Can anyone share their experiences or knowledge of sensory processing disorder please? Am so confused

[Overmydeadbody]

I don't know what is wrong with DS, but all his problems happen at school and in big groups, so I'm just looking in to snsory processing disorder (or whatever it is called) as someone mentioned that it could be the issue on another thread.

I'm just looking for more information and support really.

Am at my wit's end and really sad and frustrated at DS's behaviour.

[mumgoingcrazy]

OMDB, Sensory diet is (for us) Deep pressure brushing techinique to combat her severe tactile defensivness, and also the Therapeutic Listening program was part of the sensory diet as well. This has worked particularly well with her auditory processing. A prime example of this is not being able to filter out instructions etc in a noisy environment ie a classroom.

GDD is Global Dev delay, although she now just has Dev delay which is progress.

Once an OT has done a sensory assessment to establish what sensory issues your DS has, a program will be tailored to his needs.

[magso]

Don't beat yourself up! ( And ds was 9 before he started his prescribed sensory diet so you are doing well!)

[Overmydeadbody]

thank you magso, it really is so helpful to hear other people's experiences of this.

I will order the books today.

I feel bad that it has taken this long to realise that his problems are outside the range of what is normal. He's 6 already. Better late than never though hopefully.

[magso]

Hello again -sorry missed this thread so ignore my post on your other thread.
Ds has SID/SPD as part of his ASD and like daisysue I would say many of his difficulties at school are due to this.
Not all children with SID/SPD tick all the same boxes. Indeed difficulties can vary almost from moment to moment in the same child, (one moment unaware - the next painfully oversensitive). The OT may draw up a sensory profile to highlight the areas of difficulty. Ds has a sensory diet (set of exersizes/ things to work on to reduce over/under sensitivity and meet needs) and also some bits of equipment to meet those needs (such as a wobble cushion to sit on at school - bean bag at home to help with the distracting need to move to know where ds is in space).
I too would recommend those books by Carol Kranowitz - good starting point and fun!

[Overmydeadbody]

Thank you daisy.

I talked to the senco today and mentioned SPD, she is going to look into it and mention it to all the staff so they are more aware.

She said the school have noticed that he works much better in the classroom if he has earphones on, even if nothing is playing into his easrs, it seems to help him focus and tune off the noise of the other children. They are going to encourage him to wear them more. He likes that.

[daisysue2]

My daughter has sensory problems. She is ASD but most of her problems in school were due to sensory issues. She has had a good OT work with her. Important to get an OT that is quite local and has a sensory room and will go into the school. If you can't afford to pay for your own you will need a referral to the NHS OT. They often do brushing, very easy to do at home, which desensitizes children to fabrics clothing etc. Tactile defensive is the term they use. The listening works for some children who find noise difficult, didn't really help my daughter but she does have headphones on in school playing low music to drown out noise in class of 30. She has grown out of many of the problems she had but still seeks sensory feedback ie the thrill seeking, hanging from trees, climbing, picking stuff, chewing. Seeking stimulus. I have been told by OT and SALT that its important to sort out these problems early on as it stops them learning.

[Overmydeadbody]

DLI it's reassuring to hear that my D isn't the only one, he cannot be in a public loo cubicle when the toilet is flushed, if it happens (I made the mistake on an airoplane once) he gets hysterical, sounds like I am torturing him. He has learnt to contorl this a bit more now but will still always leave the cubicle and I then have to flush it.

He is 6, coming to the end of yr1 in school.

The crazy thing is, in some ways he doesn't tick all the boxes for SPD, he has very good fine and gross motor skills, and he pushes these. He's not happy to just ride a bike, he has to do it hands free, or lift his feet onto the frame of the bike when wizzing down a hill etc. like he needs more stimulation than others.

mummygoingcrazy thank you so much for sharing, am amazed they picked it up so early in your dd! What is a sensory diet? What is GDD?

I am going to talk to the SENCO tomorrow about all of this. I am looking at those books you recommended on amazon, I think I will buy them. Thank you.

[mumgoingcrazy]

OMDB, some of the things you say about your DS does sounds like SPD, in particular auditory and tactile processing. A well worth buy is "The out of sync child" and also "The out of sync child has fun". Some mums on here recommended it to me and it's been invaluable.

DD2 has SPD and GDD. We were extremely lucky as it was picked up at just 11 months and has been on a sensory diet ever since. We are coming to the end of a 18 week Therapeutic Listening program and it has worked wonders with her. I'm not even sure if she has sensory issues anymore, certainly not as severe as she used to anyway.

Probably the best place to start would be getting a sensory trained OT to do a sensory form and this will tell them what sensory processing issues he has and then set an appropriate sensory diet for him. HTH

[DLI]

your ds sounds alot like mine, ds still plays alongside children rather than with him. he too doesnt like plasters on and when i make him he screams the place down like i am trying to kill him, my ds has no sense of danger and will often throw himself off things. with ds i have to give him a lot eye to eye contact and when i want him to do something i have to get him to repeat it to me otherwise i am talking to myself! how old is your ds and how long has he been going to school. my ds is slowly getting better at school because it is becoming more and more familiar. i cannot go anywhere near the hand dryer in public toilets with ds cos is a nightmare, he screams and kicks off like the hand dreyer will get him.

i would speak to your gp and see if he will make a referral to the hospital for an assessment

[Overmydeadbody]

Thank you so much DLI. I think, like you, I have thought nothing of a lot of DS's behaviours which, when looked at from an outsider's point of view, are not actually as common and 'normal' as I thought.

He needs to always physically touch me and stroke me if he's near me, but can flip out and arch his back if the staff at school try to touch him.

He claims toothpaste burns his mouth and seems in physicla pain if there is too much toothpaste on his toothbrush.

He is a thrill seeker, I thought it was normal boy behaviour but have recently realised none of his friends are like this and display far more caution.

He flips out if anyone mentions putting a plaster on any cut he ever gets and will not ever allow me to clean a cut or graze.

He was selectively mute at nursery and refused to join in any activities, singing, games or music, prefering to play alone.

He hated tumble tots and other toddler groups as a toddler.

He will not go into a room with an 'entertainer' at children's parties, and keeps well away from clowns.

If someone does something funny he holds in any smile or laugh, or turns his back in order to smile (so they don't see). This doesn't apply to me or close family though.

He can't seem to heaar instructions if he's in a large group (hence the trouble at school)

He spins, and if he can't spin himself he spins anything he can lay his hands on instead.

[DLI]

my ds (5 1/2) has just been to an appointment with the child therapy services. he was referred there by his peadiatrician as he has di george and has special educational needs. whilst at the appointment they told me that he was sensory seeking, they said he was tapping his feet because he had to "feel it", as well as swinging his feet whilst sat on a chair also other he was doing other things that were sensory seeking which i just thought were everyday actions and had read nothing into it. my son doesnt like being in groups and would rather be on a one to one basis. he doesnt like loud noises or being in large crowds, likes lots of hugs and cuddles, he struggles riding his bike and doesnt like the feeling of being insecure on it, he isnt any good at catching a ball, he doesnt like dirty hands and is always wiping his mouth, he has fine and gross motor skill problems,
struggles using scissors and cutlery

try looking at this webside www.sensory-processing-disorder.com/sensory-processing-disorder-checklist.html

it may help

[Overmydeadbody]

anyone?