months started speaking full sentences... he is always, "what?" "what?" "what?"

brooklynn, at his age 3 years and 3 months, was so articulate and well... idk how to explain it... thinking about it, i think EVERYONE who talks to caliber (except for the ones who spend almost everyday with him) find it hard to understand what he is saying. he's developed a lisp....

he jumps off the back of the couch... he jumps off the coffee table onto the couch... he now jumps into the bathtub like it's a swimming pool (we have like a soaking tub)... he's just now 3 almost and he's starting to hold his breath for like 10 seconds almost, it's like everytime he jumps and goes under he's trying to stay under for that much longer....

he like falls ALLLLLLL the time, when we're walking to the bus stop to get big sister he trips over everything, runs, falls, jumps, falls, walks falls....idk. and at home he is always banging and hitting stuff loooooooud noises, he stands 2 inches from the tv when it's low (thinking back on that one)... he thinks its funny to run into something and fall or jump off the couch and fall...

he doesn't 'get' colors or shapes.... and i swear the other day, i asked him to hand me the broom that was literally just about to touch his foot and hand, RIGHT next to him and he just couldn't see it...

it's like hypo almost everything that i could read in the little time i was skimming, but WOW... i've always been like... what is going on with this boy.. maybe he's just a slow developer... there is a lot i think i want to be checked out here... because while he is like 39 months old... him and his little sister, who is now 26 months old could almost pass for twins if she was just a few more inches taller and at her rate i'm thinking she may pass him up. he also didn't potty train until like 2yrs 9 mns.... not too bad, partly because we weren't in that big of a hurry because they are not in daycare and i figured he'd figure it out... but when we really started on it, i feel like he just wasn't getting it... not that he couldn't do it or wasn't ready or being stubborn, he just didn't 'get it' possibly the sensation, maybe he didn't feel it? idk...

but thanks for bringing this up and i hope you have some luck with it and the teacher's conference! i'm glad you've had help on that end with it for sure!

I'm sorry to hijack the post

[MissKim]

Sarah, I don't know if you're interested, but I'd bet your little guy would qualify for early intervention. It's a special ed service, but a lot of times if we get them in at 3, they can get caught up and learn the school readiness skills they need for kindergarten. It's a good thing, and free. Check for screenings in your area.

[SarahMD]

yeah, i think i will.... i know here we have voluntary pre kindergarten, they start i think at 4, its free 9-12 everyday.... and the teachers usually try to pick up on issues like that and they help with kindergarten readiness... i'll see what centers have it, but because his birthday is in December when he starts Kindergarten at 5, he will be 6 within only a few months... but I will call a few people I think tomorrow.... see what I can get done for him, maybe go ahead and get him into pre-k now at least so i can let his teacher know to help me look for his behavior.

i was seriously at the point like, i bet this boy has ADHD but this thread has made me think that maybe something a little more is going on here, and I'm not trying to label my son, just kinda wanna know how we can get him on the right path to getting the best he can out of life kind of thing... and so i can have a better understanding of how to help him at home. now that i'm working full time 1st shift and dh is working full time 2nd shift, with 3 kids 6 and under... i could surely use all the help i can get!

so it's early intervention, do i mention possible sensory issues or like some kind of behavior thing? the kids also just got medicaid finally since we don't have healthcare i got them on state medicaid so i can at least have that for them, would medicaid help?

[Amber1279]

I know Anthony (my 9 yr old DS) has SPD but there is no one in town to diagnose him officially. They have ruled out autism, ADD, and a few other things. It was also Janet's post that led me in the direction to be able to know how to deal with Anthony and help him. I also got the book "The Out-Of-Sync Child" and it helped with more info and techniques that help direct him.
From this checklist: http://www.sensory-processing-disord...checklist.html
Anthony has Hyposensitivity To Touch, Poor Tactile Perception And Discrimination, Hyposensitivity To Movement, Poor Muscle Tone And/Or Coordination, Sensory Seeking Behaviors, Difficulty With "Grading Of Movement", Hyposensitivity To Sounds, Hyposensitivity To Smells. Those are the areas that are most obvious.

