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SN children

The out of sync child help please

12 replies

claw3 · 19/09/2009 01:09

Does anyone have a copy, i have just moved house and cant find my copy.

I would like to use a quote from the book in some documents im urgently preparing and i dont have time to order another copy, as paper work has to be sent.

I can remember how the quote starts can anyone finish it off for me please and the explaination it gives?

'Your child yanks the cats tail, the cat hisses, arches it back and spits...................................

Thanks in advance.

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starfish71 · 19/09/2009 09:05

Hello claw3 - have found the quote in book -

Your child yanks the cat's tail and the cat hisses, arches its back and spits. Normally, through experience a child will learn not to repeat such a scary experience. He learns to be cautious. In the future his behaviour will be more adaptive. The child with SPD however, may have difficulty "reading cues" verbal or non verbal from the envionment. He may not decode the auditory message of the cat's hostile hissing, the visual message of the cat's arched back or the tactile message of spit on his cheek. He misses the 'big picture' and may not learn appropriate caution. Or the child can read the cat's reaction but is unable to change his behavioue and stop himself. he receives the sensory information but can't organize it to respond efficiently. Or the child sometimes can take in sensations, organize them and respond appropriately - but not today. This may be one of his "off days".

Hope this is ok - let me know if i can look anything else up.

Am new to mumsnet and just starting the process of assessement for my youngest DS.

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claw3 · 19/09/2009 10:54

Starfish - Thank you very much, you are a life saver!

Im preparing paper work for a DLA tribunal and im trying to explain why a child with SPD, of apparent normal intelligence acts the way he does and has often conflicting behaviour, that sums it up so well.

Ive been on MN for about 3 years now, it is a mine of useful information, i have found the experiences and advice much more helpful, than a lot of the 'experts' knowledge.

Im assuming your son has sensory issues too, if you are reading this book?

Im happy to return the favour whenever i can

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chocoholic · 22/09/2009 08:43

Hello,
I've been here ages but don't post often now.
Have just had my DS assessed at pre-school and it seems he has sensory issues (when you know what you are looking for it seems so obvious doesn't it!) so we are just starting out too.

How far along the process are you starfish? Claw, I'm assuming you have a child with SI too?

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starfish71 · 22/09/2009 09:53

hi chocoholic - its still very early days for me and my ds2. The ASD outreach teacher is going in to observe hinm in class middle of next month and then hopefully the EP will assess him in november. We have had imput from the OT at the children's centre since Jan as i thought initially ds2 had dyspraxia like my ds1. Some different problems have been observed now and it is all very upsetting and confusing. My ds def has sensory issues and the book is very good and I do understand him and certain behaviour better but it is hard and the waiting for the experts to come in is hard too. It is good that they have been and assessed at nursery with you. Good they were on the ball.

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claw3 · 22/09/2009 10:21

Morning Chocoholic and Starfish

Yes Chocoholic its like a light bulb moment isnt it!

My ds 5 has been 'diagnosed' with sensory modulation disorder (its not a diagnosis in the UK but it is in the USA). I suspect he has something else going on too, as he has a whole lot of other problems.

He has been seeing Paeds, SALT, dietician etc since he was 2. But the official dx process ie multi-discliplinary assessment, got underway yesterday, so still a long way to go i suspect.

Starfish - Ive been finding it quite upsetting recently too.

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chocoholic · 22/09/2009 18:52

Do your ds's have terribly sad days when they are permanently unhappy but don't know why?

I'm not sure if it is all part of the Sensory issues but my DS does every couple of weeks or so and I have not ideas how to calm him. He is only 3 and to see him so unhappy breaks my heart.

I'm so glad the pre-school are so good. To be told that there was a reason for some of his "unusual" behavior really helped me after struggling on my own knowing he wasn't quite like the others. Who knows where we go from here though!!

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starfish71 · 22/09/2009 19:24

evening claw and chocoholic - hope you both ok.

My ds (5.9) does start to cry sometimes but doesn't know why - it doesn't last long with him and although his speech has come a long way he can still struggle when asked questions and seems to find it hard to 'find' the right words. It could be my ds just gets frustrated with not being able to explain himself as he wants to.
He seems so young for his age compared to alot of his classmates and is struggling with the basics but hopefully now we are 'in the system' things will improve. I have noticed since he started back at school that he does seem to be getting a bit more support - this could be to do with ASD assessement coming up and EP due to go in in Nov but I could be cynical!!

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chocoholic · 22/09/2009 21:06

I'm glad your DS is getting some support from the school, what form is it taking? Hopefully it will only get better from his assessment.
It worries me about when my DS goes next year. He is just so bad at doing anything sitting down and structured.

Am now filling my house with sensory things so have a wobble board arriving tomorrow and numerous fiddle toys strewn about the place. Anything worked well in your houses?

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starfish71 · 23/09/2009 05:57

Hello good morning - can't sleep (again!) ds is getting a bit more support as in teacher is aware of his main interests now (dinosaurs and transformers!) and in order to engage him in a task will chat about these and try to get him to do a bit of work. Seems to be working a bit. There is also a support teacher who 'floats' around the infants and helps children who are struggling and helps with reading and writing. My ds has difficulty with both and I must admit that his concentration is slowly increasing but is still very behind in what is expected of him. I have bought theraputic putty for him and my ds1 and it is very good for their hands and fun too! I bought some very early work books which just get them to trace a line etc and he will now do a couple of pages with me in evening which is a huge step forward. Have noticed he doesn't 'give up' as easily and though still hard on himself sometimes and says 'i can't do it' and crying he is (with lots of praise) at least having a try of more things. Oh dear sorry have rambled on - does feel better to write things done though!

A friend of mine said to me yesterday - you know I think the world of your ds but he still seems like a toddler and too young to be in school. and i know actually what she meant...she does know about ds's difficulties and is supportive but hard to hear.

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claw3 · 23/09/2009 10:03

Hi again Chocoholic - Ds does have sad days, but its usually something has happened and he cant put it into words, rather than for no reason iyswim.

My ds is very active, we dont have any sensory toys as such, although we do have a sandpit (he wont touch it) and a trampoline which he loves. In our house is more a case of trying to calm ds down, so big hugs, deep pressure and rocking he finds very calming.

I was also of thinking of some weighted blankets, even though he wouldnt sleep with one over him. Every morning he has a blanket over him on the settee and we have to drive to school with a blanket over his head. I think this is his way of trying to calm himself for the day ahead.

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NaccetyMac · 23/09/2009 12:40

Hi, my DS1 has sensory processing "issues," he has come on in leaps and bounds recently, his speech is improving and he is choosing to play with other children, which is as he didn't used to even notice them.

I am restarting the process as we have moved areas, so back to stage 1, but I am not convinced I want a dx - if we can manage without one (obviously we need understanding teachers!)

Have any of you noticed that SI explains your OWN issues?

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claw3 · 24/09/2009 07:56

Morning NM - I feel the same, im not concerned with the label, i just want his needs met. Unfortunately there are still lots of people and teachers and even GP's, with the attitude if you cant see it, it doesnt exist.

My GP being one of them 'dont worry, im sure he will grow out of it'!

The school 'dont worry, he will learn to do these things'!

Children shouldnt need a label, but in order to get the help they need, it is useful.

Sorry im not sure what you mean by SI explains your OWN issues?