[SuzBerg]

Okay - I know there are a lot of y'all who have experience with SI issues. I have a friend who's little boy (age 2) has heart issues like my E. She was saying he won't eat certain foods, hates to walk barefoot in the grass etc. and I said it sounded like he might have some sensory issues. I told her I would ask my wise, experienced guru friends about it. So wise gurus what advice would you give? Are there books, or websites etc that she could read about it? I did tell her OT would probably help but I wondered if you would have any other suggestions.

THANKS!

[zebramom]

I actually have a book here that I am passing on to some friends who have a daughter with Asbergers and SID.

The Out-of-Sync Child by Carol Stock Kranowitz.

I haven't read it, but I know lots of other people have and really liked it.

[Barksum]

The Out of Sync Child Has Fun, (a companion book to The OoS Child) by Carol Stock Kranowitz gives ideas of playful things to do with your kids. It's all about 'sensory diet' stuff. Like finger painting with pudding, "finger" painting with your feet, squishing jello between your fingers/toes, playing with shaving cream in the bathtub, walking barefoot on differently textured things, etc. I can only really remember the tactile stuff since that's what we worked with the most.

[Bippette]

I HAVE Sensory Integration Disorder. I'd advise her to find a therapist in her area that specializes in this. When the children are young their brains can be re-wired and the issues resolved.

If you wait until they are older its almost impossible to do.

This is a very, very miserable thing to have. I suffer with it daily.

[ajjhmf]

While reading those wonderful books recommended, she should talk to her p-doc abd get a referral for an OT. She might also see if her county/state offers EI services. That's the route we are going with M. Early intervention is the key here. We caught J's late (age 5) and probably won't make the headway we will make with M.

[Lylac]

I second the EI stuff. It does make a difference. Although he's 2, that will still give him a year with EI and then his services would be tranferred to the school.

It's so much easier dealing with EI and then the school, than just waiting to deal with trying to get his services started when he's school aged...my experience anyways.

[Barksum]

I tend to forget the obvious! LOL We did both the EI/OT and reading. The books give you the info you need when talking about SI stuff and make you a better informed consumer when you meet with EI and the OT.

[athikers]

The out of sync child books are great. We also have early intervention and OT treating Teeter (he has very few signs, but it can run in families and Big Sis has BIG issues with SID). We use deep pressure protocol sometimes, but usually we can regulate him just fine with different exercises, baths, etc.

[angelkisses0102]

Here's a link to a different book on a sensory website...sort of a 2 for 1 deal...the site has a great signs and symptoms checklist!
Sensational Kids Book Review

Another good site...
The SPD Network - About The SPD Network

Product sites...although we have so far rarely had to utilize these types of sites...I can usually figure things out on my own without spending the higher prices at the specialized shops. Things like a ball pit, mini tramp, sand, etc can be bought anywhere.
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Good luck to her...my DS still struggles with oral issues which effects what he eats (not much still)...and has internal regualtion and some visual issues that also impact eating. This is probably our biggest remaining battle. But we are slowly getting there. I was actually able to mismatch the top and bottom of a sippy cup yesterday and he drank from it! (That's huge here!...excuse the brag.)

All the best to your friend...a good knowledgeable OT is a must. Our pedi was NO help...and I had to fight her to get the referral to EI. I finally went through the school district once DS turned 3 and that has been where he has made his greatest strides.