sensory integration questions and help

[GoofyG]

DD4 went and saw the speech pathologist today. She mentioned that she saw signs of a possible sensory integration issue. She was already refered to a behavorist. So now the speech pathologist said something about an OT seeing her. I know nothing about this, any input.

She also will now be doing speech 3 days a wk, she is really behind for her age

 

[ykmom]

Hi - I have posted on the board before but have 6 year old daughter with speech, gross motor aand sensory intergration issues. She started seeing an OT when she was about 4 and they focused more on the motor skills but suspected there is some sensory issues going on but never did any formal testing. Sensory issues are different for every child. For my DD she needs to almost wind herself up to calm down if that makes any senses. She likes to be squeezed really tight and finds swings really calming. Understanding the sensory issues helps makes sense of behaviour issues if that makes sense. We are still working on figuring it all out. OT can be great at helping figure out what is going on. It's a complicated road but as you learn what to look for alot of the behaviours will start to make sense. I hope that helps a little bit. Let me know if I can answer any other questiosn.

 

[GoofyG]

Hi - I have posted on the board before but have 6 year old daughter with speech, gross motor aand sensory intergration issues. She started seeing an OT when she was about 4 and they focused more on the motor skills but suspected there is some sensory issues going on but never did any formal testing. Sensory issues are different for every child. For my DD she needs to almost wind herself up to calm down if that makes any senses. She likes to be squeezed really tight and finds swings really calming. Understanding the sensory issues helps makes sense of behaviour issues if that makes sense. We are still working on figuring it all out. OT can be great at helping figure out what is going on. It's a complicated road but as you learn what to look for alot of the behaviours will start to make sense. I hope that helps a little bit. Let me know if I can answer any other questiosn.

Thanks, it was a surprise to be told about this. She was being evaluated for speech and they came out saying they thouht she had SI. She is invovled with speech because of a submucous cleft palate that was discovered in Dec 08. She had the palate fixed on March 15, 2010. There is an OT where she will be taking speech. I don't know how they go about testing them.

 

[bookwormde]

While it is clincally defined as sensory intergration disorder it is easier to understand if you just think of it as sensory differentials. Everyone has them at some level but most self adapt and never even know they exist. For those the have a greater differntial these differences need support and accomdations to all these hyper and hypo sensitivities to be intergrated into the satandard societal demands and their own needs for sensory input.

There are 6 major sensory area and all 6 need to have a full audit done.

If your child starts to show any significant societal socal skills delays (which are much harder to pick up in girls due to there natural maternal skills) you should be getting a full evaluation for Aspergers by a major clinical center, since early identificaiton and supports can greatly diminish and challenges and allow the amazing gifts that these kids have to flourish.

bookwormde

 

[ykmom]

For my daughter it was basically a questionnaire that they had us complete and it wasn't really pursued testing wise. They suggested some accomodations that have helped. She just started attendig an OT group at school so I am going to speak with that OT in the next month to see if further testing should be done. It is so hard to decide when to push / advocate and when to just see what happens. However, the one thing I have learned it to ASK alot of questions and make sure you understand what is going on and what things mean and if you don't like the answer or your gut feeling tells you more needs to be done listen to it.

 

[mommatomase]

There are some great books on this subject and I have read them all.

The Out-of-Sync Child - Carol Kranowitz
The Out-of-Sync Chid Has Fun - Carol Kranowitz
The Sensory-Sensitive Child - Karen Smith, PhD and Karen Gouze, PhD
Sensational Kids - Lucy Jane Miller PhD, OTR

And OT that is specifically trained in Sensory Processing needs to evaluate your daughter... not and OT that had a few workshops... someone with extensive training and hopefully they were trained by Lucy Jane Miller.

My son was seen by two OTs that "had taken some workshops" and "knew SPD". He now sees and OT with specific SPD training. What a difference...

My son is sensory defensive with tags, clothing and some foods. He is sensory seeking for deep pressure... he is a huggy kinda guy...

Sensory OT has helped him to swing on a swing, ride his bike, jump on a trampoline... if his feet left the ground he freaked out! He is still not doing rollercoasters or fast moving rides... this too shall come in time...

The wonderful thing about SPD is you get to see the world in a whole new way... and it is a great trip... my Dh and I are enjoying the journey with our cautious kiddo... we have slowed down to enjoy the "little" things that intrege our son.

BTW. he was diagnosed as an Aspie AFTER his diagnosis with SPD...

Enjoy the trip and try to view the world through your daughters eyes... it may surprise you.

Best wishes!!!

 

[tabithakp]

my son has sensory processing disorder and started out with speech therapy as well.

Evan is sensory seeking, we see an OT and it really has helped. reading the out of sync child really help me understand him. Its a stuggle ever day, he tested off the chart for all the senses except socially. Which i believe is the biggest difference between spd and asperg. but someone else may know better????

this board has help me soooo much. its nice to know im not alone, that someone else has also gone thru 10 pairs of socks before finding the ones that felt right!

i wish you luck on your journey, please ask questions someone out here will have an answer!

 

[SueM in MN]

Since this is not specifically about WDW, I am going to move it to the disABILITIES Community Board.

