[mj77]

I brought my currently almost-3 1/2 year old into see his Pediatrician a while back with some concerns about his sleeping (or lack of). He is a very restless guy and can't seem to put himself to sleep very well. This has been going on about 6 mo. now. Because of his drug exposure in utero, she says he is at a higher likelihood of been ADD/ADHD as it is a neurological issue. She believes his thought could be racing at that time and that's why he's not settling down. I agree with this to a degree. He is an antcy boy, high energy but not quite hyper. I was told when he got into school we may have a better idea of what was going on.

So he started pre-school this year twice a week in the 3's class. He loves it and is doing very well. The thing is, he comes home, strips to his underwear and he is floppy and doing flips until he eats his lunch (if I can even get him to sit), then grabs his blanket, and zones out in front of Mr. Rodgers. I have no doubt that he does this as he is on sensory overload. It must take a lot out of him to participate in class for 2 1/2 hours and socializing. Well, the last couple of weeks I've noticed him having his four fingers stuffed in his mouth just hanging there. I have been told that presure on the lower jaw (as well as sucking on things) releases a chemical that soothes a person.

I was telling my aunt (who adopted a special needs child) about all this and how in restaraunts we can't get our son to sit. It is just over stimulating to him. We weren't sure whether it might be an ADD issue with him not being able to focus on the task we ask of him, or if he is dealing with a sensory issue and to overloaded to calm down--or both. She suggested having him jump up and down (making it a game) and that there is also a chemical that is released in the brain while doing this that will calm him if it is a sensory issue. If he doesn't, perhaps it could be an ADD issue.

So, yesterday he was wound up and I had him jumping. Shortly after he was done (within less than a minute) he was down on the floor rolling his truck back and fourth with his hands in his mouth again. He has always played with his cars/trucks to soothe himself in the past.

I have talked with the Dr. since. She wants to watch it for awhile. He is doing so good in school now and making friends. She thinks what I have been doing is okay at home. What are your thoughts anyone? Any suggestions from any of you that have BTDT?

[kamamsm]

Could you pick him up an hour earlier and see if there's a change in him? I'm betting sensory issues because my bio sensory charged baby could not stand nursery school! The noise/ the chaos/ - he cried & cried & cried-- I wouldn't leave him ( watched through a window and went back in and took him home.)

[qs mom]

My son is 4 and definitely had sensory issues. You can call your school district and request an evaluation. At 3, they may refer you to Early Intervention.

If it is SI, you want to start therapy ASAP. The younger the better.

My son did wonderfully in nursery school 2 hours a day - but when pre-K came and he had to go full time - it was a horrible scene.

If the evaluation shows nothing, you've lost nothing but a couple of hours. If it does show delays or issues, you can start therapies and techniques.

Also, reading The Out of Sync Child really helped me. I could see my son on every other page.

[mj77]

I am going to pick up the book The Out of Sync Child as I've heard good things about it. He is only in school 2 times a week for 2 1/2 hours and absolutely loves it. It would be difficult to pull him out early--though I would do it if needed. The teacher is aware of what's going on though she swears he is doing very well in class.

Any tips on calming techniques other that what I named for kids with SI?

[leenab]

BTDT and then some.

Raj has ADHD & SID, is hyposensitive, meaning not getting enough stimulation. I loved "Out of Sync Child" & "Out of Sync Child has Fun." Raj completed his OT last month and I learned a lot about providing the right type of environment for him.

We do a ton of shaving cream activities. Writing letters in it and putting toys in it, pretending it's snow. We also brush him on a very regular basis, in the beginning it was once an hour. Now we're down to about 5 times a day. We also have a trampoline in the living room for him to jump on. He's usualyl on it 10 times a day or more. Joint compressions are also another option, but we prefer the trampoline and walking on your hands. On really bad days I give him a peice of gum to chew on. You wouldn't believe it, but on a really bad day he chewed the sleeve off of his shirt. He still has days where he'll start to chew something, but it's about once a month that it happens now. He's on a sensory diet, meaning we have a schedule of activities to rpovide stimulation. We encourage him to snack on crunchy things, his favorite is celery & carrots.

Are there texures that set off your son? Do sounds set him off?

