[suburbanmomgw]

Just wondering of others' experiences with SI. I have only just found out that our son is having trouble in this area...began reading "the out of sync child" and he is receiving OT. He just turned 2yr. and has been home only 4 mths. Any input will be helpful. Thanks.

[3inCO]

Hi! As a preschool teacher, I have worked with several children who have sensory integration issues, in addition, my oldest son has dealt with pieces of this as well, althought never officially diagnosed. Most of the kids that I have worked with did especially well when diagnosed early and with a good OT. they have so many exercises that help with these issues. My son use to be extremely sensitive to sound, smell, texture to the point where he would tell me (at two) that he could not stand to listen to some people's voices, the litterally grated on his nerves. Loud noises sent him over the edge. Little by little with gentle exposure to things he has learned to deal. He is still extemely sentive emotionally (at 8 1/2) and has some anxiety issues that I attribute to SI issues. I think it's a wonderful sign that your son is getting help so early. In general I learned that the kids I worked with who had SI issues were very tuned into everything, very bright and sensitive individuals. Hang in there and keep communication open with the OT as well and work on any exercises they give you for "homework" Good Luck!

Becky

[mom4jc]

My almost six year old is diagnosed with si dysfunction and he has been a challenge, mainly because we didn't "get" what was going on with him. We received him in our home at 14 months and he was very sensitive to noise...at first we thought it was volume, but it really is more the fear of the feeling of being startled. He is very bright and aware of what bothers him...being able to verbalize their fears and discomforts is crucial. We've had him in OT and they had lots of interesting input...he is very sensitive to food textures and will throw up if something unexpected(such as a nut) is in his food. He has developed some phobias to the point where we have just started him on an anti-anxiety med...but: he is the neatest kid! We love him so much. He's just a little quirky, that's all! He understands that he "feels things differently" than other people and that's ok. He's in regular ed, with an awareness on the part of the teacher for things that might upset him..be glad you know what's going on with him at a young age...sometimes it's tough but that's true with all kids.

[ChristyES]

My 5 y.o. f/a son has si. Here are some of the things that cause problems:

Socks!!!!! They drive him crazy. They have to be perfect, not too loose, not to tight.

Velcro shoes especially sandals are a nightmare. He is always adjusting them until they feel right. Sometimes we can't get out the door because of it.

He's very sensitive to temperature. Complains that his ears are cold all the time?

Very floppy, he is constantly leaning on others. Bumping into walls or others or jumping on them.

Throwing and catching are soooo difficult.

Writng is a real challenge.

The Out of Sync' Child and Activities for the Out of Sync' Child are great books. Wonderful activities.

[suburbanmomgw]

I am encouraged to hear of others and how to handle SI. Since we are just starting out, I am gathering knowledge where ever I can. I am also craving support. It seems that there are many ways that SI manifests itself. I talked with my pediatrician, and he also said be patient...re-evaluate every 6 mths... progress is slow, but early therapy is great.

This morning we are going with our OT to a pool. We are hoping to be able to swim/go to the beach this summer...I'm not so sure! I fight feelings of resentment about that (and other things that Alex "keeps me from doing"). Hopefully, the OT will help me help him.

Alex doesn't seem too freaked out about clothes and how they feel...but I does PREFER shoes to bear feet/being dressed to bear skin. He is very changeable--sometimes liking something and the same thing another day ellicits a negative reaction! Communication is still very hard. Not sure what's the 2 yr old rebellion and what's not being understood/processed! We have begun special deep massage times to help him--and await a brush that has been ordered, to help him calm.

He rocks and bangs while sleeping and to get to sleep. I am begining to get used to that...I hear of many other post-institutionalized children doing this for a long time.

Any experiences and thoughts still greatly appreciated.
Beth

[mom4jc]

My 6 year old came to us as a 14 month old and rocked himself constantly while in his crib, from side to side holding a pillow. The greatest thing for him was when he was able to ride on a spring rocking horse...he practically wore the thing out! He also ended up sleeping at night in a rocking recliner...we'd put him to bed in his bedroom and in the morning, there he'd be in the recliner. He learned to pump himself on the swing at an early age, again a type of rocking. The cool thing is, now, at 6 he no longer needs to do all those things! As a matter of fact until I read your post, I'd kind of forgotten about those things! So don't despair , these kids aren't "stuck" in thir behaviors. They evolve and find new ways to handle all the sensory input they receive daily.Oh and that resentment you feel...been there! Especially since I have a 3 year old who doesn't have these issues. I want to go and do stuff but know that David will freak out. It's hard to know how far to push...sometimes I've just started taking Hannah, because it's not fair for her to miss out, y'know?

[HappyMomAnna]

Our son started evaluations in January just after he turned two. He started OT in early March and it has been completely amazing!

SI--issues can be the most unusual things...such as our son has issues eating mashed potatos....and whip cream! Food textures are a really big issue for him as well as TEMPS he is very sensitive to hot and cold.

Some children have issues with noise--and others smells--some with clothes and others with the visual situations.

Jeremiah cannot stand the wind--but loves to have rain fall on his head....He hates the bath but loves to hold the water hose on the patio while it runs... He hates all clothes and would rather be nude! Loves sandles and hates shoes...likes one car seat made with corded fabric and hates the one with a velvety finish.

