ASD sensory problem - who do you speak to?

[debs40]

DS1 (6) has very definite sensory issues which include hypersensitivity to smells and tastes. He can vomit even at the thought of foods he dislikes. He is under an OT at the moment.

This holiday, he has started vomiting in his sleep because he says he has been dreaming of the foods that make him feel nauseous! It's horrible and happened Christmas and Boxing Day. He was in tears and explained it had been something in his dream.

Do we raise this with the occupational therapist who deals with sensory matters or go back to our GP, or do we ask to see the consultant paed again (who only saw him for ten minutes 6 months ago) or is it a psychological issue dealt with by CAMHs?

I've no faith anyone will have a clue how to deal with it. It really annoys me. If he was aggressive or out of control in school, he'd get bumped up the list, but he suffers lots of these problems in silence (clothes, smells, tastes) or with me managing them, and no one gives a toss.

I should say we are on the CAMHS waiting list at the moment for ASD diagnosis and it could take another year.

my DSs OT has been brilliant in helping me to assess and recognise DS sensory issues, she has also given me loads of strategies etc to help him!

DS2's OT was amazing at helping with his sensory stuff. BUT it took regular OT intervention, (1yr of weekly pre school OT group therapy, with home programme running alongside).
I had to be very clear about what we wnated to achieve & for some things the OT had to "ask around" for ideas & experience from colleagues.
Does he have a clinical psych, could the psych & OT maybe get together & come up with a plan?

My ds has similiar issues, touch, taste and noise. It has huge implications on how he responds to situations, it placed him in some difficult situations at school - he often was told off for being naughty, his self esteem plummeted. I dont think the school really ever understood that his sensitivities were very real for him and he was not being naughty or unreasonable.

However, as DS got older he has become more tolerent of some of his sensivities, but he still has some difficulties and probably always will. The OT seems a good start, ask her advice. It is important that paeds/camhs have a full understanding of his difficulties so it wouldnt do any harm to contact them directly to ask for their advice and support also. Good luck!

You can get help for this.... I have just been left to get on with it. They discharge the DC's at 5/6 yo in our area, no matter what from OT, and the waiting list for CAMHS is unexplainably long (DD was put on the list at 5.9, and still hasn't been seen, age 11.10, DS2 was put on the list at 5.4, not been seen either). Woollen jumpers are just a no-no for either, same with any type of beans (they have the wrong 'feel' (texture)), amongst other things...

Thanks. The OT is the only one who makes any effort and who talks any sense, so I will start with her!