I think you can definately work around his preschool schedule. It wouldn't hurt to have him evaluated by an OT. And let the OT decide if he needs therapy.

-LeenaB

[mj77]

Interesting! It has been only in the past several months we've seen a lot of this. He is constantly asking me to "walk him on his hands" where I grab his feet. Hmmm. Jumping seem to work for him so I will buy a trampaline. He loves playdough, shaving creams, and stuff like that. That's why I origionally passed it up as a SI issue. He does not liked to be patted softly on the back (same with me) and has actually asked me to "burp him" like his baby brother. I do it playfully and he laughs and enjoys it--not wanting me to stop. He can be quite a wiggle worm too. I am not sure if he is getting to much sensory imput or not enough, or not enough of the right kind. He has also been telling me when something is too loud like the TV (when it's not, unless my dh and I are becomeing hard of hearing). He has no problem with white noise and it helps him "zone out". I will contact EI again. He was evaluated at an early age but was appearently in the normal range. I know something isn't right. Although we are functioning fine and overall he seems to be dealing with it okay, I want to help him before something becomes worse. Thanks, please keep imput coming..

[mj77]

I just called and left a message with EI. I will stay on thier tail to get an inhome evaluation. I was just checking on him. He LOVES the super nintendo. I am shocked that he can pass so many (at least 3) of the Mario levels when he's just been playing less than a month. Do you think he gets some sort of positive imput from using his hands with the controller? He plays the nintendo for short periods of time, goes away for hours then gets back on for 10 min or so... maybe I am over annalizing, do you think I am?

[qs mom]

You may want to have them evaluate him at home and at school. Is there anyway for you to observe him at school without him seeing you? You could see what he's doing and what could be the problems.

If he's getting a little overstimulated there, and then coming home, that could be the problem.

Or maybe the structure there is better for him and home is a little less structured?

My son's daycare/pre-school has 1 way mirrors to every room, so I can just watch him through the window and he doesn't know I'm there. Too many kids in class can really throw him off. Transitioning is also difficult for him - going from one activity to another.

Could your son need a little more school?

[leenab]

Yes I agree about having him evaluated at school as well. The teachers told me Raj was great at school. Well, a teachers idea of great is very different from an OT or even parent's idea of great. Raj JUST played in the sand. That was it. It calmed him down, but he was playing in the sand almost 6 hours a day. He didn't know colors, letters, numbers, and barely talked. So I pulled him in June, realizing something was going on. Now he's homeschooled and starting to read. In JUly he was dx with developmental dealys, adhd, SID, possible FAS (yes his behaviors were that "off") At least now, after seeing a geneticist we know there's NO FAS. And he is no longer delayed but ahead of his age.

Will he always have ADHD & SID, most likely yes. But he's very managable given the right environment and teacher (right now me).

Nintendo is very stimulating, visually, tactile (holding that controler), and auditory (all of those great sounds). I can understand why your son only wants 10 minutes of it. SID has a fine line between being under stimulated (hyposensitive) and over stimulated (hypersenstive).

Raj is pretty much hyposensitive meaning he seeks out stimulation. His best friend is hypersensitive meaning everything stimulates him too much an he retreats. Both boys are at extreme opposites, so playdates are very interesting. They do tend to cycle between C calming Raj and Raj stimulating C. Which is good for both of them.

You may want to find some other children in your area with SID to schedule playdates with. We found C just by accident through Mothers & More (non-profit group). It just happened that both boys also had a sports class together at the YMCA. And I had a mom friend who was on a similar SID journey. Which trust me you're going to need.

Hang in there,
LeenaB

[qs mom]

I bought my son a V-Smile for Christmas. I really hope that he likes the video aspect. He always seems interested in watching other kids play video games.

[suburbanmomgw]

I am comforted by all of you out there experiencing SI...

Our son is somewhat of a puzzle--overstimulated by some things, understimulated by others--sometimes it depends on the day!

I agree seek therapy from someone who knows SI. We are receiving services both from a SI specialist and from Early Intervention. Read those out of sync books--great ideas in there. And provide appropriate outlets for his behaviors.

