Sensory Issues and how can we help? ?

[Guest guest]

Hi everyone!

I had to share this very quick: My son Tanner has sensory

integration challenges that I didn't understand or know about when he

was a baby and toddler. As a baby he would at times stiffen his

entire body, bulge his eyes out in pain -and scream like he was being

stung by a bee down his pants...and always in public places where

everyone looked at me like " what are you doing to that poor child?! "

My sister who is a professional nanny also couldn't find anything

ever -but when we left the public place (in embarrassment) Tanner

would calm down and typcially go to sleep.

As he got a bit older -and we still thought he was " normal " just a

late talker, we called him the tough kid because he would scratch

mosquito bites till they bled (we had to cover all bites with band

aids or it looked like he had this horrible skin problem) he wouldn't

cry when he got shots at the doctor, or fell down...yet this same

child would say " ow " if you patted his head or tickled his arm. He

never -and still doesn't like to be hugged to much unless he's

looking for it -that hurts him too -and he in general doesn't like

anyone touching him -however all of the above has improved with OT

therapies like brushing, etc. and he's pretty much overcome so much

even though you can still see it. When he was smaller he carried

little things in his hand -a cap to a pen, weird stuff like that -but

if you tried to take it away from him -even when he went to bed -

unless he was 100% asleep -he would " freak out " -I know here I don't

have to explain that to those who have children with SI issues. And

speaking of freak out times -some of the stories are funny now -the

same ones that were nightmares then -like the woman on the elevator

that looked at Tanner and said " Did somebody hit you sweetheart -

it's OK you can tell me " (Tanner scream cried like he was having

pins stuck in him even when he got older)

Well -I have some great news that I just got a sign that my little SI

man is really growing up. When Tanner used to put on a new shirt

without a plain (tagless) T shirt underneath -he would start to cry

and whine and pull at the shirt that it hurt him -very dramatic

like. Since about a month ago -he now quietly takes off the shirt

himself -goes to get the scissors himself -and cuts off the tag

himself....Yeah!!!

And who can teach us how these lingering SI issues -or those with

more severe issues -may effect future school work, home life, and

social situation, and how we can help? ...our resident OT

CHERAB advisor -who is the coordinator for the OTC Clinic in Sommerset, NJ who

you haven't all had the pleasure to meet yet.

I was on the phone yesterday with and Tanner walked over

and said " Mommy -guess what I have a loose tooth -see? " (He's going

to be 6 next month and this is his first loose tooth!!)

who reads our posts was also amazed to hear how clear and prefect

Tanner's speech was (and yes he's on the ProEFA with a touch of

ProEPA and the carn-aware carnosine too -but we don't have to talk

about that other than I'm so thrilled with how he's doing on the

mixture still!!!)

will be posting soon about an upcoming meeting and is

looking forward to answering our emails in public here on this list

vs private. She was in a horrible accident where she dove to save a

child that was falling off a swing and did something to one of the

disks in her back. has her PhD in OT, is especially

knowledgeable about sensory dysfunction and treatment (gave an

amazing lecture which was part one a few months ago) and has written

numerous articles that will greatly benefit us here.

Here is a brief overview of the June 3rd CHERAB meeting which will be

held at the beautiful and conveniently located (for those in the

area) Children's Specialized Hospital in the historic Mountainside,

NJ location. More details will be coming soon and posted to the

CHERAB site -however here is a brief overview on what will be covered

for 's presentation Part 2: For those who were fortunate to

attend the Part 1 meeting, which was so highly informative and

extremely helpful for better understanding of our children please feel free to

share (and

Cheryl SLS MA/Educational Consultant found it such a

comprehensive and brilliant presentation that will benefit

educational professionals -that she is helping to arrange for

to present through the Department of Education of which

Cheryl is the NJ State Teacher representative, and the VP of CHERAB)

From :

" Title: Supporting Your Child's Performance through an Understanding

of Sensory Processing and Arousal Levels.

Since this is such a mouthful I believe a great way to look at this

presentation is to show another way to " supplement kids diets! "

I will introduce the concept of Sensory Diets. Simply a sensory

diet is defined as our daily sensory experiences - we all have them

and need them. For many children with developmental delays or

behavioral difficulties, it is important to supplement their sensory

diet to support progress. Sensory diets cannot be supplemented by

just adding additional sensory experiences. Just as there are many

issues and behaviors to consider when supplementing children's diets

with vitamins, EFA's and amino acids, there are various components to

consider for enhancing a child's sensory diet.

I will review the various issues to consider, how to observe and

understand a child's behaviors from a sensory perspective, and actual

components/activities to consider when viewing a child's sensory

diet.

Opportunities for questions and experiential activities will also be

made available as time permits. "

Like I said -more information coming soon on this!!

=====

[Guest guest]

, I can encourage you more in the sensory area! My son who is almost 7

now, had HUGE strides in his sensory issues at about 6 1/2. The difference all

of the sudden was just amazing. He actually tries new foods now, doesn't scream

when I trim his fingernails, though he does whince while his hair is being cut

now and his transition problems are pretty much gone! Yippee!

Ok, now I've got to go search a respectable amount of vitamins and minerals

out for Austin. I knew this was something I should have done a long time ago.

Austin has DSI as well as suspected Verbal Apraxia and is also blind with LCA-

interestingly enough a disease of degenerated retina cells. (finding loads of

stuff out there as well with diet) Must say today is day three on Efalex as it

was all I could find- proEFA on order- and this morning in the car taking big

brother to school, he added *ni na* in each time on the knick knack patty whack

of this old man!!! yippee. I'll take just this and be happy.

Lynn

Austin (LCA, DSI and would love to rid ourselves of alphabet labeling) he's

wonderfully precious!

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