In thinking ds may have some sensory issues?

[imtherealbummymummyotherisfake]

Dh, mil and all of my family are very poo poo and old school about the whole thing. Ranging from "don't think it's an issue and he'll grow out of it if it is" (dh) to "he just needs a good smack" (some of my family).

Ds is almost 4. He's always been funny about clothes. Doesn't like to wear anything around his neck, wear anything on his feet etc. I know these are common so that didn't raise any questions with me.

He's also actually minorly allergic to clothing (I buy mostly light coloured clothes) and any kind of tags. Nothing major, he gets light eczema and sores.

He's weird about food. Won't eat most things as he says they 'feel funny'. Won't eat chicken or any meat, just fish. Says certain things are 'stringy' and nasty and retches if he takes a bite. This also I feel can be a toddler/young kid phase.

But now he's started going bananas about hair. If the tiniest hair is on him or his toys he flips out.

The other things didn't make me too concerned but added with this I'm thinking maybe he has something going on.

For anyone that has experienced similar is there anything that actually gets done if it's deemed as an issue?

Whisking him off to a doctor is expensive as I'm not in the UK but will if it is a problem obviously. And wondering if it's the kind of thing that is helped if treated earlier.

Or am I worrying about nothing?

[DamsonGin]

Have you looked up Sensory Process Disorder? Even if he doesn't have that you might be able to find some useful ideas to help him.

[DamsonGin]

*Processing

[imtherealbummymummyotherisfake]

I'm in tears reading the checklists for this. Ds shows a few of the symptoms but for the adults ones I show every single symptom. I'm in shock.

I also had pretty much every single one of the kids ones when I was younger.

[shouldwestayorshouldwego]

Dd was like this although she also has Irlens syndrome and the glasses for that really help her. Her sensory issues are much better now, although still a few minor issues. She is 10 now.

[TheHungryDonkey]

He probably won’t grow out of it. I didn’t and I don’t expect my two to do so either. Both have mine have seen an OT and had intervention as part of a wider diagnosis.

I think with sensory processing difficulties it’s just about staying comfortable and managing it. If it’s problematic ask the GP for a referral to an OT assessment. Your biggest challenge will be your family’s attitudes. My mum’s the same. Oh she’s being controlling and manipulate. No mum, she just finds the label in the back of the top feels like barbed wire. Tedious.

[DamsonGin]

Thing is though, even though he probably won't grow out of it, recognising it and knowing where to go for ideas/ help is almost half the battle. DS has some sensory issues but understanding it and having strategies in place has made life so much easier for all of us. If you're recognising a lot of it in yourself, you'll probably be in a good place to emphasise and help him (and yourself).

[shouldwestayorshouldwego]

Yes to be fair some of it is just managing and avoiding situations. Having said that She used a hand dryer yesterday which she would never have done a few years ago. She would have run out of the room.

[imtherealbummymummyotherisfake]

Thanks for your replies. Oh god the hand driers and toilet flushes terrify him!

The worst for me with family and friends is food. They get so angry with him 'being fussy'. I put my foot down as I remember being force fed food and sitting at the dinner table for hours crying because I literally couldn't touch cooked carrots. Still can't.

I remember school dinners being a nightmare. I'd sit through the whole of lunch playtime crying. Once a particularly awful dinner lady told me I'd get smacked if I didn't eat my carrots. I ate a mouthful and threw it back up. Got smacked anyway.

It breaks my heart when ds gets yelled at for 'being fussy' when he's constantly re-trying things to see if he'll like them now. So I know it's 100% not a case of him being fussy at all. He gags on it just like I used to.

Both me and him have REALLY strong gag reflexes too. Dh has to poo upstairs .

Even if I tell them he may have a real issue they'll all see it as bullshit New fangled excuses.

Luckily I live a plane ride away from my family, and they are the worst culprits.

Now I'm feeling shit that this is somehow something he's learned from me. Although I've always been really really careful (I thought) to hide anything like that from him.

[DamsonGin]

I don't think its learned, I think its inherited. DS2 has learned some of the responses that DS1 has to food but on his own will try new things and eat a lot more readily. They are very different boys from the same upbringing. So don't beat yourself up!

And thinking about it, he's able to stay in a room now with a hand drier on, which he would have covered his ears and fled for in years past.

[DamsonGin]

Sorry of that's not clear, we can tell its learned behaviour with DS2 but the food sensitivity (and noise and smell) are very much a natural part of DS1.

[DamsonGin]

And to add, there can also be a guilt around your DC inheriting traits or sensitivities from you as a parent, don't fall into that as its not your fault or intent.