Sensory Integration disorder: any experiences??

[MKG]

My 17 month old nephew was just diagnosed with SID. My sister is having a hard time understanding what it is in simple terms and if anyone has any experiences they could share so I could send her this thread it would be really appreciated.

Thanks

[coppertop]

My two boys have sensory integration difficulties as part of their autism. Some of their senses are hypersensitive and others are hyposensitive. It affects them in different ways so obviously my examples won't necessarily apply to your nephew.

Hearing - Both boys have very sensitive hearing and so everything sounds louder to them than to other people. They also have difficulties with certain pitches, eg as toddlers they hated it when women sang but didn't mind men's voices as they were deeper. It also meant that as toddlers they had trouble filtering out voices from the rest of the noises around them and so didn't/don't always realise when someone is speaking to them.

Touch - Ds2's body is very sensitive and he has always found it difficult to tolerate wearing clothes. Ds1 is almost the opposite as he feels very little except for his hands and his head. Those two areas are very sensitive for him and it has taken a lot of work for him to be able to use his hands.

Vision - Both have problems with certain types of lighting as it seems to flicker, which they both find irritating. They also seem to be able to see things in much greater detail than other people can.

Both also have very sensitive mouths. This means that they find certain tastes and textures very difficult to tolerate. Brushing their teeth can be painful too.

Both boys have made good progress over the years with sensory integration exercises. There is a lot that can be done to help. Has your sister been given any advice or information about what is likely to happen next?

[Theclosetpagansbesom]

My 4 year old was diagnosed with this 10 months ago. His major problems are an immature pen grip (still holds a pen with his palm). He cannot tolerate loud noises (like coppertops's boys by the sound of it).

He also finds it hard in new situations - lots of new stimuli send his brain into overload - shopping is a nightmare sometimes.

There are a few co-ordination problems but not too many thank goodness.

He's waiting to see an Occupational Therapist at the moment and his school (he started in September) are doing things with him too.

[Pollyanna]

my ds also has this - like others, he is very sensitive to noises, light and different materials/fabrics. He gets overexcited very easily (shopping centres, playgrounds) and also doesn't like different textures in his mouth.
He also has various coordination/behaviour problems, but he is dyspraxic too.

[katendmom]

my 20 mnth old son has it too and our OT gave me a great book (I'm at work right now so don't remember the exact title, the book is at home) - it is great. It helps to break it down for parents, explaints it and also explains the basics of the sensory integration therapy.

[katendmom]

Just went on amazon.com?tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21 and found it!

The Everything Parent's Guide to Sensory Integration Disorder: Get the Right Diagnosis, Understand Treatments, And Advocate for Your Child (Everything: Parenting and Family) (Paperback)
by Terri Mauro (Author), Sharon A. Cermak (Technical Editor)

[MKG]

I just wanted to thank everyone for their responses. My sister said that he is going to meet with an OT and they are hopeful that he will be able to learn effective coping strategies. Up until now he's spent his entire life screaming, so my sister is just happy to know what is wrong with him, and that there is a solution.