Sensory issues embrase or discourage (coppertop ?)

[louismama]

Hope you dont mind me asking given recent thread and us still awaiting dx, ds1 has sensory problems head shaking especially when looking at lights, toe walking, spinning the majority of these I try to distract him from doing as are dangerous he inevitably falls and bangs himself several times on head on marble floor any suggestions on the matter would be great thanks.

Also coppertop youve mentioned two word sentences when talking to your ds2 i dont mean to sound an idiot but how does that work? Do you ONLY use two words sentences with him, i ask as some times i think ds has no understanding then others i notice if i use two words and they require an action for reply i.e. close door, or arms up he responds.

[louismama]

Mom and dad out on th 11th to help us MOVE (add it to my list iykwim) Dad said if she could possibly try to resceldule for the week after i could fly back with them (hard on flight etc.) She said shed see what she could do have phoned and left msg.appologising AGAIN just hope havent alienated her. got to go dh back

[louismama]

DH was fantastic said it makes sense as hes always felt akward ref. comm. but always pur it down to very traumatic childhood(trust me it was)
so he definately understands the gene link possiblity but is totally supportive of the diet too(choc milk incident convinced him i think) he makes alot of the same connections i do and thinks its worth a go as its none invasive. Am relived dreading telling him had been adding to my stress levels no end. Ds still dreadful crying loads restless have to keep taking him out for walks/beach to chill him out park no good when round other children he just bolts strange he doesnt do this at toddler club but suppose its because its indoors no chance to escape. Have done two very silly things recently read "Dont mourn us" it really messed with my head and did the online pdd test someone posted it came out severe (but admittedly it was a bit difficult as hes not talking yet) and scared the crap out of me.S**t.

[coppertop]

I'm glad the talk with your dh went well. It must feel better to get rid of some of that pressure.

Ds2 has also been a nightmare for the past few days. His back teeth are coming through and he's really suffering. The sunshine we've been having has also affected him as he can't bear bright light. We got him a new hat and sunglasses today to try to help him. So far so good.

I remember doing the online PDD test with ds1 when he was about 3ish. He got a pretty high score (about 170 I think). I re-did it for him when the link was posted again this week and this time he scored 112. With the right help a lot of his issues are now either fairly mild or have been resolved. This gives me a lot of hope for ds2.

[louismama]

You found sunglasses then- great, where from? Ds seems abit happier today hoping may have a little happy calm time for a bit. Can i ask what kind of help is ds2 receiving just SALT or other things too?

[coppertop]

The sunglasses were from Asda. They're just cheap ones (although with UV whatever-it's-called protection) as ds2 has a habit of trashing everything. I think they were about £1.50.

At the moment ds2 is getting SALT once a month. The SALT gives me suggestions and advice on what activities to try at home with ds2. We're doing matching games and pictures of verbs. The SALT is also getting some pictures for me to use for a simple visual timetable for ds2.

Ds2 has just been given a place at the local sensory group once a week. They use the hospital's sensory room. I'm not sure what exactly it is that happens there but ds2's first session there is next week.

We also have a portage worker who visits us at home every 2 weeks. She has lots of ideas and resources for teaching ds2 through play. Ds2 really loves her visits and starts going into a mad spinning frenzy every time she comes round.

Ds2 seems a lot calmer today too. I heard that there was a full moon just recently and so far he always seems to go slightly mad whenever there's a full moon. Ds1 has also been quite tearful and/or angry for the last couple of days too. Hmmm.

[JakB]

That's V interesting about the sunglasses. DD hates bright sunlight- I wonder if she would keep them on? She may if she feels calmer. She also freaks out at wind- particularly if combined with rain. And trees blowing in the wind- too stimmy.

[coppertop]

I was surprised at how long ds2 kept his on for tbh. I think the relief of not having the sunlight in his eyes must have been greater than the discomfort of wearing the glasses. He'll probably still pull them off and throw them next time he has a tantrum but at £1.50 a pair it wouldn't be too awful if they got scratched or broken.

[Saker]

Butting in here sorry if this is irrelevant as you haven't really been talking about noise sensitivity. But the other day I noticed at the special needs playgroups one of the boys who is autistic was wearing headphones. In fact his mum had got them for herself so that she could drown him out when he was having a two-hour screaming fit but he had taken to them and I wondered if they were blocking out sound for him. I asked his mum if he had very sensitive hearing but she didn't seem to know. Anyway I just mention it as a possible calming technique in the house? Ignore me if stupid or inpractical .

[monica2]

DD 10 is now very good at explaining her sensory issues, some which may be of interest eg when asked why she sat under the table the duration of a childrens party was because the sun was burning her eyes (it was indoors), spinning (with arms out) "feels nice between the arms", walking round and round in circles "feels nice between the legs",when we give a lot of instructions all at once " the words get jumbled in the front of my head", hitting head at front with fist "clears the jumbledness", a constant noise like the bath running/t.v. "blocks out all the other noises like the owls hooting??", clothes that are too big "don't feel as scratchy", being 'blocked in' in bed or when sitting in an unfamiliar place "makes me feel safe", some strong smells "make me feel sick" others smells like new socks? "smell really nice", the seam on the toe of my school tights "feel like stones on my toes" and so on ....

[louismama]

Thanks for that all, ct how did you go about getting help? Was it offered or did you have to request it? Sensory programme would be great for ds (just have to get dx first im sure) Ds has been a little easier to deal with today and absolute sweetie tonight kisses as well as scratches and pinches. Whats all this about full moon i sat looking at it the other night have seen mentioned in other threads but just thought was joke, is it? or is it something to do with cyclic behaviour? Ds is aot more patient with ds since weve spoke which is good.