My [intlink id="578" type="post"]Sensory Processing Disorder books[/intlink] arrived last week and I jumped in to my education with Sensational Kids: Hope and Help for Children with Sensory Processing Disorder
Based on our evaluation with the Occupational Therapist, and confirmed by what I am reading, I can see that Eby falls into the category of being a “Sensory Seeker”. He is always moving, crashing into things, overly loud, and just a little bit “over the top” in lots of situations. [...]
There are three classic forms of Sensory Processing Disorder, one of which is Sensory Modulation Disorder. Kids like Eby have a hard time, “turning sensory information into behaviors that match the nature and intensity of the message. (p.21) Some kids under-respond, like a child who doesn’t flinch when he is hurt, while others over-respond, like a child who can only tolerate certain textures of clothing. Then there are the kids who are Sensory Seekers…which brings me to Eby.
Sensory Seekers crave sensation and can become extremely demanding when they don’t get it. These kids are often labeled as “trouble makers” or misdiagnosed with ADHD. According to Dr. Miller,
Their social interactions tend to be invasive—they crowd people and touch them, knock other kids over or go down the slide too fast and overtake the child in front to them because they’re so excited. (p. 28)
My goal is to learn much more about this…I’m still at the very beginning. Most importantly, I want to help Eby find positive ways to fill his need for sensory input and activity as well as help him learn to calm himself when he gets “ramped up”.
We have already learned that deep pressure of the joints helps Eby regulate himself -which would explain why he loves to jump on the trampoline and be “squished” when wrestling with Russ.
The OT we met with had lots of great ideas that I’ll be sharing. Although I feel very inadequate to explain much of about Sensory Processing Disorder, since it is still so new to me, I’ll keep reading and doing my research. Maybe something I learn will be helpful to your family.
~Lisa
Our daughter is a sensory seeker too. We use words like "your engine is running high" from the Alert Program (http://www.alertprogram.com/). We also just got a weighted belt which when she first put on said "Oh, this helps me slow down." She will turn four at the end of this month. We've also found that a gluten free diet and zero sugar really helps. Good luck as you wade through discovery with Eby.
Hey, I LOVE the picture of Eby. I hope these books will be helpful.
Mimi
Hey Lisa, Can totally relate to your Sensory Seeker. I’ve learned so much through Asher’s experience and the most important one is a wonderfully whole new way to view the world. Sometimes it is so frustrating and hard but also cause be so eye opening and fun to experience the world seeking your senses some days! Also, a good thing idea some one gave me and I’m yet to implement is getting a soccer sock and filling it with beans. Sew the open end shut and put over the shoulders for extra propreoceptive input. Also, if he needs help sleeping I’ve heard weighted blankets are awesome! Can’t wait to learn more along with you! Thanks for sharing!! – Chris
Glad you are finding the books so helpful. I did too after the evaluation to help me understand what I was seeing. It is interesting after only 6 months of therapy, and that he is older (9), that he is beginning to understand what he needs. An example would be asking for a running break in the middle of an english assignment that has lots of writing. I get wrapped up in other things, and his recognizing it without my help is wonderful for our day.
Thank you for writing about Sensory Processing Disorder. I believe my 4 year old Timothy has it and while I'm sure I would have found it somehow I believe God brought me across your blog to find it. I checked out the books you mentioned from the library and have been reading them pretty much non stop ever since. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
We deal with sensory issues with several of our children (in process of having three of them evaluated). One thing we've found to be "worth it's weight in gold" is a mini trampoline. It's better than a large outdoors one because it can be jumped on during times when it's not feasible for me to go outside and supervise. We have a firm, only one at a time rule and I am able to send a child to jump in the family room while I'm doing various other things around the house. My oldest has probably logged hundreds of miles of jumping in the past six or so years that we've tried this approach. It helps him immensely and he is often found jumping and reading, jumping and singing, jumping and practicing his math facts, jumping and helping a sibling with spelling.
I look forward to reading what you learn…I'm in the process of learning a lot myself as I did a bit of research years ago and hadn't really pursued it more until the past few months.