We had his first evaluation at school last year and the psychologist was of no help. This year I was able to request a new evaluation with a new psychologist. He now has an IEP to help with his reading comprehension. He reads but doesn't process anything he is reading.

I wish I had known about SPD when Anthony was in preschool. I would have been able to get him into early intervention and they would have helped with his fine motor skills. Now the elementary school doesn't consider that a learning difficulty so they won't help.

[rach3975]

Congrats on his good week! It sounds like your teacher and therapists are on top of things, which is terrific.

Ben has sensory processing disorder. He's almost 5. No autism and he wasn't premature, but he has hypotonia, childhood apraxia of speech (mostly resolved), and global apraxia. He started PT and ST at 11 months, and his PT first noticed the sensory issues at about 1.5. For a few years his PT and SLP did sensory exercises with him, and they helped. By the time he was about 3 he was coping with his sensory differences better so we didn't pursue sensory therapy when we stopped private PT, but in the last year or so he's been having problems again, probably because he's getting older and people expect more restraint and age-appropriate behavior from him. He's finally getting OT at preschool (after 2 years of me asking for it unsuccessfully), but it's probably not enough to work on both his sensory and self-care skills even though they're trying.

For the most part Ben is a sensory seeker-he doesn't get enough sensory input, so he does things like wash his hands with very hot water, eat with his hands, play with anything left near him (run it through his fingers), make funny noises with his mouth, and touch my hair. He loves to be tossed in the air or turned upside down, and he likes to be squeezed hard when we hug him. There are also a few things he's overly sensitive to, like tooth brushing and food textures. He has some sleep issues, and we're trying to sort out if they're due to the SPD or something else. He falls a lot, but it's hard to sort out how much of that is SPD vs the apraxia for him.

Good luck with your research and figuring out what works for your DS!

[MissKim]

Originally Posted by SarahMD

so it's early intervention, do i mention possible sensory issues or like some kind of behavior thing? the kids also just got medicaid finally since we don't have healthcare i got them on state medicaid so i can at least have that for them, would medicaid help?

Just ask about a developmental screening (sometimes it's through the school district, sometimes through another agency). The way it works here is that you just sign up for the screening, and then once you're there, they'll ask why you're there. I'd tell them about the issues with learning basic concepts (like colors and prepositions) as well as sensory issues (the jumping, etc.). If they have any experience, they'll pick up on that stuff anyway.

[rachaelsscraps]

It still drives me nuts to think that there are soooo many "disorders" out there for kids now, it seems like kids can't be a plain ol' kid anymore... like they think everyone needs to be diagnosed with something. I always have a hard time believing that so many of these mental diseases/disorders actually exsist, kwim? Like, why can't a kid be hyper? Isn't it normal for everyone to have different personality types? But at the same time, I know the teachers have seen Gunner do so much better this past week with some sensory therapy.
I hope though that they can tell me everything they've done and give me more suggestions because he's the same as he's always been at home. lol. So, I'm going to make an appointment with his ped tomorrow to talk to him about it and see what he has to offer for advice, then I'll get to talk to the special educator at his school.
I just feel awful that he "isn't a normal kid"... I'd hate to think that when he gets older he might have to have a helper in his classes and be picked on for that, kwim? I don't know if that will actually happen, but it's a huge fear of mine.

[KristinCB]

ohhhh do i have a video for you!!

My *personal* opinion on everything.. and I hope don't um I can't think of the word but go too of course on the original thread but I really think tons of kids are getting diagnosed with too many things these days and there are all these disorders that I question.. the good with it comes with the fact that there are so many specialists out there now that do help. Lucas is just lucas.. I say that alot lol but if someone says oh does he have something etc I just say that, "lucas is lucas" I am very glad that we get the support we do to help him - speech, occupational therapy and support at school. I think early intervention is such a huge thing - lucas has come such a far way in the last 1.5 years since starting with support..

Anyways this was shared on facebook the other week - maybe by someone here? I can't remember exactly who posted it..

http://naturalnews.tv/v.asp?v=79F04F...59E508D1281DE0

[g8rbeckie]

some close friends of ours have a boy with sensory disorder. He was acting out and very angry/frustrated quite a bit. Their therapist gave them a bunch of things to try, which have helped. The simplest is to use one of those little plastic newborn brushes and to brush his skin with it a few times a day. Sounds very similar to what they've tried with your son, Rachael.

