I am a mom who has a 4 year old with Sensory intergration disorder?

Question

I need help in understanding my daughter who has Sensory intergration dysfuntion from other moms and adults who have this.

She has OT and Ot now, but I want to know how things will look in the future. Both good and bad.

Answer 1

Here is a great website for Sensory Integration Therapy http://www.sensory-processing-disorder.c...

My son is (finally!) about to receive this diagnosis after five years of fighting with our health care system for referrals, evaluations and coverage due to its "experimental and investigational status lacking proven effectiveness."

You may or may not have experienced the lack of approval from your doctor/s and/or insurance company, but this article pretty much sums of this negative treatment of all things sensory: http://www.quackwatch.com/01QuackeryRela...

Over the years we have seen our son develop his own methods of coping with overstimulation, but until recently did not understand that this was what he was doing.  

For instance, his kindergarten teacher complained that he smelled everything.  This was an escape for him, he could focus on just the smell of whatever it was and block out all of the noise, movement and chaos around him.

Little things of different textures (from loofas to cosmetic brushes) would disappear on a regular basis from my bedroom, only to be found under his pillow - so he could rub them on his face at night.

Understanding Sensory Disorders can be a real journey.  You are wise to ask others for their collective experiences.  Here are a few more websites, many with forums for connecting with others who have the same questions and experiences:

http://www.out-of-sync-child.com/

http://autism.healingthresholds.com/ther...

http://www.spdfoundation.net/

Answer 2

I haven't had much experience with this disorder myself. My son will be 3 in october and is yet to be diagnosed, though he has many of the symptoms.

My son seems to be very intelligent.. and I'm not sure what the future holds for my little guy.

email me at [e-mail] and put SPD as the subject. I would like to contact anyone that has a child with this disorder, a little like a support group, if you will.

Answer 3

I'm not a parent of a child with Sensory Processing Disorder, but I do have it. I'm not really sure about the IEP thing, I know it was part of my IEP when I was in school, but I'm not from you area, and I also have other issues to accompany it (type 1 diabetes, SLD, ADHD, hearing impairment) But I do know some things you can do to help him at home. Things like:

-Warn her verbally before you touch her

-Cut the tags from all her clothes

-Allow her to be an extra picky eater, just make sure she gets her nutrition

-Eliminate as much background noise as possible when concentration is required

-When you buy her clothes, make sure they are comfy for him

-Don't force her to use flannel sheets (or other types he may find irritating) if it is a warmth issue, add more blankets on top, or take some off

-Don't wear strong perfumes or use strong odor sprays in your home

-Let her choose the light bulbs where possible (he'll either prefer xtraordinary bright bulbs, or very dim bulbs) or get dimmers for you lights

-Most people don't think of this one, but buy grips for his pencils, just be prepared to try many different kinds before she finds one she likes (silicone, pillow)

-Do you best to buy sent free soaps and lotions

-Get his attention before you talk to her

It's important to evaluate her for other  learning disorders, as well as high functioning autistic spectrum disorders, such as Aspergers and PDD.NOS, and sensory processing disorders often accompany this problems.

Make sure you fully evaluate you daughter's hearing and vision, and get a second opinion. Also, look into Irlens syndrome and CAPD (central auditory processing disorder) as they are both processing disorders that most schools recognize.

It's very important that you daughter receives help for this in school if she is not all ready. You need to call you daughter's school and request an IEP evaluation. In order for her to have the best outcome, she needs a good education. You may have to fight for your daughter, but it is well worth it.

For the school meeting... educate yourself as much as possible beforehand. Educate yourself on Sensory Processing Disorder by researching on the web, and get books from the library. Be prepared to have to teach the school all about what he may need. You may also have to show them some evidence, so bring his evaluation report. I'd bring some books with you to, so that when your educating the school, they know that you're not just making up your info. Also, educate yourself on the special education law before hand. The school is going to think you know nothing, so provide them wrong, and know your rights. This site is good for that http://www.wrightslaw.com/ . Basically, prepare a presentation on Sensory Processing Disorder to give them, and fight hard for your son. Don't give up, and don't loose heart!

As for  the future, with the right support, lots of patients, and loads of love, everything will turn out all right for you daughter. She may be a bit rebelious as a child and teenager, and she will probably struggle with school, and friends. You will need to support her. BEcause her peers may not understand her disorder, it is important for you to educate her about it, so that she can educate others, and advocate for herself. She may benefit from social therapy, and therapy for depression, as she may feel isolated from her friends, and sad that she struggles. But if you teach her to adopt now and how she can help herself, things will turn out great.

Myself, as a child who struggles with sensory processing issues, amongst other difficulties, grew up just fine. I graduated high school, got into university. I am now studying to become a special education teacher, so I can help others the way people have helped me. I am engaged to a wonderful man, and am expecting my first children, twins. I own a house, and go to work. And because I know how to adapt my environment to deal with my difficulties I am able. With love and support, your daughter will one day be a strong young woman, who knows that her sensory difficulties are part of who she is, and part of the reason she is so strong.

Good luck, sorry I couldn't help more!

Answer 4

It really depends on her intelligence and level of severity.  Treatment and understanding at such a young age will certainly help, too.  I would pose this to whomever you trust the most and knows your child well - OT, case manager, etc - and then take it as a reference, not the law.  It is difficult to tell at 4.

Have you read any of the books about Sensory Disorders out there?  Sensational Kids is a good choice, but I'm sure there are others.

Answer 5

my son is 15 and Autistic. when he was  younger his sensory was just shot.  we used to hug him alot to get him used to it. Brush his skin with a baby brush . any thing we could think of to help him out. yeah he cried and creid though and it seemed cruel.now fast forward to being a teenager. he didn't like showers for a long, long time. I just recently was told by an older verbal autistic student he goes to school with that a shower feels like needles on there skin. he isn't crazy about the beach either or alot of crowds such as a mall but he has gotten better with it. it all just takes time. as a mom of 5 kids i can tell you I have been where you are now. it does get better  you will look back years from now and  say WOW! mike one time stripped his clothes in the ball pit at Bk. i had to pay a kid $5.00 to get my son's clothes out of the tubes for me . I was 7 mo pregnant at the time. Oh the joys of Autism.. Bigs hugs to you hon :)

look up the poem "Welcome to Holland"