As a special ed teacher and mother of my own "sensory nightmares" I have to second the vote for the mini tramp!
I sent an email today to the members of my church today asking if anyone had a mini trampoline (and some other things) to sell, and I just got email tonight from somebody who has a mini trampoline to give to me! Yay for Eby!
YES please share. I think we fall on the spectrum too and want to do as much as possible for our sweet litle boy! I so appreciate your blog and I have cut most of my computer time out of my daily routine but your blog is a must read for us as we have been able to use and share much of what you post! THANK YOU FOR BLESSING OUR FAMILY!!!!!
I found a weighted vest at Walmart last week and bought it for Nebiyu. I can't get over the change. He wore it to school on Monday. We talked with the teacher and said he didn't have to wear it, but when he gets out of control, she can ask him to put it on. At the end of the three hour school day, she said he had the BEST day, by far, this year. Tuesday she was in complete amazement, saying the class of 9 boys and 2 girls was jumping off the walls, except my son! Wednesday was day three of great behavior, and I can't wait to hear about today. She says he takes it off and on, but likes it. I told him it would make him strong!
Heidi,
Is this a weight-training vest? How much does it weigh and how much does your son weigh? That would be a simple solution for Eby.
I purchased my daughter her own kitchen timer and when she is disregulated, I will send her to jump on the trampoline. She might complain occasionally, but she also knows she will feel MUCH better after doing it. She too like deep pressure and sleeps with a weighted blanket (http://www.weightedblanket.net is where we buy ours). This has helped tremendously! Even if she just needs to regroup, we will occasionally use the blanket without sleeping. We've been doing sensory stuff with her for about the last 4 years and even though she is now only 6 years 10 months, she is learning to think about what she needs. We too use the "check your motor" mentioned above. I got tickled the other day because she said, "Oh my! My motor is running fast! I had better calm down." Yeah! She recognized it! Hanging her head upside down helps her to regulate herself and so does spinning. I don't really know how old Eby is, but a sit and spin might be helpful for him if he's a spinner (my daughter was spinning on her bottom when she joined our family at 9 months of age!).
I am reading this book right now too! I often wonder if my Little Man, who often has those terms thrown at him "he must be adhd" (tho we officially have another w/ that in the house and I'm not positive this is so, hence this book) or "he's a troublemaker" and often in trouble…….if he is a sensory seeker. Much of the same characteristics at any rate. So…..I'm reading up and trying to learn some more myself. Keep us posted on what you find , I always am interested in your take on it and how you distill the info.
I have both a sensory seeking daughter and a sensory avoiding son. My son has Aspergers and can't handle loud noises. large crowds, is extremely picky about food, has to have his hair cut short or it tickles his neck, only wants to wear cotton t-shirts and putting your hand firmly on his shoulder can feel like you are shoving him or squeezing him tightly. On the other hand, my daugther has twirled all over our home since she was a toddler, can't stand the quiet, told me she hates sitting, has always eaten everything, and even as a baby she cried if she wasn't upright and moving. She also has difficulty falling asleep and I found out while sharing a bed with her at my mother-in-laws that she can really thrash around, even in her sleep.
We spent a year in occupational therapy with her and a year and a half with my son. We learned how to use the Alert Program. My daughter has really benefited from the program because it helped her recognize when she needed a bear hug to help her calm down. I haven't purchased a weighted blanket yet, but we do have a jean blanket that has helped some. Also, I try to exclude food dye from our diet. We completely exclude red dye at home, but they do have some in sweets at my mother-in-laws. There is a huge difference in their behavior when they have had red dye. I saw a huge improvement with both our children after using these different tools to deal with Sensory Processing Disorder. I wish you luck in finding what works for you and Eby.
My (adopted ) daughter had SPD. We spent 2 years in OT and we created a sensory diet. The SD we did EVERYday. Fortunately, with a lot of patient and work, she graduated from OT and self regulates/modulates beautifully.
Mimi, that is so encouraging. I already see signs of hope that Eby is going to gain more mastery over himself. Thank you for sharing that!