You know what else they discovered (when he was 5)? That he is allergic to ALMOST EVERYTHING. Yep, food allergies.

This boy is allergic to beef, dairy, gluten, and artificial food coloring.

Once they cut out all that stuff his behavior made a complete 180 flip. Personally, I juts can't imagine a life with such a restrictive diet, but to them the food changes are a small price to pay for having peace in the house.

[rachaelsscraps]

I'll have to try that brushing thing and see what happens. We also have an 18 month old, so we have one of them handy. Whenever I have it sitting out after brushing my daughters hair with it, he runs over and grabs it.. hm, wondering now! lol I'll see what happens with that..

and I love that video, Kristin.. I posted it right to my facebook wall. It made me cry because of some other stuff going on in my family right now... to make a long story short I have custody of my little sister (only 13) who has been labeled with a mental disorder that I do not believe it real... she's been "removed" from our mom's home and has done a 180 since she's been with me (even failing grades in school are now in the 90s!) Thanks for that video

[jorgies5]

Originally Posted by g8rbeckie

Once they cut out all that stuff his behavior made a complete 180 flip. Personally, I juts can't imagine a life with such a restrictive diet, but to them the food changes are a small price to pay for having peace in the house.

The one food that sets my daughter off is fruit snacks. I can't have them in my house because once she starts eating them, it is like a light switch...she becomes so volatile and emotional...it is crazy.

[jorgies5]

Originally Posted by rachaelsscraps

It still drives me nuts to think that there are soooo many "disorders" out there for kids now, it seems like kids can't be a plain ol' kid anymore... like they think everyone needs to be diagnosed with something. I always have a hard time believing that so many of these mental diseases/disorders actually exsist, kwim? Like, why can't a kid be hyper? Isn't it normal for everyone to have different personality types? But at the same time, I know the teachers have seen Gunner do so much better this past week with some sensory therapy.
I hope though that they can tell me everything they've done and give me more suggestions because he's the same as he's always been at home. lol. So, I'm going to make an appointment with his ped tomorrow to talk to him about it and see what he has to offer for advice, then I'll get to talk to the special educator at his school.
I just feel awful that he "isn't a normal kid"... I'd hate to think that when he gets older he might have to have a helper in his classes and be picked on for that, kwim? I don't know if that will actually happen, but it's a huge fear of mine.

I have struggled with the same things. Other than enrolling her in an early intervention program when she was younger, I haven't done much more. I have just gotten used to managing it on my own and she is doing well in school. Even though I can check off a large amount of items on the checklists, I feel strongly that these things make up who my daughter is and I don't want to try to change her because I feel it is part of her personality. I don't really consider it a disorder. Of course, if her case was more severe and she was struggling in school, I definitely would pursue ways to help her at school. I have a friend that was really pushing me to get her on drugs to help her "tone down". While there are many instances where drugs are very beneficial to kids with disorders, I just didn't feel like it was the right avenue for my daughter. I am going to look more into the sensory therapy since you are seeing some success with your son.

[schock77]

I teach 3-5 year olds with special needs and several of my students over the past 10 years have had sensory issues and I have to recommend a book to you called The Out-of-Sync Child (all about Sensory Integration Dysfunction). there is also a follow-up called The Out-of-Sync Child has Fun (for play ideas). Many people in general have some sensory needs- like shaking your legs while you sit, or chewing the edge of a pen, or leaning forward at the table to get pressure feedback, etc. Once we know what feels good to our bodies, we start to do things to accommodate in "more appropriate" ways- we just didn't have a name for it, you know?

The important thing is to be sure if you do sensory activities that you do them equally- for example, for kids who need vestibular input, many spin, but if you spin only one way and not the other, you're actually making the issue worse. Does that make sense? Also, with the brushing- like all sensory activities, what works for some and may not for others. We have used brushing for kids who needed "light touch" sensation and for kids who are "tickled" by light touch, brushing could have the opposite effect... so I'd try to find out what kind of sensory needs your child has: if the have Vestibularneeds (think balance)-spinning, swings, etc. may help... for Proprioceptive needs (think joint comprehension), pushing heavy things, leaning on tables, holding weighted items, etc. may help... just to give you an idea. Feel free to hit me up anytime if you'd like more resources for young children.

