Can I have some advice on sensory issues, please?

[myredcardigan]

For the last 3weeks, 20mth old DD appears to have been struggling with some kind of sensory problem relating to her feet. She is suddenly terrified of walking on grass or putting her feet in sand or water. In fact she refuses to be barefoot at all. It's like it terrifies her. She has also started to touch things with her feet in a strange way. She also screams if you stroke or rub them which is something she used to love. She only ever walks on tiptoes now.

I took her to the GP last week to check she hadn't hurt them in any way and he thought they were fine and suggested it may be just taking her longer to recover from the very nasty virus she had last month (she ended up in hospital)

I did a search on here and it seems that it's closely linked with autism. I have to say I've never had any cause to think she's autistic. She has very good understanding, copies, points and talks in 3 or 4 word sentences. She also has imaginative play (e.g puts her dolls down for a nap) But what worries me is all the threads on here where people link it with regression. Is it common for a 20mth old with good understanding and good, appropriate speech to regress? Could the virus have triggered something?

Are there lots of other causes for the problems she seems to be experiencing? I'd be grateful for any advice please as I'm really starting to worry.

Have you noticed any changes other than the feet? Is she still talking/playing the same? Have you noticed any other sensory issues? I'm sorry I don't really know much about regression (ds has ASD but didn't regress) but the few cases I've read/heard have talked about losing the words and eye-contact in the first instance. Don't hesitate to keep going back to your GP if they don't get better. Sorry not much use but didn't want you to slip down the board...

When she was in hospital did they take blood from her feet, or put a line in there?

My DD had sensory issues for a long time after leaving the NICU, she hated having her feet touched, socks put on etc right up until she was 2-3. She had a lot of needles in her feet which I think didn't help her.

She also wouldn't walk on sand, grass, put her feet in water (except the bath).

She has improved now, but hasn't had bloods/a line in her feet for a long time.

Hi Seuss, thanks for replying.
Yes, she's still chatting away in a demanding toddler way eg Lizzie wants toast! or Lizzie's turn now!(when made to share with her brother) or exclaiming things like, 'mummy t-shirt stripes!' or 'Lizzie t-shirt no stripes!'

Play still the same indoors such as dollies, blocks and books (she sits and pretends to read) but ourdoors has all but disappeared. She won't chase after the ball or climb the climbing frame or even walk outdoors shoes or no shoes. I'm really worried. She'll also lie on her back indoors and reach up to things with her feet as if to touch them. It looks odd and is very recent.

Hi Sidge, she didn't have a line in her feet but they may have taken blood from them. I know it sounds stupid but I can't remember properly It was so stressful and seems hazy now.
Your post has actually put my mind at rest somewhat.

Like I say I don't have much knowledge of regression but I would have thought you would have noticed some regression of speech/social skills if it was. Virus' can have long effects can't they like your doc said, perhaps it's just left nerves very sensitive - specially if she did have needles and stuff. Perhaps her body just feels very sensitve right now - hence not wanting to play outside?? Perhaps touching things with her feet is her way of trying to understand why they feel strange/see if they still hurt?? Sorry don't really know but don't think I'd be thinking 'autism' yet.

Thanks, Seuss. Yes, you may be right I'll just give her time and see if she improves.

TBH, as I said in my OP, I have never had any reason to think she was autistic. It's just that when I did a search on here for sensory issues it all seemed tied up with autism.

Whilst sensory issues are a part of autism it is only part of it and I'm sure you'd have seen other indications. Hope she feels better soon! Try not to worry too much.

hi cardigan...

3wks ago DH had a VERY peculiar virus. It sounds very much the same to me - he had a raging temperature, felt very unwell, but it was his hands that were affected most. They were absolutely stony cold, for 2 days he had blue finger nails (very worrying), and couldnt even hold a fork very well, let alone dress himself! His hands were extremely sensitive too - like cramping the whole time. Even now 3wks later he says they still tingle and havent regained co-ordination properly yet. The doctor said that sometimes the virus can leave a 'toxin' behind which slows the healing process down considerably. If your DD has had the same thing, im not surprised she doesnt want anything touching them.

