Sensory Issues and pain signals?

[handmademitlove]

My ASD DD has sensory issues which means she doesn't "feel" things such as hunger, thirst, hot and cold until they are very strong. She also doesn't notice pain - so can't tell when she injures herself. As an example she picked up a hot dish and didn't notice it was hot... burning her fingers in the process. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to deal with this? It isn't a complete lack of sensation, rather that the senses are dulled I guess. She was discharged on diagnosis so no medical professionals other than GP..

@handmademitlove

Some ares have a Paediatric Sensory Occupational Therapist so you can ask your GP to refer or self-refer.

In other areas the service is solely private.

It's definitely worth pursuing, I've found both NHS and private Sensory OT's to be very helpful.

@BlankTimes our paed OT only accept referrals where there are multiple areas of concern 🙄. She has seen them before but too long ago to self refer back. Might have to find a private OT...

Does DD have a EHCP?

@Thatsnotmycar no - at the moment she is managing okay at school and given how awful our LA is I haven't summoned up the energy to go in to battle over that. If things deteriorate we will think again..

If you do apply for an EHCP the EHCNA can include an OT assessment, including sensory OT, and an EHCP can include ongoing sensory OT provision.