 

[bookwormde]

Mommatomase

Great book recomondations and notes about finding highly qualified clinicians.

bookwormde

 

[ykmom]

I'm curious about the relationship between sensory issues and social skills. As I said DD has not been formally tested and they keep suggesting ADHD as she appears unfocused and figidty. She also ahs poor muscle tone, coordination, and spacital awareness. The faster, bumpier etc the better. Her social skills are also delayed, I believe in part to the speech delay and now I'm wondering if some sensory issues are playing a part there. I'm going to pick up Out of Sync Child to today and have a read. I'm glad I came over to this part of the board. thanks

 

[bookwormde]

Can she focus on area or her interest? If so whe is not classic adhd.

Since you are indicating social skills delay adn EF (Executive function) differential (ADHD) I would strongly suggest that you get a copy of Tony Attwood's "The Complete Guide to Aspergers" (available on Amazon for about $17 and read it asap. It will give you lots of information about sensory, social and EF differential and their interrelationship

bookwormde

 

[tabithakp]

Can she focus on area or her interest? If so whe is not classic adhd.

Since you are indicating social skills delay adn EF (Executive function) differential (ADHD) I would strongly suggest that you get a copy of Tony Attwood's "The Complete Guide to Aspergers" (available on Amazon for about $17 and read it asap. It will give you lots of information about sensory, social and EF differential and their interrelationship

bookwormde

bookwormde is was wondering if the biggest difference between the two is the social aspect? I always questioned my doctor about whether evan was autistic or not but they say he isnt. I just want to be 100% sure he recieved the right diagnoses.

thanks tabitha

 

[a1tinkfans]

While it is clincally defined as sensory intergration disorder it is easier to understand if you just think of it as sensory differentials. Everyone has them at some level but most self adapt and never even know they exist. For those the have a greater differntial these differences need support and accomdations to all these hyper and hypo sensitivities to be intergrated into the satandard societal demands and their own needs for sensory input.

There are 6 major sensory area and all 6 need to have a full audit done.

If your child starts to show any significant societal socal skills delays (which are much harder to pick up in girls due to there natural maternal skills) you should be getting a full evaluation for Aspergers by a major clinical center, since early identificaiton and supports can greatly diminish and challenges and allow the amazing gifts that these kids have to flourish.

bookwormde

when I read original post, I thought AS, I agree with this wholeheartedly. Best of Luck, OP.

 

[bookwormde]

The important thing to remember is that a diagnosis is just a label that makes it easier to get services, all these characteristics are part of the same genetic set, so if social defecits are less in a specific child or that child self adapts with minimal anxiety then you just focus on the other issues. It is about undertanding the special characteritics of the child and helping with the needs and gifts (not all that much different from any NT child just much more intensive and not well understood by society as a whole).

bookwormde

 

[GoofyG]

This has been a busy week for me. My DD4 will be seeing an OT on May 12th. I already filled out the sensory profile for her. There were some things that didn't pertain to her and others that she was 100-75% of the time. I would put her doen as the "sensory seekers". I never thought twice about it, but was amazed at the question of spinning around all the time. She loves to do that. She also is one that if there is a long line, she will start swinging her arms, hanging or climbing onto things, hitting people, or running off, some all at once. She also hangs or taps my arm or leg all the time. I'm goign to go to the library tomorrow or Monday and look for some books to read up on. I'm ready for the 12th to get here. Her pediatrician wanted her to see a behavorist, but now i'm wondering if I should wait and see what we find out at the OT on May 12th.

 

[ykmom]

She sounds so much like my daughter. This week I requested a re-evaluation by the OT who works in her school. Good luck on the 12th and let us know how it goes!

 

[GoofyG]

She sounds so much like my daughter. This week I requested a re-evaluation by the OT who works in her school. Good luck on the 12th and let us know how it goes!

Thanks, I will update if I hear anything new. I was going to see if I could move the her evaluation to an earlier date, don't know till Monday.

 

[mommatomase]

make sure that your OTs know alot about SPD.. I can't stress that enough.

And here is a GREAT website with a questionairre that you may want to print out and take with you...
http://www.sensory-processing-disorder.com/

Good luck and keep us posted!

My DS is both sensory seeking and sensory defensive... life is never dull around here...

 

[snowy76]

Hi all! Thanks for starting this thread... some of you seem to be describing my little boy!

I was wondering: Can anyone point me to a good thread with tips for going to WDW with a kid with sensory issues?

DS4 just started OT at his nursery school - he's a deep pressure kind of kid, a real daredevil... but is also over-sensitive to loud noises, clothing tags, being groomed (hair combed, teeth brushed etc.).

We're planning to go to WDW next year, so we hope he'll have made a lot of progress by then... but I tend to be an overplanner for our trips and I don't want to overwhelm him. We've talked about renting a villa at Windsor Hills or someplace similar to have more space (we have 3 kids) and a more homey place to stay. But as far as the parks, I worry it'll be a disaster.

 

[GoofyG]

Was going to let you know that Araeyah saw the OT today instead. She said she does have some SI, never told me exactly what. She wrote down Vestibular, Mutisensory and Touch. She will see the OT next Monday. I don't know what research to look at. The OT said she will write something up for the pediatrician.