Sensory issues...help...

[katymae]

My dd7 has severe ADHD and a host of other issues. She has some sensory issues which we sought OT for when she was 3-4. Back then she was a sensory-seeker. She still is, but she has also developed a strong aversion to water. She HATES to wash her hands, and she HATES baths and showers. Often it is one of these issues that sends her into her daily meltdown. There are days when she goes with it, but not often. (However, she's happy to go swimming every day of the week!!) Also, she can't stand to brush her teeth -something about the feel of the brush and the taste in her mouth. We've tried with just water but that didn't really make it better.

Does anyone have suggestions for helping her with these things?

Thanks so much!!

 

[shoegirl1020]

Will she let you gently rub her with a super soft washcloth? If so I would carry one with me in case of dirt. If she tolerates that maybe use it to quickly brush her teeth? Otherwise I would just let her, or you, use your finger, if tolerated.

Can you get her into occupational therapy-either through school or home, to work on it? If you find a therapist who works with kids it could make a world of difference-although it takes time. Good luck.

 

[katymae]

Thanks shoegirl1020. I'll try the washcloth idea.

Anyone else have anything to add?

 

[wvdislover]

OT definitely seems the way to go. An OT could help you and her gradually introduce these things back in her life or offer you some alternatives (she can't really go without using water and toothbrushes, can she, even though that sometimes seems a whole lot easier ). My DD9 also has ADHD, sensory integration dysfunction, Asperger's, etc, etc, etc. and we dealt with similar issues for years. Mine didn't like dark or confined spaces, sand or dirt, and still avoids many textures in food and clothes. She also doesn't like loud sounds or bugs. The worst, though, for me was when she would scream and cry in the car every day b/c the sun was shining in her face. Sunglasses didn't always work and we ended up many times covering her up in the car with a blanket, so the sun wouldn't shine in her eyes. Good luck--keep us posted!

 

[Luv Bunnies]

The fact that she loves swimming but refuses to take a bath makes me think the water issue is behavioral rather than sensory. Lots of kids don't like bathing and hand washing because they would rather be doing something else. If she enjoys swimming, she can tolerate a bath without resisting. Maybe you could strike a deal - "if you go in the pool, you have to take a bath afterward; no bath, no pool." She might change her mind in that case.

As for brushing her teeth, that can be a tough one. Textures in the mouth are hard for sensory kids to handle. I would discuss this issue with an OT. Perhaps if she chooses a special toothbrush and toothpaste from the store, she would be more willing. Also, work in very small stages - first she just has to put the brush in her mouth and then she gets to rinse. Then work up to more time. Maybe a sticker chart would motivate her? If she earns a certain number of stickers she gets a reward? I'm just brainstorming here. Hope some of these suggestions are helpful to you.

 

[hookedup]

OT is what I would recommend. Also it may be wise to consult a behavioral specialist.
There are lots of therapy products that can help with the oral issues - and could give recommendations about her water issues too. Make sure that you see an OT who is trained and certified for sensory stuff, very important!
Best wishes with helping your dd.

 

[sPaRkLeSpAz]

Hmm.. What if she took a bath with her bathing suit on? And you could tell her to pretend that she was in the pool. [=. Would that work you think?

 

[my4kids]

The fact that she loves swimming but refuses to take a bath makes me think the water issue is behavioral rather than sensory. Lots of kids don't like bathing and hand washing because they would rather be doing something else. If she enjoys swimming, she can tolerate a bath without resisting. Maybe you could strike a deal - "if you go in the pool, you have to take a bath afterward; no bath, no pool." She might change her mind in that case.

As for brushing her teeth, that can be a tough one. Textures in the mouth are hard for sensory kids to handle. I would discuss this issue with an OT. Perhaps if she chooses a special toothbrush and toothpaste from the store, she would be more willing. Also, work in very small stages - first she just has to put the brush in her mouth and then she gets to rinse. Then work up to more time. Maybe a sticker chart would motivate her? If she earns a certain number of stickers she gets a reward? I'm just brainstorming here. Hope some of these suggestions are helpful to you.

I'm not an expert by any means, but I agree with this, the fact it sounds behavioral rather that sensory. I have worked with kids that had sensory issues and hated the bath, but they also HATED swimming. They just could not stand the water touching them all over. Of course, a couple of these kids had so many sensory issues, that the parents could not even get a bathingsuit on them because THAT didn't feel right, or the tag rubbed.

 

[Schmeck]

Could the bath aversion be a sound issue? Bathtubs tend to have that canyon effect - the tile walls trap in every sound and make it much louder. A pool is usually outside, in the open. Is she sensitive to loud noises?