On the regression thing: DS5 at the age of 14mths used to be able to say around 3/4 words in the correct place and also sign them too. He could point, and understood what it meant. He is now 2yrs old and has lost that ability, he doesnt even remember what pointing is - he just looks at your finger. He has NO imaginary play at all and just mouths most of his toys. His eye contact is very poor, and he is non-verbal now. In essence his character has not changed, it just seems younger. Just to add tho, he is a happy little chap with the cheekiest smile, and likes a bit of rough and tumble with the best of them!

I hope that helps to put your mind at ease.

PS if you are wondering, we are convinced that DS5 has ASD/PDD of some description and he is undergoing lots of assessments and therapies.

I think if she was anywhere on the ASD spectrum you would notice many more problems. My NT (non autistic) son sometimes gets frightened by noises but apart from being fine otherwise, there's nothing odd about being scared by a noise whereas my autistic son's response, at the same age, would have been a lot more 'over the top' if it was a noise he didn't like. I think it's more likely that she has developed a fear of her feet touching unknown substances - which again is not odd in itself.

I have a friend with an NT son who is now five and HATES to get wet / dirty / walk barefoot. He has eczema so has v. sensitive skin. It got worse when he was a toddler as up until then he wasn't outside much or allowed to get wet or dirty. Otherwise he's perfectly normal (if this exists, even for NT kids!!). Like anything else, keep an eye on it, keep talking to your GP if you are worried. Toddlers are often scared of new things / experiences / foods / etc.

I'm sorry if my OP suggested I was worried she had ASD, I'm not. I've never worried about her communication or understanding or play. My only concern re autism was that when I searched on here re sensory issues it was mentioned by mums who had noticed their normally developing child regressing.

I posted on here because I hoped that some mums on this board would have experience/suggestion regarding sensory issues. Today I've watched her hold her ankle and deliberately touch things with her feet, very odd looking. Thanks for all the advice and suggestions especially that it could have come from the virus or having bloods taken. I'll keep an eye on her and I'm sorry if I offended anyone by posting on this board. Thanks

Just reread my post and it sounds slightly shirty. Didn't mean it that way at all. Was genuinely saying thanks for kind words and sorry if I suggested I was worried about autism. Just the regression thing put worry in my mind. TBH, right now I'm more worried about her feet phobia thingy than thinking it means something else IYKWIM.

Tclanger, thanks for taking time to respond to me again. Yes I am worried but somewhat reassured since starting this thread.

Sorry - might have been partly my fault things veered onto autism, I was just trying to put your mind to rest on that score at least! Hope you got the answers you needed and are slightly less worried now!

My son now 4 has Sensory Processing disorder as well as feeding issues. But he is not Autistic, for the longest time doctor's would compare some of his behaviors to some of children with Autism. Its amazing how many doctor's have never dealt with sensory issues.

My son was the same, with grass, sand and water. But slowly over the years has learned to tolerate it. I would be happy to answer any of your questions and talk to you.

Lisa

Seuss, don't worry I did mention it in my OP. Just didn't want to come across as worried she was autistic when I was mainly worried about the feet thing.

MuminCT, thank you. can I ask, was it something that happened suddenly? She had also in the last couple of days become totally obsessed by dirt and being dirty. Earlier she screamed with terror because she got some pasta sauce on her hands. I don't know what to think.

It seemed to happen all at once. But then when we went back through his history signs were their that we missed.

Like he hated having a bath, he hated his car seat. Doctor said was just being awkward. But has heard of an awkward NB? When we lived in Hawaii the sun really bothered him.

Here is a really good site you should look at
www.sensory-processing-disorder.com/sensory-processing-disorder-checklist.html

I can also give you a list of great books that helped us.

I'll have a look at that site, thank you. With DD, this has only happen since the nasty virus a few weeks ago. If I'm honest, her whole personality seems to have changed since then.