[amystoffel]

My son Braden who is four was diagnosed with SPD, speech delay and low tone when he was two. I got this book it's full of great info, helps explain a lot of stuff too. And I bought all of his chew stix and other sensory toys here I am happy to say that after two years of therapy his sensory tantrums have lowered by about 50%, so they really can help.

[Janet Phillips]

As mentioned above, with a link to a blog post I wrote about it, my son Caleb (now almost 7) has SPD. We knew there were issues with him early on, but didn't know what until he was four. When I first heard about SPD I read some sites and The Out of Sync Child and knew immediately that's what we were dealing with.

He was in occupational therapy for a year and a half and did really well. His therapist and I both felt like he had gotten what he could get out of it, especially since I homeschool him and can do a lot of those things at home with him.

Early intervention is really important. First, because these kids can actually rewire their brains if it is caught early enough and second, because as a parent it really helps to know how to handle them. Caleb had no behavior issues at all (still doesn't) but I did have to learn how and when to handle his sensory issues. He has come so, so far, though we do still have issues (speech is still a struggle and he is in therapy for it) and I think as he gets older other issues will start to be more obvious, since the older he gets the more differences are noticeable with other kids his age. When he was younger, a lot of things could be passed off or not noticed by others since it was just "preschoolish." Now, you can see and tell the difference.

That said, I totally know where people are coming from with their fear of labeling and over-diagnosing. I think a LOT of kids get "diagnosed" with issues that are just a way to excuse poor behavior and lack of parental intervention. But that definitely isn't always the case.

And we have to remember that our kids, even if they need help, are precious and wonderful just as they are. I'm so stinkin' passionate about this! They are who God made them to be, and our job as parents is to help them be the best THEM they can be. If that means intervention, great. If that means they don't follow the mainstream, so be it. If that means bring them home to school so they get what THEY need, then that's what we do. We need to love them for who they are, get them the help they need, realize that as parents WE are the number one source of help (if we aren't willing to do the work, we can't expect anyone else to), and then love them like crazy and see what amazing things are in store. HERE is a post I wrote about this.

[SarahMD]

Originally Posted by Janet Phillips

And we have to remember that our kids, even if they need help, are precious and wonderful just as they are. I'm so stinkin' passionate about this! They are who God made them to be, and our job as parents is to help them be the best THEM they can be. If that means intervention, great. If that means they don't follow the mainstream, so be it. If that means bring them home to school so they get what THEY need, then that's what we do. We need to love them for who they are, get them the help they need, realize that as parents WE are the number one source of help (if we aren't willing to do the work, we can't expect anyone else to), and then love them like crazy and see what amazing things are in store. HERE is a post I wrote about this.

This is so true! I, as silly as it may seem, love how different Caliber can be. It sets him apart. Maybe I knew something from the very start, naming him Caliber. He certainly is a "caliber" of his own... He doesn't misbehave like on purpose, and it's mainly things like having to repeat myself over and over and over and over. Lately he's been starting tantrums... serious crying screaming fits! I kneel down next to him and hold is hand and say, "Caliber, calm down, look at momma...no crying now, you have to tell me whats wrong." He's started doing better and we resolve issues a lot more quickly. I'm getting him to the doctor on Friday - it's so hard I'd have him there sooner if I could. DH works 2nd and I work 1st and because of gas prices we are sharing my vehicle, which is a 98 ford explorer and a gas guzzler when he drives it... but anywho. I am without a vehicle in the evenings and if I wanted to drive him to work to have it I would have to be at his work at 11 to pick him up (kids in tow) and be home by midnight to only get up at 4am to start getting ready for work! Oh... the things you do for a family and your kids! I don't think at this point in time it's an emergency situation, it is high on my priorities and we are actually going to have his hearing checked first more than likely. Start from the most simple to the more complex and then see what we're dealing with. AND... it may just be that this boy was determined by God to be a highly motivated and extremely energetic boy! Looks like he'll be going out for Spring Soccer or TBall if thats the case! Channel this boys energy into something PRODUCTIVE and FUN