 

[billwendy]

hi
i am an OT at a children's hospital and work with lots of kids with sensory issues. it does sound like the bathing issue may be due to the sound or smell or may be more of a behavioral thing. if they can tolerate the pool, we have to find out what is it about the pool that they love so much? sometimes sensory kids actually have a difficult time actually verbalizing to you what they feel - is the bath water too cold or hot where as the pool is a more constant temperature? is it that they know when they are going to the pool ahead of time, but they feel bath time is kind of sprung on them? its soooo difficult to tell - kids are soo smart!!!!can bath time be more planned and use some type of chart where they get some type of reward after so many stars (special time with parent, extra pool time etc}?

teeth - ugh - something that has to be done for sure - severe dental problems from lack of brushing turn into a night mare for both parent and child as dental work means pain most of the time...which can lead to feeding problems etc......sooooo - can they tolerate different textures of food in the mouth? how about starting with an infadent brush (looks like a finger with some soft brissles on the tip) and then moving on to a nuk brush (more nubby than brissly) and then to a soft brush with a fun character???? also, believe it or not, some kids have responded well to a quiet battery powered toothbrush cause the vibration of it was very calming to them. i have also met kids who actually needed to practice and be taught how to spit!!! once they are good spitters, then you could start with a teeeeeeeeny drop of a chosen toothpaste and gradually increase the amount...all just ideas....also, maybe attempting some whole body sensory based activities that provide deep pressure (big hugs, carrying laundry, wrapping up in heavy covers) may calm the rest of the body in order to be able to accept the toothbrushing activity,,,,,i know it can be a battle for sure - hopefully if worse comes to worse, maturity and reasoning should kick in eventually and your child wont want to have to have dental issues.....

hopefully you could find an OT who is trained in sensory issues that could do a sensory profile with you and help see specific areas of need and how to perform a sensory diet.....best wishes, i know it can be tough going sometimes!!!

wendy

 

[Becky2005]

I'll give you my 2 cents worth. My 6 year old has an oral aversion to teeth brushing forever, it has been an uphill battle that we STILL struggle with.

The things that have helped me was getting him a spin toothbrush. He still doesn't do too good getting into the back of his mouth but at least he's not screaming/pushing away & basically having me have to do a headlock to get some of his teeth brushed (and that was with JUST WATER!).

I finally found a toothpaste he will tolerate after trying just about everything. It's from breath palette and it's basically SCENTED toothpaste, so you get a bit of flavor but it won't stay in your mouth. They have all sorts of flavors. I picked up Banana, Cola & Chocolate for him. He actually tried all 3 and TOLERATED it. It took a lot of convincing for him to try that first bit of it & I put a miniscule drop on. His brother actually bribed him with saying he would give him a Yu-gi-oh card if he would just try it. He did...and he didn't gag..wasn't fantastic overnight switch but he tolerated it. I will tell you this stuff is EXPENSIVE but it's worth every penny as far as I'm concerned.

It is kind of weird about the swimming vs. bath (mine also has water aversions but he doesn't like swimming either). But you would think mine would have problems with food unless it's something that will stick to your teeth (which is usually sweets anyway & he doesn't like gum), he doesn't seem to have any problems.

 

[andijean]

Here is another idea you can try for the bath. They have those one piece lycra suits that protect from the sun but also cover a lot more body area. It might help get through the initial time in the bath and then work towards taking it off. It could be temp of water or that it is slow immersion. Hard to know with these kids. The other thing a lot of people do for sensory kids is epsom salt baths. They say these help soothe and calm.

As far as the teeth brushing, I know for food aversion and textures in the mouth there was a mouth swipe that you would do b/4 each meal. It helped to desensitize the child to textures. We did this t with our OT. I would think any OT will help guide you through this b/c it is very common with these kids. Hope this helps. We have all been there and sometimes it takes time, but it does get better.

 

[Goofyluver]

My son has several needs, including sensory integration dysfunction. He also has an aversion to teeth brushing, although not as severe anymore. What finally helped is a quiet motorized toothbrush. And, a strong cinnamon toothpaste. It gives his mouth a lot of input, versus those bubblegum flavored toothpastes which always made him gag.

My son also has a big aversion to the water. But, he is opposite of your daugher, loves the bath, hates the pool. I would try giving your child a lot of input before it's time to bathe to regulate her system. Try some heavy work activities, like jumping, stomping and "squashing the bugs", bouncing, carrying something heavy, etc.

It all works out in the end! I promise!

 

[MommytoMJM]

No Clue, my daughter is very much the same. We've had to resort to the ahmpoo and bath stuff that the astornauts use, otherwise we'd have to medicate her into oblivion to bathe her. Just wanted to send hugs, I had never heard of another kid who was like this...

 

[katymae]

Hi everyone! Thanks so much for all your great ideas!! Just wanted to check in with an update. School is going much better, therefore she is much more willing to take risks at home.

We made a breakthrough in the bath that I wanted to share. I bought these Huggies Clean Team Bath Mitts and she loves them! They have "letter characters" on them and she has turned that into a whole imaginary group of friends who are in the bath to help her. At first we used the mitt to bathe her, but now she'll put it on her own hand and bathe herself. But in her mind, it's "Daphne" bathing her, so she's off the hook. I don't know why that made such a difference to her, but it did! Yeah!!!

Have a happy Thanksgiving, everyone!!

 

[wvdislover]

Yeah!!! How exciting! Breakthroughs are always a great thing! Happy Thanksgiving!

 

[SueM in MN]

it's interesting sometimes what a tiny thing can make a big difference.

 

[my4kids]

it's interesting sometimes what a tiny thing can make a big difference.

Uh huh. I think the most important thing is to not let issues like these take on a life of their own....if you are calm and don't make a big issue of it for the kid, they usually work through it on their own.