Can anyone talk to me about sensory issues and problems with playing.

[Jenkeywoo]

I am once again feeling totally over-whelmed. Dd is 18 months with CP affecting her right side. We saw the physio today and she had invited along a play therapist - I have had slight niggles about dd's playing but didn't know who to talk to. DD doesn't really 'play' as such, will sometimes play with something where she repeatedly puts a ball in a hole etc but doesn't play with normal toddler stuff such a shaking maracas,lift-up puzzles, sand play, imaginative play -like in the play kitchen. She also dislikes touching certain textures and has a very limited diet as she screams if fruit or veg touch her mouth. The play therpist mentioned sensory problems and says she needs a 'sensory assessment'. She also says that dd doesn't know how to play and needs to go right back to basics and learn how to play, even things such as shaking a maraca to a song.

On the one hand I feel pleased that someone has noticed these problems so can start to address them but to be honest I feel floored by it all - we've spent the last 6 months since her diagnosis thinking about and working with motor skills as they seemed to be the most obvious 'symptom' of having cerebral palsy. Now I feel like I have a new world of issues to deal with that I don't really get at all. How can she not know how to play? I must have done something wrong down the line to have an 18 month old who doesn't know how to play.

Oh Jenkeywoo, it's not your fault

I understand that a lot of children with SN don't know how to play - my DD didn't (she has a chromosome disorder and also has sensory issues). Have you had Portage? This is a fabulous home based therapy which basically teahces your child skills through play.

The website is here and can tell you if there is a Portage service in your area. I believe you can refer yourself, otherwise your HV, physio or GP can refer you.

Jenk

I second Sidge. Portage was invaluable to us and we learnt so much about playing with Ds1 in the beginning through Portage. Our Portage worker had the Knack when it came to keeping Ds1's attention and I used to look forward to the hour (usually 2!) a week. She would do lots of sensory play with him using cornflour and water, sand etc. She also incorporated his physio exercists a lot of the time aswell.

I would highly recommend Portage to any family of a sn child.

jenky ds2 has mild CP & asd & is only just discovering independent play, his OT weekly pre school group helped hugely with this.
He has always been unable to make choices for himself & has always coped better with play if there are only a couple of things out.
A too busy environment is just sensory overload for him & is overwhelmed by everything & he just shuts down.

Until recently we would have to select the toys & initiate play & then he would kind of join in but only on his terms if he was comfortable.

It is most definately NOT your fault.

I remember when a doctor told me that he felt my daughters mobility problems were second to her communication problems! I remember thinking, omg - Ive been fighting the wrong battle..... So I understand how youre feeling, but without the motor skills it makes it even harder to play, so all your work has been worthwhile.

My daughter is now 6, and still doesnt enjoy independent play or even know how to play properl. Alot of it is her sensory issues, but you keep going, because the more stimulation they get this will lessen their hypersensitivity to things new etc...

We had a fab portage worker down south, then we moved to Scotland, where only one area has Portage which is a real shame

The sensory assessments my 2 had were based mainly on a questionnaire about their likes and dislikes. There's a lot that can be done to help once you know what the problems are.

My 2 didn't know how to play either, so it's not anything that you've done wrong.

Thank you for all your advice and ideas. I don't feel quite so bowled over now, it's just hard as SN seem to be so multi-layered and just as you think you've got a good grasp of your lo's problems, something new comes along! Good to keep us on our toes I suppose.

We do an OT but I have only seen her once so far so hopefully the play therapist will pass on her concerns and we can get a proper assessment.