sensory processing disorder

[musicinspring1]

My DS is four , just started reception, and has always found some things 'difficult/challenging' but I'm wondering if I'm making too big a leap thinking spd, and maybe he just finds some things harder than others? Just wanted another opinion...

• he dislikes feeling wet. E.g. If he splashes his sleeve with a drop washing his hands the top has to be changed.
  
• he dislikes sticky or messy hands
  
• picky water
  
• he dislikes loud / busy places. E.g. sat under a chair at a church service with hands over his ears as the band was too noisy
  
• holds pencil in his fist
  
• dislikes leaving the house / the thought of new places (but does enjoy it when there)
  

Just wondering really. Thanks in advance.

[musicinspring1]

Bump

[LynetteScavo]

Well it sounds very much like he has sensory processing difficulties. Is he struggling in the school environment? Has his teacher suggested ways he might be able to cope with the day: bells etc?

It's difficult to get a formal diagnosis of spd in the uk ( I tried ).

[Girliefriendlikesflowers]

Yes its sounds like he has some sensory difficulties, if the school has a SENCO could speak with them. My daughter has similar issues esp with having to get changed if water gets on her clothes!

The SENCO maybe able to refer straight to a paediatric OT for assessment.

[musicinspring1]

Thanks both for your responses. He's only been at school a couple of days and mainly seems to be struggling with the lunch hall. It's a small school but they obviously eat all together and he finds it too noisy.
I guess I'm wondering if I approached his teacher with the above what would they do? If a diagnosis is hard then would they put support in without it? I guess I just have to ask. I wondered if I was over reacting but reassuring in a way to feel like I'm right in mentioning it.
Thanks again.

[musicinspring1]

I've thought of a lot more examples but they've become 'normal' to us if that makes sense? Eg. All toothpaste is too 'spicy'.

[Redlocks28]

In my LEA, as a SENCo I wouldn't be able to refer anyone to a paediatric OT-that would have to be done by the GP.

[LynetteScavo]

I would ask the teacher how he is coping generally, and explain he does have a lot of sensory issues at home. Have they made any allowances for him at lunch time?

[musicinspring1]

No I don't think they have. It was our neighbour in an older year that knows him and saw him in the lunch hall and told me about it. I will definitely speak to the teacher on Monday.
Thanks all for your responses.

[FlipFlop78]

My DD6 is exactly the same. I worried how she would cope when she started school and after some googling, I found this; hsperson.com/test/highly-sensitive-child-test/ I answered yes to most of them. It's wonderful to be able to understand her 'funny little ways'! Hope the link works - first time I've tried to post a link

[redcaryellowcar]

I don't know a huge amount about spd but my son has some similarities to yours, it might be worth you reading up on highly sensitive children, as pp suggested. my ds hated the lunch hall but with support and consistency now manages ok. (Just started year one) I find that I have to push fairly hard to be able to support him in new situations but his current school is great (his first one was useless as he 'didn't have a statement' so we moved him) I think you need to find a school that 'gets him' and is willing to make fairly small changes to ensure he can cope. We found/ find visual timetables helpful, minimising levels of stress, so maybe half days for a while if he's struggling to cope. Have the same teacher/ teaching assistant take and sit next to him at lunch, every day and don't, especially in early days, leave his side. Ask school to (if he hates bells) get the teacher on duty to find him a minute or two before the bell goes, warn him and stay with him until it goes. My ds found transitions hard, especially with new people or unexpected events like school photographs and visiting drama teachers for workshops etc?

[rollonthesummer]

Have you read, 'The Out of Sync child' or 'The Out of Sync child has fun'?

Both quite interesting.

[musicinspring1]

Thank you for the responses. I had a read of the link flipflop (it worked! ) and yes, that is DS.
redcaryellowcar a lot of those strategies sound great so I'll have to just go in to school and hope they are adaptable to them or suggest some themselves.
rollonsummer no I haven't but thank you for the suggestions.
I'll update after Monday when I talk to the school.
Thanks again.

[cockadoodledoooo]

Dd1 is currently awaiting a community peadiatrition apt for assessment for spd, she is 4 and in reception. We have waited 2.5 years for this apt.