He will not allow his teeth to be brushed with tooth paste--but has no problem with my whiping his mouth with listerine (yuck!) He will not drink a ruit smoothy but loves raw friut...

He cannot stand to have dirty hands but hates the feeling of soap--and won't use a paper towel but will use dish towels... He cannot stand a bush on his hari but has no problem with a comb...

He will play for hours in a sand box but will not touch goo...like shaving cream....

Our role at home has been to work with him in areas that are unusual....like putting all his plastic animals in a pile of shaving cream and having him pull them out.... finger painting and so many other things we might not even think of...

Over time I have seen major imporvements and he is doing so much better....It seems the hardest issue he is overcoming is sound...things are so lould to him...He does not talk but he can make the oddest sounds...Like Shhhhh for a spry bottle--or Ruff for a dog...

[mom4jc]

Here's the weird thing about sound and our little guy: we used to think it was the volume of sound that was getting him...thought maybe his hearing was extremely acute. It turns out that he actually has a slight hearing loss. As he's gotten older and is able to verbalize more, he's shed some light on the real issue for him. He says it" hurts his heart" when noises come unexpectedly...that basically it's the startle reaction, that jump of your heart which is bothering him. He is bothered by the actual event of being startled by sound and by the anticipation and dread of something being startling...so he's kind of always got his guard up. Not a real relaxing way to go through life!

[HappyMomAnna]

I am pretty sure I have always had sensory issues myself. We know I have dyslexia but as I have learned about SI I understand so much about my childhood as well as my BIO daughter...

I have hearing loss too but, deep pain with sudden lould noises--Like if my husband is driving and releases the emergency break it just KILLS me... Banks and BOoms hurt literally in my body so I can see how a child would say it hurts his heart...

At 4th of July I have to use ear plugs--and I have never been able to use head phones.... I cannot usually hear the TV but if it is too lould I can't stand the pain....The telephone is hard too. Over the years I have had my hearing tested and retested and it is POOR--yet the doctors never know how to deal with why the lould sounds make me feel like I am having a panic attack?

I also expereince terrible problems with smells. I have complained all my life about a "Wake Up" smell I get right as my body goes from the moment of sleep to being away I am flooded with a terrible smell to me is it like metal cleaners...After a sleep program a few years ago because I grind my teeth and sleep so deeply that I wet the bed even as an adult the doctors informed me that they think I am smelling the Hormone that makes you wake up!!!!!?? Apparently it is very rare! And apparently I sleep so deeply that I skip REM.

I have no idea what I did in life to get by--No one knew about Sensory Issues when I was a child they hardly knew about Dyslexia -- and somehow I managed in life. Now that I am learnign about my son I sometimes feel guilty about my oldest daughter Tori because I can see that she had some real sensory issues....The good news is that she and I both are well educated--and seemed to function in life once we figured out ways around our own issues.

[kamamsm]

Our b/s has sensory issues. I always knew there was something- but couldn't understand what. From babyhood - baths -which were supposed to be soothing- made him cry. Tags on clothing- loud noises- and even when he was learning to read ( we homeschool) he couldn't stand the feel of paper on his hands. (We decided to lotion his hands before his reading lesson & then he could turn the pages.) Try a Dr who deals with occupational issues. Good luck

[pcav]

I don't know where you live, but here in TX, I work for the school district in a program called PPCD (preschool program for children with disabilities). We get children from ages 3 - 5 yrs in a half day program where we work on individual education goals for sensory issues, autisim, speech delays, - all sorts of issues from mild to severe. PTs, OTs, speech therapists, Music therapists, vision specialists, whatever your child needs come in on a weekly basis in addition to the work we do. There is also such thing as ECI - early childhood intervention (children under 3) where therapists come to your home or daycare to work with your child. All of this is no charge to you. They are provided through the school district. You might want to call them and find out what programs they have available, and where you can take your child for testing.

Best of luck

[suburbanmomgw]

Thanks! Keep the info. flowing! I feel better already--knowing of others going thru this. It is very hard to handle and to explain to friends and family. I am beginning to see how to respond and plan for certain things with Alex. But I also am still very frustrated and exhausted. Seeing the many "faces" of SI from all of you is great. I am encouraged to hear about the 6yr old--and the early years seeming far away...I look forward to that! I don't want to wish away my days, but I do take comfort in knowing that it won't always be this way. I also like the rocking horse idea. Took Alex to a playground that had one and he loved it. Hate to wait til Chistmas, may have make up an excuse for such a gift (the other older 2 will want things too--) Have also been thinking of a small trampoline--someone told me they make them for small children with a handle to hold while bouncing! I think if ALex could, he would bounce constantly. My arms are getting quite the workout! (wanna arm restle?
(I have taken advantage of the Early Intervention. He is getting OT and Speech therapy)
Thanks again all. You have my heart.
--Beth

[mom4jc]

Check out Leaps and Bounds Company (800)477-2189/www.leapsandboundscatalog.com...mini-trampoline with handle:$89.95...my kids love it! Very good activity for SI!