I had the opportunity to participate in a survey put together by an Occupational Therapy student, Courtney Boren. She conducted the survey to gain a better understanding of the needs of adopted children and how Occupational Therapy can help them. The final project is now a resource which she is making available to families and fellow Occupational Therapists.
The stories of individual children and their families are interesting reading and you may find ideas that are helpful for your child. Even if you don’t think your child has sensory processing issues, you may come across new ideas. You may also recognize your niece, neighbor, or another child you know and your understanding of them will be greatly increased.
In our case, I had no idea that Eby had Sensory Processing issues. I knew he was too rough, too loud, prone to covering his ears and screaming in response to loud noises, and a “bull in a china shop.” He often hurt me by unintentionally knocking his head into my face. He avoided touch, hesitated to hug, and was very volatile at times. One day while in a therapy session with Deborah, he came close to me and knocked his head into my mouth. She had been observing him and after asking us some questions she suggested we have an evaluation by an OT. She also recommended some books to me (see below).
This new information proved to be very helpful. When Eby began to act strange our minds didn’t always anxiously run to trauma or attachment issues. We began to consider his difficulty processing sensory information. This has given us a new paradigm as we love and parent our beautiful boy.
Take a look:
Adoption: Hope For Healing
I’m sure Courtney would appreciate your feedback, either as comments to this post, or by email. Her email address is in the document.
You may also want to check out the blog Hartley’s Life With 3 Boys.
Let’s keep learning.
These are some of the books that have been recommended to me:
~Lisa
Thank you for sharing this. I am continuing to learn how to understand and help one of my little boys.
Shonni, I think it is a going to be a long journey of learning for most of us. If you have tips to share, please send them my way.
Wow. That third paragraph describes my son perfectly. We've known 'something isn't quite right' since birth, but friends and family have been very critical of us and said it is just b/c we adopted him and we are having issues with him not being our biological child. This simply is not true.
Without knowing anything about Sensory Processing Issues, I've described him to our Dr. as "something isn't right with his senses…especially touch. He goes crazy not being able to stand the sensation of hugs, kisses, showers, getting his blood pressure checked, basically anything touch, and yet his is so destructive and about breaks my nose every time he comes near me. He cannot decide if the water is burning him (even if it is cold), or whether something tickles unbearably, or actually hurts."
I've written each of the above titles down and am going to the library right now, but do you have any other suggestions – I mean anything that you have found helpful with Eby and anything that you have found not to be helpful. Money is tight, so I'd rather try some things that seem to be very successful prior to just blindly exploring.
Thank you!
Christina
Christina, I am so glad you are finding this helpful. First, if you look on the side bar of my blog, you will see "What I Write About". Look down the list and click on "Sensory Processing Disorder" That should take you to the posts I've written about SPD as we have explored this with Eby. Second, the first book I read was Sensational Kids and I it was very helpful to me, giving me a good overview of this disorder. It also gave me hope! Third, there are many blogs of moms with kids with SPD. I would check out Hartley's Life with 3 Boys (the link is in this post) and also my friend Jillian's blog, Rooted in Love:
http://familyrootedinlove.blogspot.com/
I hope you find many, many resources. If I had to choose my top three helpful tools for Eby they would be: the trampoline, bubble gum, and the rice bin. There is also the huge stuffed bunny he sleeps with, his silky blanket, his red magic (search earlier posts), ear muffs, and so much more. As you try things, you'll begin to find the ones that help your son and you will be so thankful to have those tools in your tool box!
Also, if at all possible, have him evaluated by an OT who has experience with Sensory Processing Disorder.
Please keep me posted about your son's progress.
Lisa
I think Courtney did an excellent job. I have passed it along to so many. She really put her heart into it. Thanks for posting!
Jillian, she did an excellent job and I'm so glad she is making her work available to families. We bloggers need to get the word out about this resource.
Thanks so much for continuing to spread the word about this! I am so passionate about this, since it effects so many in my family (including me!).
Number one inexpensive tip… if you are looking for less costly "sensory" toys… some you can't get anywhere else… but as for others… definitely stop by your local pet store, checking out the cat and dog toys for fun objects with varying textures.
Tonggu Momma, I can't believe I forgot to recommend your blog!
Everyone, definitely stop by http://ourlittletongginator.blogspot.com/
Thank you for the comment TM.
Lisa – It was great to get a comment from you on our blog. We still follow your blog and love the story that God is weaving through your beautiful family! He is so good and kind everyday.
In His grip,
Russ
Lisa,
Have you ever heard of Dianne Craft? You can google her and get to her website easily. I have started reading and watching her videos "The Biology of Behavior," "Teaching the Right Brained Child," and a few others. She has some really great resources for sensory integration therapy and brain re-training exercises for children. I am beginning to use some of the ideas with my children and am seeing great progress. Just thought I'd pass along another good resource
Jen, Thank you for sharing this resource!
Lisa recently i found out that my nephew had sensory issues as well. I have a idea for you for eby next time your in the store go to the chip aisle and get a bag of Sun Chips. He will love it. we tried it with my nephew and he liked it. The bag on the chips is made out of a material that makes alot of noise. My nephew likes the bag and wont let anyone touch the bag.
It all makes sense once you understand it, doesn't it? Our daughter is severely sensory defensive. She avoids noise, touch, new situations, and new foods. She is doing much better now that we know what we're dealing with. Here are some websites that have helped us: http://www.sensoryplanet.com – forum for parents about SPD http://www.brainbalancecenters.com – individualized education and therapies for neurobehavioral disorders http://www.aitinstitute.org – auditory therapy
Jen, thank you for the great resources!
Hi there,
THANK YOU for suggesting my blog! :) I second Jen's suggestion of Sensory Planet, and if you are ever in need of direction, please don't hesitate to ask! You have such a beautiful family — I look forward to learning more about you all! : )
Happy 4th of July!
Hartley http://www.hartleysboys.com