[mommytoEli]

my poor eli......i posted a while back that he trips and falls ALL THE TIME. well, we went to the PT today...with a fresh bruise on his cheek, beat up legs and knees, and freshly cut open tongue...all from trips and falls from toe walking just this week.

well...pt says he is "text book" sensory integration disorder. he seriously walks so high up on his toes...he doesn't even walk on the ball of his foot...just the toes. so..i just spent the day brushing my kid every 2 hours with a brush. he LOVED it....i felt weird. but i guess it is supposed to help him. i don't really get it.

so i know that mindybeth6's dd has this....anyone else?

[mommamarci]

I am not a Guat mom, but my son has sensory issues as well. We have tried the brushing thing. It did not seem to help us much. Does Eli have feeding issues? That is Cameron's main area of issue. He is currently getting speech, physical, and occuaptional therapy through early intervention and speech privately...

[gwenrenee007]

Oh poor Eli. I hope it gets better. I have heard of hte brushing thing too.

[mommytoEli]

Originally Posted by mommamarci

I am not a Guat mom, but my son has sensory issues as well. We have tried the brushing thing. It did not seem to help us much. Does Eli have feeding issues? That is Cameron's main area of issue. He is currently getting speech, physical, and occuaptional therapy through early intervention and speech privately...

he DOES have feeding issues...i kind of forget about them bc i just got used to the fact that eli wouldn't eat anything creamy, white, or slippery/smooth....bc i got tired of him vomiting anytime these things went in his mouth, i just stopped serving them. i just stuck with other stuff....and i guess that wasn't what i was supposed to do. who knew? i even cancelled the OT appt that was made for him when he was a baby, bc i figured i got him to eat other things so it must not be a big deal. i guess i was wrong there too. i'm 0 for 2.

i also didn't think about the fact that he scratches up his back by his collar and by his pant line. he has been drawing blood daily since he was a baby....right by where the tags are. between his mongolian spots and constant dried bloody scabs...he is quite a sight. he also has this thing about shoes...where he wants them on all the time. i didn't realize how bad it was until pt took them off and he freaked, "put on my shoes and socks, don't touch my feet!" lol....i never put it all together.

she said eli is mostly "tactile." i'll have to do more reading. my only concern is that he learn to walk normally so he will stop falling on his face! i'm sad the brushing thing didn't work for your son. i'm a little skeptical myself....but his pt swears it will work. one thing for sure is he LOVES it...so i guess at the very least it is a good bonding time.

[DeeVee]

Oh, poor Eli! I hope you and the PT are able to figure out the best ways to help him. I feel guilty -- I was one of the ones who said don't worry about the tripping .

[mommytoEli]

Originally Posted by DeeVee

Oh, poor Eli! I hope you and the PT are able to figure out the best ways to help him. I feel guilty -- I was one of the ones who said don't worry about the tripping .

don't feel guilty...i'm the mom who kept overlooking all the signs. i live with him. i didn't worry until he kept cutting open his face. poor eli..... see what he has to put up with

[mommamarci]

My son refuses to wear shooes!

Cameron has severe feeding issues. He is 21 months and still completely on baby food. He gags and vomits on anything semi-solid. He also gags when he gets stuff on his hands. (Like baby food spilled, frosting, etc.)

I have heard great things about the brushing. It is a pain, but at least he tolerates it. Cameron fought it.

Good luck!

[mommytoEli]

yeah, eli gags and shoots vomit if it isn't solid. lol. funny how kids are different. eli doesn't even like whip cream. what the heck? see...that's why i had a hard time....i was like, so what if he doesn't like baby food, he liked finger food...so i got over it. and who needs soft foods- he can do without eggs, noodles, bananas, whip cream, mashed potatoes, etc, as long as he'll eat fruit, veggies, and chicken. when i came in today and told my mom what the doctor said, we remembered the last time eli got a piece of egg in his mouth and threw up all over her couch during a party. fun times

i'm sorry cameron is still eating baby food. he's missing out and how much work that must be for you!!!! i spent 5 days this week puree'ing everything for eli bc he busted open his tongue in 3 places (from one of his latest falls!) and couldn't eat solid foods. man....i couldn't keep the blender clean, and i ran out of ideas. that kid had soup and smoothies for every meal....and we went out to eat and forgot to bring him food, and had to ask the restaurant to puree his soup! ...and i only had to do it for 5 days! i'm sending you a virutal gift...you deserve it!

[guatparents2be]

wow, i'm sorry that poor eli is dealing with this.

i have to say that although this is a difficult diagnosis, i am relieved as i was worrying that the toe walking was muscular dystrophy. i am so glad you posted an update.

i have read about the brushing, and that it should be done in a very particular way with joint compression as well. just thought i'd mention it as some folks posting have not had results??

my thoughts are with you guys. it sounds like he is in good hands.

[mommytoEli]

Originally Posted by guatparents2be

wow, i'm sorry that poor eli is dealing with this.

i have to say that although this is a difficult diagnosis, i am relieved as i was worrying that the toe walking was muscular dystrophy. i am so glad you posted an update.

i have read about the brushing, and that it should be done in a very particular way with joint compression as well. just thought i'd mention it as some folks posting have not had results??

my thoughts are with you guys. it sounds like he is in good hands.

trust me...i was telling my dh last night i was afraid he had md or cp...so this is better than both of those. and yes, i learned to brush the right way (holding the brush the right way, stroking up and down... with the right pressure, 3 times, without ever lifting the brush.....whew!), with compressions and all. i have to do it every 2 hours that he is awake for 2 weeks, 3 times a day after that for 2 weeks, and then we go back to the pt. i REALLY REALLY hope it helps. bc again, it is weird. it makes me feel weird. it might be the weirdest thing i have ever had to do as a mom....but again, eli loves loves loves it, and if it helps, i will do anything!

[amyfk]

I want to wish you son best of luck with the sensory therapy.
Amy K, NJ

[CurlysGirly]

Awww, poor little tippy toes Eli! We are a brushing family here. My 5 year old loves it! We also do these little tugs on his joints. I just got him a weighted vest which has been a hit. He sleeps with a weighted blanket at night across his lap.

Honestly, I ran into DS's former EI coordinator today and I think Devon needs help with oral therapy. She gags at the thought of eating (and NO it is not my cooking....lol) and then gags while eating. Poor bug! I've been doing some stuff that I know to do like brushing the insides of her cheeks and gums and having her drink from a straw.

Give that little sugar plum a hug from us

[gwenrenee007]

since you guys mention the shoe thing...I have been thinking. Mia HATES to have sandals on unless she has socks on, although she is starting to get used to it. Also she has a a total hair fetish. She ALWAYS plays with my hair when I pick her up and tries to eat my hair. I am wondering if it is SI disorder? or maybe I am just over concerned? I guess I will have to talk to her ped.

[judymend]

MommytoEli, you are such an awesome mom, your love for sweet Eli is transparent and beautiful to see.

I pray that Eli will get better and better, and with a mom like you, he's certainly on his way Hugs for you both

Blessings

[Theslaws]

Im glad to hear you are getting some answers! I work with kids with SI issues and have seen lots of great results with brushing! It certainly doesnt work for everyone but what in life meets everyones needs? It does seem wierd to do but really makes a difference for some kids. It helps to "reset" their neurological system by providing them with consistent and organized sensory input.

Do they have you setup to see an Occupational Therapist also? Hopefully your PT knows one that specializes in SI issues. I would definately get him going in OT too!

Try not to feel guilty. Lots of people miss the signs just because they dont know! The important thing is now you are doing what he needs and acknowledging that he is having trouble!

Good luck and happy brushing!!