For any occupational therapists that work with these children, or for preschool/primary teachers that may have or have had a student like this, I want to know more about it. What do you do for them? I've heard its like sending a child to speech therapy. It just works itself out. How long does it take usually?
babybear330682000
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My son was actually diagnosed with Sensory Integration Disorder when he was 3. He did receive OT to help us learn ways to help him. i.e. how to get him to accept a toothbrush into his mouth (we were able to massage his gums with our finger tips), how to get his hands dirty (we were so proud the first time he played with catsup), to allow us to brush his hair (he still doesn't like his head washed or brushed). Also for the oral part of it he used a medium hard rubber "hammer" which he would chew on. The OT gave us the hammer which he used often for about a year then began weining himself. Unfortunatly he began putting his fingers in his mouth. Similar to a man who decides he is going to quit smoking cigarettes but takes up "dipping" or cigars! By the way, he would not accept ANY type of pacifier as an infant (he would gag). We did many things with him like letting him lift heavy things(couch cushion) to help him relax. This was said to release some type of chemical in his body. We also had a special brush that we had to be trained to use. A soft squeeze ball. There are many options for these children to help them through. Treatment varies on the degree. He is now 6 and he has learned how to deal with much of it but still needs steered on occasions. One of the things he does now is pick up very small things to manipulate with his fingers. It may be a little micro sized Hot Wheel car, a pencil gripper, etc. Although he does seem drawn to things with certain textures. He is attracted to things that feel much like the "rabbit foot" key chains. There are also certain cat toys that he likes the feel of. (I know it sounds crazy!) Other concerns he has is the fact he can't stand the sound of certain things like loud cars and he doesn't like crowds of people. Even with immediate family like family gatherings such as cook out, birthday parties, Christmas, etc. The best way we have found to deal with this part is to arrive 15-20 minutes early at social gatherings. In restaurants we attempt to let him sit with his back to the crowd. He is a very bright little boy with no physical or mental concerns. He has been to preschool, kindergarten, and is now in the first grade. Each and every teacher has fallen in love with him!! I am very proud of my little angel.
baldisbeautiful
I'm not an OT but I am a sped teacher with some students with sensory integration difficulties. Kids with SI probelms often find sounds, textures, colors or other things that seem normal to us unbearable. For whatever reason they cant stand the sound of the lights humming or the feel of long sleeves, or the color of the walls in a room. It's like nails on a chalkboard. These students can be overly sensitive to stuff, or under sensitive. One common way of treating this (or at least help kids cope with it) is a sensory "diet." Kids with tactile defensivness (dont like the feel of things) spend part of their morning having their extrtemities brushed with a surgical brush or some other rough-feeling object. Or they do special exercises where they roll on the floor or on a large ball. Every kid is unique and an OT would have to prescribe a specific regimen for each kid. I hope this helps. Happy new year.
Stacey S
I was a student in occupational therapy. Unfortunately there are many kind of sensory integration problems. Some sensory integration techniques include spinning, bouncing, and other types of movement. Also vibration and tactile stimulation such as using different textures to help the child. It really just depends on what the problem is but its usually really fun for the kids.
dolphin mama
Sensory Integration Disorders are fascinating... some fantastic books are The Out-of-Sync Child and The Out-of-Sync Child Has Fun by Carol Stock Kranowitz (can be bought on amazon.com). These books can really help you understand the needs of children with SID. Children who have problems regulating their sensory processing systems can receive "therapy" to help integrate their systems to have better responses to incoming stimuli. But, this is not a "cure-all" where the child will be "cured" of SID. These therapies can help a child to be able to respond appropriately to incoming stimulation, instead of having a hyper-sensitive reaction or hypo-sensitive one. Therapy often consists of deep pressure activities to help the proprioceptive system, and movement activities for regulating the vestibular system. Another great book for some ideas to try for children with SID is called Building Bridges. People deal with SI issues all their lives. I still can't go to a movie in the theater- the sounds and images are too much for my sensory system to handle, and I get nauseous to the point where I have to leave. Therapy can help, but it can not completely make your sensory system "normal". Read up on it, it is fascinating to learn about, and you will find all kinds of information that you can use with other "typically" developing children that can help.
Anonymous
It is also known by other names that you might want to search for including Sensory Integration Dysfunction and Sensory Defensiveness.
It doesn't necessarily work itself out. Occupational therapists can help you develop what is called a 'sensory diet' which will help improve sensory integration. It is not likely to just go away.
You also might want to read "The Out-of-Sync Child: Recognizing and Coping with Sensory Processing Disorder"
Here is a link to the book on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_b/104-2164100-0795943?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=The+Out+of+Sync+Child