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Martha in VA
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| Posted: Feb 15 2007 at 9:22am | IP Logged
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I know we're not the only family on these forums dealing with a child with Sensory Integration Disorder. I thought I would start a thread asking what changes have you made in your family to make life less challenging for your child and your family. Dietary changes? Environmental? Curriculum? We have had some really tough days recently and I'm looking for new ideas.
Thanks!
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Willa
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| Posted: Feb 15 2007 at 10:14am | IP Logged
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AH what a great question.
Does your child fit a particular definition?
Mine's a sensory seeker. The day goes much better if he has his crunchies and his active bouncing and playing in the course of the day, and bath in the afternoon and massages at night to help him settle down.
Swinging or riding helps him too.
My older child was sensory defensive and I didn't know it (wish I'd read the literature back then, but I don't think it was really even out there). It would have been different accommodations for him.
Also how old is the child with the sensory challenges. That might make a difference too.
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Willa
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KC in TX
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| Posted: Feb 15 2007 at 10:46am | IP Logged
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Mine is also a sensory seeker. He needs strong heavy work. For instance, wheel barrow walking, push ups, even a pilates move (swimming) can help calm him for a bit of time. Swinging helps too. I also find that his needs change so what worked once doesn't always work the next time.
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Martha in VA
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| Posted: Feb 15 2007 at 12:14pm | IP Logged
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It's my 8 y.o. and she's sensory defensive. Even the smallest stimulus can set her off for the entire morning. 
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Willa
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| Posted: Feb 15 2007 at 3:15pm | IP Logged
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Does she have an OT?
Aidan has benefited very much from Wilbarger brushing -- however the sites all say that you must be carefully trained in how to use the procedure and that is why I asked about the OT. It is very helpful for tactile defensiveness (which I forgot to mention Aidan does have so I guess he's a mixed picture but the sensory seeking comes out the most in daily life). We used to use it several times a day but nowadays once or twice a day is enough.
The strongest caution I got from those who showed me the procedure is NEVER to brush the front chest or abdominal area. It is actually dangerous, according to what I heard, and also very difficult to tolerate even for a typical person.
The second-strongest caution was not to do "light touch" because sensory defensive children often find light touching to be extremely disorganizing. The idea is that firm long strokes with the brushing work best.
But if you can find someone to show you the protocol, I will vouch for its effectiveness at least in Aidan's case.
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julia s.
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My oldest son has never been formally diagnosed with anything, but a friend who is an ot suggested SID as a cause for some of his meltdowns.
He is easily overly stimulated by touch. Tags on shirts and stiff clothing although don't initially cause a meltdown, seem to set the stage for one when anything else is added in the mix. When he went to kindergarden I noticed the days he wore sweat pants were always good days versus the days he wore jeans.
Also, if he is going to be out somewhere for a long time and it is going to be around a lot of people where he'll be expected to stay on some task we bump down his legs before he goes. This helps especially before he goes to cubscouts and soccer.
When we went to Disney World a couple of years ago we made sure everything he wore was comfortable, we'd bump down his legs before we went and once when the crowd was getting heavy his father picked him up put him on his shoulders and raced him to a less crowded part of the park (He thought this was great fun).
Most of his SID seems located in his legs more than anywhere else. When people correct his stance at gymnastics or when doing archery it takes only seconds from that point for him to meltdown.
I don't know why, but keeping him hydrated with water also seems to make our days go smoother. If he's brewing my husband and I have a "have a drink" remedy which seems to cool him down a little and he's more open to other directions and help.
HTHs.
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4 lads mom
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| Posted: Feb 19 2007 at 3:28pm | IP Logged
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What does your daughter do with swimming?
I forgot to mention in my intro that my 8 yr old also has SID...we went to an OT, great with ideas, but once again, my ds is big time sensory seeking...I know he is stressed when he crawls across the floor dragging his forehead on the carpet!!or across on his palms...that is enough to make my skin crawl!!! He also runs around throwing himself at things (and brothers), but I know swimming is very organizing for him, and in the middle of winter, I am thinking it is time to renew the YMCA membership and get him swimming. For sensory defensive kids, swimming can be relaxing as well, or I am sure she could have the opposite effect too 
The "Out of Syn Child" series have really great recommendations for both sensory seekers and defensive kinds.
It is exhausting at times, isn't it?
Take care,
4 Lads' Mom with baby due in Sept.
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tracym
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| Posted: April 14 2007 at 5:41am | IP Logged
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I have always figured my oldest(10 now) has a lot of sensory issues. We just got this confirmed through an OT evaluation and will be seeking some OT help for a sensory diet. She mentioned things like a mini trampoline, pushing, heavy work and the importance of doing these things before areas of frustration for Allen. It has been awhile since I read the "Out of Sync Child" but I want to go back to it. Part of my problem is other people not understanding that he is not being a brat but things really do bother him. I think it will help him alot if we can help him find ways to cope with his sensory defensiveness.
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Aloha1964
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Our six year old son is also a sensory seeker. TBTG he no longer head butts people or runs on all fours. This summer we were blessed to receive a trampoline through freecycle as well as a swingset. Swinging and jumping have worked wonders for our son. Whenever he starts getting stressed out, I tell him to jump until he calms down. The trampoline has worked wonders for him and for us. We also look for triggers--if he's hungry, tired or if somebody looks at him or touches him the *wrong* way, etc.
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mandmsmom2001
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I know this is an older thread but thought I'd respond anyway. Our 10 y.o. son has been attending OT since early December. He is a mess of both sensory seeking (oral)and defensive (psycho-social). We initially went for a fine motor evaluation relating to handwiritng issues and walked out being asked to complete an SID caregiver survey.
It was enlightening! All of the issues we had been dealing with in bits and pieces over the years were all right there! His results were far below normal in the oral and psycho-social areas and at or above average in everything else. The average, therefore, is at or above normal so he has cannot be officially diagnosed but is being treated for the handwriting issues as well as the other 2 areas during his sessions. He tested above normal on fine motor as well. I'm not sure how the therapist is swingning it, but she got him approved for treatment despite this and we couldn't be more thankful!
Our son has ahad a huge burst of confidence, less melt-downs and loves going to OT! He only has 2 more sessions left and he is dissappointed. The therapist has been great and gives me copies of materials every week - I think my co-pay is being reciprocated in copies!
We've met another homeschool boy, age 8, in the waiting room and they live 2 towns over. Small world!
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4Real Forums : Special Blessings
Topic: How to live with SID in your home??
