OT: Chandler is having a very rough time...suggestions?UPDATE

[3kidsmommy]

Chandler, 7, Autism, Mild mental Retardation, Sensory Dysfunction, Hyperactivity...you know the whole kit and caboodle...is really having a hard time. He has been having major breakdowns at school and at home as well. He is very unhappy. Chandler is verbal, but doesn't relay his thoughts or feelings well at all. He doesn't carry on conversations, etc. Last night...he didn't sleep. All night. Even with Melatonin. At 3:30am I gave up and had to go sleep a few hours. Today, there was no way I could send him to school--but he still hasn't slept! (and it is 2pm!) What do you do when your autistic kid is just out of sorts, has no physical symptoms of being sick, but just isn't "right"? He is crying a lot, more aggressive than normal, has no patience at all (more than normal!), and just doesn't appear happy. That is the most important thing to me--him being happy. School is at a loss, but they don't really "get" it anyway. His OT thinks a sensory diet at school might help, but school won't get on the bandwagon without a fight from me--which I am capable of doing if need be. Just wondering if any of you would have any suggestions as to maybe "why" he is having this tough time. The only thing I can think of is that there is a new student teacher in his reg ed class...and I don't think he likes her at all. I am not certain, but i just get that feeling...still...my little guy is so unhappy and i have no idea what to do. (Could he be sick?? He has no fever or anything and when asked says he feels ok--but then again, he always says that! He doesn't feel pain, etc.)
EDIT TO ADD: Well, I see many have read but noone has suggestions so thought I would update anyway--I called his developmental ped office and we have an appointment on Monday with her. Hopefully she will have some sort of answer...He finally went to sleep about 9pm tonight--up for a total of 34 hours with about 2 hours sleep...

 

[Joan S.]

Hi, Just wanted to say that you did the best thing ,getting him in to see the pediatrician.Most Moms have a sixth sense and can just feel that something is not right with their child. And sometimes that is all we have to go on. My only thought was that if he is on a daily medication is it possible that it is interferring with his sleeping?? Has his sleep habits chnged at all during the past couple of weeks??(before he stayed up the 34 hours) Sleep deprevation really can show up as all sorts of different symptons. Hopefully when he finaaly slept you slept also!! Joan

 

[3kidsmommy]

He is on Adderrall XR, but has been on the same dosage for over a year...so I doubt that is doing it. He takes Melatonin to help his mind calm down so he can sleep, but nothing else. He did finally sleep, as did I--some. He is just really having a hard time with everything sensory and it doesn't make sense...hopefully we will get some answers on Monday. I just have a nagging feeling that this is just going to be a "down" time for him...we have gotten in ruts like this before and we just have to wait.

 

[4aspies]

We have had these times with our guy too. He has Aspergers and sensory issues. As he proceeded in school, we found his behavior deteriorated as more traditional "school behavior" was required, even with the help of a one on one tutor. We began to work very closely with the school based behavioral psychologist with a special interest in autism to give his day more structure and a visual schedule that he could use to know what was coming next. We built in sensory breaks and also "choice times" when he could select a preferred activity. We discovered that as the school grades progressed, directions were more apt to be given verbally to the whole group, typically functioning kids pick up the verbal and non verbal cues on how to proceed and our guy was left confused and adrift. He was old enough to be frustrated and overwhelmed, but unable to express it except in behavior changes and increased anxiety. Pulling way back, adding structure, one on one tutor support, pull outs for sensory breaks, tutor support at lunch and recess to navigate the social minefields all helped to get us back on track.
Hope your Monday appointment gives you some help, too.

 

[3kidsmommy]

4aspies, THAT is exactly what I am wondering. Chandler is in a combined 1st and 2nd grade mainstream classroom for half of the day. The other half, he is in resource both in small groups and one on one. He has a one on one aide for the times he is in the reg ed classroom. BUT--Chandler can't read or write yet (well, letters like a 3 yo would, but no real words--he can trace over highlighted words), and for him to just sit for all day is killing him I think. His private OT says if the school would put him on a sensory diet, she bets he would be far happier. So far, I haven't gotten the school to comply. I can't wait to see what his dev ped has to say tomorrow. Already, he is acting so much better--he has been out of school for 3 days! I truly believe I can coorelate the decreased anxiety to less school time. I wonder if it is possible to do decreased time in an IEP?

 

[4aspies]

Our guy has done reduced days at school. We hit a major snag when he was half way thru third grade. Everything deteriorated, major meltdowns, etc. School was requiring him to do more of the things that he found so hard, even with a tutor, it was not working. We pulled him back to home, the team met and after a breather, we began again at a different school with teachers and aides more used to working with similar kids. We started slow and added things back in. It is better, not always smooth. Just when you think everything is great, another growth spurt! or some other change that throws off the balance. Lots of meetings with the team, at least every month, daily contact with the teacher and aide. We have considered it a priority to find ways to teach him to read, write, do math, etc not just focus on keeping him in school. For that we have been willing to accept more restrictive settings, when he is out of balance. Overall he has done very much better. He has an IEP we labor over every year to be sure it addresses all the specifics of his needs.

 

[LMC]

Have you tried "brushing therapy"? There is a more technical term for it but I don't remember what it is. The only catch is you have to do it every two hours. I think this may help him. Ask your doctor about it then make sure it gets in his IEP and is done at school.

 

[spotdog]

I just wanted to send pixie dust

I know that lack of sleep can be challenging for anyone.

 

[3kidsmommy]

LMC--yes, we have previously done brushign therapy and I believe it is time to start again. Going to start speaking with his OT about this on Wednesday. Spotdog--thanks for the pixie dust...we could certainly use it. NOW--update--saw the developmental ped at Cincy Children's today...she feels Chandler needs a sensory diet as part of his day and will write a letter stating such. She agrees he has made progress, but when we showed her video of how our past few days were she was so beyond upset at what we suspect to be the problem. So, her advice was to get protection and advocacy on our side and try to once again fight for what he needs. Gotta love this...How long until April 1??? That is when we are WDW bound!