We have drastically changed our lifestyle so that it can be less overstimulating for our son. Noise, textures, bright lights, foods...all affect him. Mostly he can't unwind at the end of the day--and sleep is difficult. He also "holds it together" in public situations and lets loose with behaviors once home or in the car where it's safe. Your teacher may truely not see any problems! I was thinking I was crazy because everyone thought he was fine!

Usually ADD/ADHD isn't diagnosed until they are older. Just monitor and take notes on what sets off certain behaviors. The more "in tune" you are, the more you can help avoid those situations.

[mj77]

Well, EI is going to be doing an OT Screening on him. The lady I spoke with said she's 99% sure he wont qualify for services through them as he is socially on target, his speach is on target and he is able to dress himself, eat... basically he is not severe enough for them. Well, that's great, but there's still a problem. He is not going to sleep well. It takes him well over an hour to fall asleep and that is after much moving around. The lady on the phone said that they will make some recomendations for therapists that specialize in SID and there will be a sensory diet he will probably be put on--which I learned didn't mean food diet. She said something about massages to help him go to sleep. Does anyone know anything about that? Hmm, I could use some of that too I think. All your imput has been so helpful. I think our son is over and understimulated and I am just trying to figure him out. Thanks all.

[suburbanmomgw]

If he doesn't qualify for EI svc. you will want to call your insurance company to try to get an SI specialist that's covered...that can take some time making calls. Specifically ask about SI therapy for pediatrics. There really is that specialty! Private svc. can be expensive! Our therapy is twice a week with a $20 co-pay...it's cheaper than the $100 a session out of pocket! And the evaluation they did would have cost $600! but was also only $20.

As for sleep. Boy can I relate! Alexander has a really hard time getting to sleep. We do a lot of calming things before bed. (That's a sensory diet--sorry you thought food--of course you did!)Massage is great. Just get some lotion and really squeeze and rub...almost pulling down the arms and legs. It's called deep pressure--and Alexander loves it. Also, check the texture of his sheets and PJ's...no tags...maybe even flannel or knit sheets. (I will be trying that out for Christmas) You can even try lavender scent in the room. But I find having him walk on his hands--like a wheel barrow, me holding his legs--is very calming. Also, rocking chair, rocking horse, and vibrating toys--Ever seen those vibrating back massagers that look like bugs? Alexander sleeps with one on in his bed!

Hope these things help. Hang in there!

[mj77]

This is good stuff...okay, we used to lotion him up before bed doing similar to what you said because he had dry skin as a baby, and he slept great. I bathe him at night because he does better and is more soothed. We also used the lavender shampoos (which I personally love) and so I will try lotioning him up before bed. He wont sleep in his bed. He only wants the hall floor with our door open. We've tried carying him to bed when he sleeps (he just gets back up), we tried bribing (he's not interested), initially we tried scolding (quickly learned that didn't work). Our carpets are relatively clean. We don't have shoes on in the house but it still doesn't make me feel really comfortable with him on the floor. He has a fleace like Bob The Builder blanket that is a favorite. Forget the other blankets, that's his main interest. I will check out pajamas too, to some trial and error to see what fabrics seem to to the best. Thanks so much!

[mj77]

Okay, I've got to give you all an update. I had our son evaluated by an occupational therapist and it is DEFINATELY sensory integration dysfuntion we are dealing with and not ADD/ADHD (as far as we can see). I shared some things with her about our son and she was finishing my sentences!

Our son's sleeping habits, how he wouldn't just go to sleep, well, we've been trying to soothe him by giving him a bath at night and winding down the night. Come to find out we were doing the opposite of what we should be. He seeks imput and he hasn't been going to sleep at night as he lacks that sensory imput! The therapist suggested having him do some heavier work at night to help him, like scooting a box of his trucks around, or playing "wheel barrol" (which he loves). The light bulbs are coming on now .

I thought too the reason why he stripped when he'd get home from preschool was from over stimulation, but he was actually wound down and seeking imput by removing his close and doing his "bump and crash" as he could get more imput without his close than with.

He has been sleeping better at night and I have learned how to balance out his day better--and this was just from one evaluation. He goes in again next month for further screening. But I want to thank all of you for your imput and insights and encouragement for me to get our son and us the help we need. I am currantly reading the Out of Sync Child and it is great.

Thanks again,
Melissa