How does an occupational therapist diagnose problems with sensory stuff?

[spacegirl]

I know you guys must be more clued up than me. Had initial assessment with DS2 (3.9) and we have to go back for more and she was talking about swings.....?

My son's OT diagnosed 'sensory defensiveness' after results of a sensory questionnaire, filled out by me, reading questionnaire from school and after assessment.

At least yours is talking about doing something about it - my son's OT also found him to be on the 2nd centile for motor skills, so son gets 45 minutes direct therapy for that per week, but when I asked at Annual Review what could be done about sensory issues, he said 'erm...nothing really'. Great.

Thanks for replying. I think my DS might be the opposite. His motor skills are fine - that bit was in the good news section for me. Always proceeded by the not so good stuff but at least they have made some practical suggestions for hair washing and dressing etc.. And we are going to do some direct therapy on techniques.

It was his spinning and need for crazy high impact touch and activities that had the swing thing mentioned amongst other sensory type stuff. But she said it could be related to his asd (if dx). Can they dx?

Like your name! I can relate.

The OT can't give a dx. Your ds2 sounds similar to my ds2 (4yrs). No problems with motor skills but always has to be on the go and preferably as dangerous as possible. Ds2 likes lots of firm squeezing and to launch himself on to things.

The OT did as Givemesleep describes. She watched him moving around and went through a questionnaire with me.

I meant the OT can't dx ASD.

Thanks! Please let me know about the sort of stuff the OT recommends, cos I know my OT is wrong that nothing can help, am guessing it's to do with resources, but need the evidence that other OTs can do something so why not him?????

I think we are the lucky ones as I know some people can't even get an assessment for years

There are lots of things that can help IME. One of the best things we ever got was one of those mini-trampolines with a handle on it. Ds2 spends a lot of time bouncing up and down on it and it seems to really calm him down. it also gives him a lot of sensory input through his feet. Ds2 also enjoys being squashed between two big cushions. It helps to give him the kind of sensory input that he used to get from throwing himself against things but without all the bruises. Some people also used weighted blankets to get the same effect.

The OT also gave us this book on sensory stuff which has a lot of useful practical suggestions in it.

Im not an OT, but I work with some. Some OTs have done a course on Sensory Integration. There are variations on this, but there is one main one which you have to have a qualification in inorder to treat.

Givemesleep, there may not be any oTs in your area who have the qualifications.

Basically, children with sensory integration difficulties (and that often includes those with ASD) will have higher or lower thresholds to sensory input. This can make them oversensitive (eg hyperacusis where sounds seem too loud and intrusive, affecting concentration) or undersensitive and craving sensations, eg ASD children who love spinning.

An experienced therapist can help a child learn how to regulate these, but it is complicated, and the results depend on a lot of other factors such as the child's behaviour and intellect.

I dont know how helpful this is, but hope it is of some use.

If you scroll down on Coppertops link there is another book which our OTs use, called the Out of Synch Child. I think there is a second volume in that series too.

You know what it is like I was looking for replies then I got distracted by Christmas shopping panic! Coppertop your son sounds like mine. He is always crashing and jumping from extreme heights or upside down. The rougher the better.

I will let you know if anything comes in the report. She showed me this thing about putting pressure on his head with my hand before traumatic things like hairwashing. it felt really nice I might find a friend to do it to me when I am dealing with the aftermath of DS2's behaviour.

Will try the books Copper and Fubs. Our wait was only three months so not too bad.

Can you have sensory problems without anything else or are they always associated with other stuff? Is it a permanent thing?

We all have some sensory issues.

Common examples in adults are: chewing tops of pens, chewing fingernails, twirling hair, unable to work with radio/tv on or ticking clock, needing to sleep in light or darkened room, chewing gum, liking spicy food, the list goes on!

Sometimes I think when a teacher really cant cope with a fidgetty child in the classroom, the teacher is finding it difficult to concentrate therefore revealing their own sensory issues!

My dd gets weekly OT for sensory issues and has done since june. We have gone from having a child who was so anxious and overcome with sensory problems, could not socialise, who nursery could not control due to meltdowns and hitting and running away to one with friends in reception who has very few problems. This has mainly occurred thro sensory therapy most of which does involve going on swings etc. I have loads of books on subject but still cannot understand how it works, but it def has for dd. Ped was on verge of dx asd but feels now with improvements that it is v. unlikely. She prob only has sensory issues.