When Senses Don't Make Sense

We've finally started sensory therapy with Shawn this week. So far he seems to be doing well.

We're already learning some things to try with him. His sensory issues revolve around his brain not seeming to process the sensory stimulation he's already getting, so he craves more. He wants to jump and bounce and roll around. He usually wants something in his mouth, whether it's his thumb, his fingers, the caps to markers in his classroom, or anything else. In some ways he's like the puppy, and in fact he and not the dog is responsible for chewing on the Wii controller. The therapy process is at least confirming that these are legitimate issues, though, and not just disobedience.

One thing we've learned this week involves deep pressure when he's touched. For example, when we or his teachers need his attention he rarely responds if he's just touched gently, say on his shoulder or arm. If we press a bit harder so it's more at the muscle rather than just the skin, though, he tends to have a better response. We'll continue to try this and see if it helps at home and school.

We're also going to get him to try some coping techniques on his own. When he is upset or gets over excited we'll be asking him to try a trick the therapist taught him. He's to put his arms on his lap (if he's sitting) and put his palms together. With palms pressed together, he's to squeeze his hands together as hard as he can. It's supposed to give him the sensation of pressure on his palms and thighs plus make his arms and shoulders work to squeeze his hands.

I'm pleased with our first week of therapy, and hope things continue to go well. Now we just need a fun name for our little hand squeeze we'll be asking him to do.

Any thoughts on a fun name a 6-year-old might like for the little squeeze your hands together trick we'll be working on?

From the hand to the mouth

It’s official--Shawn has been diagnosed with sensory processing disorder (SPD), a neurological disorder that makes in difficult for his brain to process stimulation through the senses. He has several unique (at least to us) symptoms that made us concerned that something was wrong. For one thing, he touches EVERYTHING. When walking through a store, he doesn't look with his eyes, he feels with his fingers.

He also chews. A lot. Those fingers that have just touched everything are typically in his mouth, which is not real good for him during flu season. His teacher is out of markers--he's chewed the caps off all of them. This summer he finally was able to stop sucking his thumb all the time (though he still does some), but now it's fingers and objects instead of thumb. Here he is during circle time with hands in mouth.

After starting some research into "oral fixation" as a guess for his situation, I found references to SPD or SID-sensory integration disorder. I made an appointment with a pediatrician, who wholeheartedly recommended occupational therapy testing (within only a few minutes of seeing Spark in the office--it was an enlightening visit!)

He loved the sensory testing process at the OT office, especially the trampoline and ball pit. I found the process fascinating, because some things we did not particularly consider a part of this disorder became obvious during the testing.

Our next step is scheduling the OT visits for sensory therapy. We'll get started after the first of the year. Fortunately, he sees it as fun--he can't wait!

Can I have a massage with some aromatherapy for my part of his sensory therapy?