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Sensory seeking?

Pamela - posted on 09/19/2010 ( 5 moms have responded )

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Hello My 2.5 year old has a severe language and comprehension delay and everyone has also been talking about him being sensory seeking. Im going to book him in to have a full assessment with an OT about this soon. Just wondering is this a form of ADHD Im a bit confused by it all I understand he needs more input of sensations to feel satisfied. what solutions can we use..

a bit about Cameron
He focus on one thing for a long time ( puzzles cars trains), He is not fussed about shoes and clothes he is a good eater and sleeper he is hard to toilet train. He is super active but not to the point of being naughty in fact the more active he is the better behaved he tends to be .. if I could leave him playing in the playground all day he would be a model child heehee. He loves music and sings and does actions to all the songs but when it comes to mat time with others its seems he gets so excited he doesn't want to be there. When he turned two we got him a roary trike he loves it so much he wouldn't go near it, it was like it was way to exciting for him to deal with.

He isn't great socially he tends to play with other kids but in his own way as he doesn't seem to understand them. If friends come over he gets very excited but then will go inside and play on his own.

Thanks is advance
Pamela

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Dori - posted on 09/21/2010

No, it's not the same as ADHD. My son has the same, a sensory seeker (hypo vestibular). His sensory needs to be met before the brain will kick into gear. Literally will not hear you if over-stimulated or seeking stimulation. Ask your OT about the "Alert Program: How does your engine run?" program. (www.alertprogram.com). My son has learned to identify his engine (and others) and the OT has given him tools to bring it down when high. He actually wears ankle weights in school. Usually in the afternoon, after recess. It grounds and calms him. There are plenty of other things they can do, too. Also try the RDI program, if he's in the high functioning area of the spectrum. You'll be amazed at how much he'll change, in a short time. (www.rdiconnect.com). Best of Luck.

Sarah - posted on 09/21/2010

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there is nothing wrong with being sensory seeking...it is really just a personality quirk until it becomes a problem. What helped me the most with my boys is a book called "the out of sync child" by Carol Stock Kranowitz. She lays things out in a way that a parent can understand...she also lays out *why* a child will behave a certain way because of their sensory issue. In the companion book "the out of sync child has fun" she suggests activities to fulfill the sensory needs a child might have.

Pamela - posted on 09/20/2010

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thanks for your posts he has been seen by a specialist pediatrician as well as a team of specialist and they have said he does not have asperges or autism and said with his speech the rest will follow. I agree with you both and think 20 or 30 years ago I don't think people would have blink twice at him people would have just said he is very energetic, adventures, creative and not very good at expressing himself or talking. apparently my brother was the same and he is now a quite but fine funny and great adult husband and father. I'm really hoping this is nothing and keep reminding myself he is only 2.5 I think if he was displaying these traits at 3.5 or 4 then we would have a much bigger problem I guess I just want to find out so I can help him if he does need help.

Martha - posted on 09/20/2010

I have three grown kids They ALL matured at THEIR own rate...Maybe its just HIS personality My middle son was (and still is the LONER of my clan My oldest VERY outgoing...never met a stranger and is STILL that way Sometimes we as parents just gotta let em BE THEMSELVES..and dont worry about what others say or expect him to do or "be like"

Zenzele - posted on 09/20/2010

Hi -- Honestly this could be a few things. Assuming his speech is at the appropriate age level it could be Aspergers. It could also be Sensory Integration Disorder.
The first thing I would do is have him evaluated by a psychologist or psychiatrist (who diagnoses all these type of disorders) so that you can get an accurate picture of what your dealing with. An OT will only evaluate then refer you to a psych. So why not cut out the middle man. I'm sure your county has an agency that handles persons with disabilities to test for disorders. You can go to your county website and go from there. But no, in my opinion it does not sound like ADHD. Also, lets not rule out that he simply could be going through something of his own and it not be a disorder at all. We mothers know how funny our kids can be =)