sensory issues please help!!

Giuliana - posted on 10/20/2012

hi,



Do you have any sensory therapist working with you? My son is 3 and a half and has sensory processing disorder but I remember he used to put everything and I mean everything in his mouth because of the sensation, but eventually it stop, I got the advise of a teacher of strong start to wipe him out like inside the mouth..I was scare of the germs..and he eventually stop.

Remember they are kids and they usually do thing to grab someone's attention...what do you do when he does this things? maybe you are giving him the wrong attention, they said encourage the good attention, and ignore the bad one.

maybe he needs more outside activities, take him to the park, to run, climb..wore him out.

Maybe he is anxious...



Hopefully

Rachael - posted on 10/17/2012

My son is 9 and still has those texture problems with foods. I just keep introducing the same foods over and over until he at least tries them. If he doesn't like it at that point then I praise him for trying and move on to other foods. Of course he has a few select foods that he asks for constantly, but I've come to find out these "comfort" foods of his act like a euphoric high on his brain. Unfortunately, gluten seems to be the main culprit. Because the CF/GF diet can be rather expensive (mainly because almost everything on it has to be homemade with special ingredients), many of us can't afford to go that route. All I can suggest is trying the food reintroduction process and also try to monitor how much gluten especially is in his diet. Good luck and I hope I was able to help you.

Angel - posted on 10/17/2012

My son has texture problems i cannot get him to eat fruits or veggies or anything slimy ie jello i try and give him foods / drinks that have the fruits & veggies in them but i still feel like he's lacking he's become such a picky eatier does anyone have any suggestions on how to get him to try new foods?

Marnie - posted on 03/03/2011

HI my daughter is 21, she has had sensory issues since she was born. These issues will never dissapear although as your child ages they will learn to develope ways to stimulate themsleves without being so out there with things that others may notice. With lots of OT help you will make it through. Im still looking for OT help for my daughter now that shes out of school as these things seem to dissapear after they turn 18 and graduate:( I found chewing gum was majorly helpfull for her and still is. Also the OT told us to get her a trampoline and she still uses it. Brushing was also introduced when she was young and that helped while she was starting to get used to using her hands more in school ect. We tried a weighted vest at one point as well because she used to fill her pant pockets and her jacket pockets with rocks. She dosnt use one now though. Also Massaging of the feet and hands before bed and when things seemed a bit out of control for her was helpfull. Music still works for her too. Good Luck and I hope you get the help you need:)

Anna - posted on 03/03/2011

My daughter has similar issues but is also oral defensive...I know crazy! Will gag on an apple but loves to lick the car door!! Life is crazy. Anyway, things we have done that help are trampoline, weighted blanket, brushing her body with a soft plastic brush (very soft), large plastic bin filled with rice that they can get in and play with (may be resistant at first), a vibrating massager (she hated at first now loves it on her back), baby teethers (she does chew through them eventually but it helped cut down on the teeth grinding more than anything else). Hope this helps...you're not alone!!

Jodi - posted on 03/02/2011

Okay yeah see that's why I come here. I came to help answer and got answers myself LOL. I had no idea they needed to be grounded. I am learned things every day. My son jumped from sofa to sofa, jumps and spins constantly, jumps off the stairs which is amazing because he has mild CP so his legs sometimes buckle though that doesn't seem to stop him. He's also up and down at night sometimes and chews constantly, I really honestly just thought he liked gum. He asks for gum daily, I have packs and packs for him. He chews then spits it out no more flavor he says need another one.

Thanks for alll these tips and letting others like me and the mom asking questions that this can be normal and not regression.

Shonda - posted on 03/02/2011

my son with his delays since OT & ST, has done like 180! he is improving in fine motor skills, & all the things he was delayed in he is getting better, Of course we still have the REALLY trying days but its getting better.

Michelle - posted on 03/02/2011

First thing is First. Do you have a OT? If not get one. I know exactly what you are going through my son has chewed on and up so many things. (remotes, playdough,anything plastic,) Get yourself a trampoline that has done my son a complete 360 degrees and if have access to a horse take him horse back riding cause the two of these things are doing the same up and down motion that helps children get more grounded. The chewing on everything is a fidget. It's how they release there stress. If you have a trampoline where your child can access it especially before they have to do many demands you ask of them they will be much more calmier than without. I also use a tub with beans and rice because my son likes textures of things. And the tub is big enought for him to sit in it or stand in it or just put his hand in it. Yoga balls also works with my son just laying him on it and slowly rocking him back in forth seems to help. And chew toys that my son uses that work really well are called P's and Q's I also use A product called Chewlry. He doesn't chew on these things as much only on long weeks or days of rain when we can't access the trampoline. well I hope this helps you and I hope you have the best of luck.

Shonda - posted on 03/01/2011

Its funny you talk bout the head stands on the sofa, lol my 3yr old with sensory issues too has to jump, climb, jump off of my furnature, he also has an oral fixation, for the furnature we are getting him a trampoline & weighted vest to keep him grounded, he gets gum EVERYDAY because he has to put things in his mouth. I don't think it is regression, but as they get older they need NEW sensory stimulation, my son has just recently started flapping his hands. He also gets a weighted blanket at night because if not he is like all over the place up down all around then is really tired the next day which generally means more meltdowns to deal with. Try a weighted vest, it seems like there are vestibular issues (headstands) this will keep his brain "grounded" & not feeling like he is just floating out in no mans land... but just remember just because they start seeking different ways of stimulation doesn't mean regression. I got scared myself & asked my son's OT, she said it is normal, after one thing doesn't seem to stimulate like it did before he will find something else to do to fullfill the sensory input.

Laura - posted on 03/01/2011

sensory integration therapy will be your best bet, my son had the same issues, including sound sensibility and oral fixation (chewed from his lower lip to his t-shirts, etc.) with the therapies and weighted vests his anxieties calmed down.

Bettie - posted on 02/28/2011

if you dont already i would get your child into occupational therapy they do things there that would help with sensory as well as help you by giving yall things to try. I dont know about the chin thing cause my son still dose that (he's 5) but i would suggest the chew stixs because they work for my son most of the time and he has stopped grinding his teeth. also try some deep pressure exercises or get a small trampoline and see if your child would like jumping instead of head standing.