Success stories - Sensory Integration Dysfunction

[katendmom]

My son (20 months) has just been diagnosed with a sensory integration dysfunction. He still doesn't talk, has food aversions, doesn't really follow verbal commands, gets upset easily... the usual.

I have been reading up a storm the last few weeks... And now I'm ready for shining success stories.

Those of you who have kids with SID or those of you who have SID but lead a very "usual" and "successful" life - do share! I'm ready for good news

My son is already seeing an OT and going through sensory integration therapy but I guess it takes a while to show differences.

Thanks - feel free to pile up!

Nobody? Really? No successes to share? I find it heard to believe

I had discussions about this condition when DS was younger but no-one was keen to DX this, but he has accepted/coped with many of his issues - noise, food, touch, texture etc

Not completey gone but much better (he is now 38mths)I was even able to cut his hair when he was 28 months old - it was halfway down his back! Before that we couldn't even touch his head to brush it.

The main change for us was having a fab Portage worker who taught us both Makaton - and taught him how to play - these have been essential in his progress. He still doesn't speak much but has learned to communicate which has helped his understanding, therefore the world is not such a confusing place.

Good luck for you both.

My 2 boys have sensory integration difficulties as part of their autism. It's hard to separate which bits are the ASD and which are sensory-related but ds1 in particular has come a long way. He was fairly similar to your ds at that age. He didn't babble or talk. He blocked out most sounds, including voices, because of his hypersensitive hearing. This meant that he didn't hear/understand language. He also had hypersensitive hands, which in turn affected his fine motor skills. Even at 3.5yrs they were at an 18mths old level. His eyesight was also very sensitive, which made certain types of lighting a big problem. His hypersensitive mouth meant his diet was limited and teethbrushing was a nightmare. He was also very jittery, which I was told was because he was seeking sensory input through his feet so much.

He had some help with desensitising his hands while still at pre-school. His mainstream primary school also gave/gives regular help with sensory integration.

He's now 7yrs old. Despite not really talking until around 3yrs old, by 6yrs old he was assessed as being ahead of his age for language skills. The sensory integration help at school meant that his jitteriness disappeared in just a couple of months. This in turn helped his concentration. He still has difficulties with fine motor skills but can now write. His range of food has increased to the extent that he is able to eat school dinners when he wants to. His teeth are still a bit of a nightmare but he has now reached the point where I feel confident enough to take him to the dentist. His hearing is still sensitive but he is much better at filtering out sounds without filtering out everything. He's doing very well at school.

These are such AWESOME stories, moms!!! Keep them coming I am sure you, as I do, read lots of things about what our kids cannot do, will never do, etc. I think it is time to start telling the world what they can do and do with help from their families and schools I am starting to hear more and more how chilren with similar condition to ours actually do better in some aspects than other kids - coppertop your little sunshine is a great example of that!

{{{Big hugs to your families from our}}}

I have a 4 yr old with daughter who has SID who has been taken by aliens and replaced with another child since starting sensory therapy in June. We are going for therapy today, will post later and post story. Just out of interest do u get therapy on NHS.

Hi emandjules ~ your post made me laugh We're (my son and my family) are in USA but we just started occupational therapy that is based on sensory integration. I have to say that after about 2 sessions we can already spot a difference (or maybe we just want to believe it so much )

Please post your success story and also any techniques that your therapist and you find working the best for your little princess. I'm curious if that might also help my son. He is 20 months and primarily we've been doing the "brushing" technique, joint compressions and massages. What about you?