Sensory overload

[sparrowhouse]

Hi All,

Our 10 year old has been experiencing what we think is sensory overload - this has mainly been at school but also at times at home. I would say this has started after lockdown.

Wondering how many other children have been affected in this way and hoping for any advice - whether this be as an educator (how your school deals with this) or as a parent.

Many thanks

Which senses?
My 10yo developed hearing sensory issues since lockdowns. Obviously its suddenly louder with assembly back on and singing etc.
Now looking into asd for other reasons.
But she already was sensitive to hair brushing and suntan lotion.

If its sudden could it be ocd

I have two, now teens, who suffered with sensory issues in primary school, so not lockdown related.

I would speak to the senco at school to see if you can get any support. Depending on the sensory needs a lot of adjustments can be done.

My daughter wore ear defenders for noise, had movement breaks, not obviously so things like helping the teachers with moving books, holding doors open. She also was able to have a time out card for some quiet time and had a sensory basket with tactile items in like theraputy.

They might support you for a referral to an OT, or you may be able to self refer, this depends on the area.

It seems to be mostly noise related.

We had noticed small things before lockdown but I suppose we put it down to behaviour. Now we're thinking a lot more and wondering if it was something more and just how lockdown has heightened it all.

We have been encouraging ear defenders and breathing techniques, the school supplied someone dealing in low level cbt as they thought it was anxiety (which it is but I think due to overload). We have had quite a lot of informal conversations with the head but not the SENCO - I am annoyed at that and feel that this should have been a suggestion (sensory overload) they came up with....the head has mentioned an assessment for sensory issues but for now we are seeing how it goes with the ear defenders, letting someone know they feel overwhelmed and practising breathing. The school have also suggested a more disciple based approach next term but depending on how things go for the next few weeks/beginning of next term.

Are there any asd signs?
Rigid thinking
Routines?
Stims?
Social issues?

Our school senco was awful always put down to naughty behaviour and sent to other classes. (They do this from reception..)
Its changed this year and bingo all 3 kids are being referred.
However they still thought dd friend was dyspraxic (possibly) but werent going to refer for asd (other professional advised to do so)much
And imo the class teacher doesnt really get itl

I'd get the assessment done, then you have it if you need it. If the SENCO or teacher are good I'd ask if they're seeing any signs of Autism too. It's not unusual for Autistic children and children with sensory processing issues, who have previously managed to cope and mask, to become unstuck at this age. This is due to the increased pressure of more complex and nuanced social relationships and increased complexity of school learning. Eventually the cumulative effect becomes too great for the child to cope any longer and previously internalized struggles become obvious from the outside.

With the lockdown thing - I'm autistic and I really have found the change back into "normal" post lockdown quite hard to adjust to (I thank the inventor of noise cancelling airpods every day).

As for adaptations - DD2 is a very sensory creature - we went for a private OT sensory assessment and school have put as much in place as they could - but we had also moved to a much smaller school as our previous one was shite on SEN in general. She has things like fiddle toys in place, access to movement breaks, if she's struggling processing information in the large classroom then she often works in the library in a smaller group.

Ultimately though it depends on the school and how willing they are to engage with these kind of ideas - if you get a fusty "they just need to try harder" arse one year - you're kind of screwed (which is why we ended up moving school).

It could be lockdown related but there is also a condition called Misophonia that comes on at puberty

Both my DC are diagnosed with it DC1 was so severely affected they had to have an EHCP and be educated from home. DC2 was able to stay in school but had exam adaptations

Both have just finished A levels

Thank you for the responses.

In terms of asd - It hasn't been mentioned in the past but I will ask. I personally don't think so but I honestly couldn't say for sure, perhaps it could be as @LunaAndHerMoonDragons suggested. There is some stimming (rocking whilst going to sleep). We are going to ask to go ahead with the assessment and take it from there.