My 8 yr old DS is awaiting assessment for ASD but the assessment process is on hold in our county while they make changes. He was referred for assessment 18 months ago and we're still waiting to get on the waiting list.
DS mainly has sensory symptoms and I suspect sensory processing disorder. He has recently developed an extreme aversion to certain types of paper. He always had a reaction to rough paper, the type you get in chapter books, but it's become worse over the last 6 months. He really enjoys reading, but now feels like he can't touch a book or turn the pages unless it's smooth paper. He gets so distressed by this he cries, because he wants to read certain books but can't. He's also sensitive to the sound of the pages turning and fingers scrapping the pages.
How can I help him? I don't see this as something he can simply avoid. He's going to miss out on so much if we just move to audio books. I don't want him using a device to read ebooks at bedtime.
Is there some kind of therapy I can ask for/save up for, to help him overcome this? Like getting over a fear of flying type thing. TIA