sensory disorder

[newfashionedmum]

I need some advice about DD

first up, DD (7 yrs almost 8) is seemingly 'normal' (whatever that means) to people outside the home - but she has a collection of behaviours that I wonder have some kind of imbablance at their core.

tightly 'binding' herself to relax (eg, will twist her legs round tightly to get to sleep, almost always crosses her legs and twists her arms a bit when sitting in a chair) She was swaddled as a baby, this used to calm her too...

Holding her breath when trying to sleep at night (not to get attention, or for a long time, just each breath longer than it should be and then a loud exhale)

recently phases of swallowing gulps of air and forced belching (charming!!)

She HATES the cinema and is really emotionally sensitive and fearful, gets very panicked at even gentle (U rated) films even when watched at home. Always hated loud echoey paces since a baby.

grinds her teeth at night

insists on blanket on her bed even when its hot - likes heavy things on her legs

phases of waking at 3 or 4 am and not being able to get back to sleep - shes had this for years

she is very anxious also, terrified of being told off especially by other adults.

Uncomfortable with eye contact especially in strong emotional states (apart from laughter!)

she also really struggled with handwriting although has been very 'dextrous' (can thread needles etc) from an early age

I wonder whether she might have a very mild sensory disorder that means she's comforted by physical sensation of pressure on her body - any thoughts?

Could be. My ds whos almost 7 has sensory problems. Needs deep pressure and likes to be held tightly and rub against people, hates heavy things on him though as overheats easily. Whispers and whoops to himself to get to sleep wakes frequently in the night which is starting to cause issues with overtirdness in the day lately. Also very anxious, whimpers when told off (dosnt learn from it though) very afraid of authority of teachers again dosnt learn from it though. Dislikes eye contact especially when upset. motor skills generally fine can write neatly, thread beads, hop, skip and jump but cant catch a ball, ride a bike, do up buttons without looking etc.

I have the out of sync book but tbh didnt find it 'fit' ds despite the above

she could be - DS is actually really well modulated at the moment, but at bedtime, after he has gone to sleep I go in and he has everything piled on top of himself....
can you afford to go to a sensory specialist? It is such a complex area, that even if you couldn't afford ongoing therapy - maybe they could do a plan for you at home.
Also the listening program has really helped DS - it works on the vestibular system.

I have been thinking about giving her a weighted blanket to try - the weight without the heat - but they are so expensive to buy, £100, and we are short of cash as I'm currently a full time student and Dad's wages don't quite cover our expenses. Its a gamble - if it was going to help with her sleep I would buy or even make one but don't want to take the risk.

We don't have money for a private assessment either but I'm guessing she's not so obviously having problems that the NHS would be interested...

PS I think DD is a bit hypermobile too - as I am - she also has flat feet like me and her Dad! we're the orthotic family!

Hi I have seen the weighted blanket fillings on ebay, was thinking of trying one with my Ds.

I have thought about a weighted blanket, but haven't bought one yet. What we have is an oldish cotton super king blanket , that we fold over and over, until it's DS size, - he loves that.
Other thing is I remember someone on here posting how to make one - which involved sewing penny's in pockets all over blanket a or peice of canvas - just need to space them evenly.....do you have access to a sewing machine?

OP your dd sounds just like ds2 (5) - flat feet, sensory issues, and he has poor (non existent) handwriting as he has dyspraxia. He loves loud scary action films like Pirates of the Carribbean, but Ice Age had him blubbing for ages. Some music makes him cry. Lights make him go bonkers. The list goes on.

I found reading up about sensory processing disorder was helpful, and I am also very interested in retained reflexes therapy.

ds sleeps better if he is in a sleeping bag as he likes to be surrounded. We also play a lot of squashing games, or pinning him down with his duvet (also on bed as only thin sleeping bag) to give him the deep pressure he enjoys.

For me to make a weighted blanket, it cost about $15 CAD. I used dried lentils in a box-sewn "pad" made of PUL (the waterproof cloth nappy liner fabric) and then made a couple of different covers for it. That way, if it gets dirty, I slip off the cover and wash it, but the inside pad can just be wiped clean. I have known other families who used dried beans, rice or unpopped popcorn the same way. If you want it washable, you can use the poly pellets that are used in stuffed toys (but they are expensive).

Here, any dry grain/bean will do - I use lentils because they are cheap (about $1 a kilo) and they tend to have a soft texture (not as lumpy as larger beans or corn kernels). While the commercially made ones are nice, I am too cheap to pay someone else to make it. Also, a "snake" of the leg off a pair of thick tights filled with something heavy can be helpful when draped over shoulders or across your DC's lap.

I found 3 different tutorials for making your own weighted blanket here May you can try and make one yourself, or see if someone might be willing to help you out with it. They REALLY can make a big difference, but the prices that some are asking to make them are nuts.

ooh Beemom I like the tights idea, will try that. I suppose I could make a really cheap and cheerful version with lentils, if it works for her upgrade to a washable one. My sewing skills aren't up to much but I have a machine and reckon i could cope with sewing a grid pattern..

Latte i will look at the things you mentioned

thanks all...

Tights, lentils and tied knots will give you a no-sew weighted "shoulder snake" in about 2 minutes - it is a cheap and cheerful way to find out if weight will help - and if you can use a sewing machine, a blanket won't take you more than an evening.

ooh thanks both! I found one of those 'heat packs' stuffed with barley and put it on her legs last night in bed, she liked it a lot. these are both good hints - although I'm so averse to waste I hate even the idea of using lentils - will have to scour the 'out of date' shelves at our grocers for suitable grains!!

update to those who posted here - thanks for your advice! - have just started a new thread on this r more specific advice, but just to say, stompa will lend a blanket for 2 weeks for the cost of the courier (£15) so you can try it out. We are doing and the results are pretty impressive so far. sleeping through for a whole week except the first night and last night (Day 8) - i think other reasons for that though, busy exciting day and 'overtired'!

Sorry I gave the wrong company name!!!
It's Rompa
www.rompa.com/lending-library

Have other stuff too.
Camhs said they think it unlikely we'd get it funded unless she had an ASD diagnosis, she wouldn't meet that threshold. Which is great but shame she might not be able to have one, moneys so tight. Not slept reliably properly for 2 years :-(

Wow - this thread is so helpful for someone to do with my job. Thankyou so much!

I am so happy that you are finding success with it - for some, sewing and making your own things, especially if you are not sure it'll help, can be overwhelming.

It is excellent that Rompa will lend out the blankets, what a fantastic opportunity to "test drive"