Sensory Processing Challenges and IEP Scheduled
Jan 10, 2017 0:22:23 GMT -5
Post by URMySunshine77 on Jan 10, 2017 0:22:23 GMT -5
Hi. My name is URMySunshine77. I've been an active member of GKU, TTC > 35, Jan 13, and April 16. I'm currently co-moderating April 16. About a year ago, at three years, my son started having some behavioral challenges, particularly aggression in the classroom and at home and difficulty with transitions. We assumed that it was a normal phase and attributed it to the impending birth of his sister.
His preschool teachers pointed out some noise sensitivities and sensory seeking behavior, but we didn't really start understanding his challenges until last July or August. We had been taking him to a psychologist, but it seemed kind of unhelpful for his needs. His teachers recommended an OT assessment, and it was determined that he has sensory seeking and sensory avoiding tendencies. He also has low core strength and difficulty with impulse control. I'm not sure if I can label him with sensory processing disorder, but he certainly has sensory processing difficulties. I feel that they affect him moderately. Some days are more challenging than others, and I noticed that sickness and a break in routine really dysregulate him.
My husband and I have always noticed that he gets overstimulated after about two hours of activity (like a zoo or aquarium) and has a sensitivity to not eating frequently enough. All of this new knowledge really clicked into place--he runs everywhere but is wobbly and not centered. He gets hyper when getting dressed or holding blankets sometimes and dislikes certain pants (tight waistbands). He often can't sit at the table and eat for long periods of time. He gets distracted and I have to read him books to keep his attention while he eats. That is probably the most challenging thing we deal with other than his inability to identify his hunger. He can really get out of control (loopy and disruptive) when hungry. We've been visiting the OT and we're trying to give him more proprioceptive input. It's challenging trying to find the right sensory diet.
On a positive note, he is linguistically advanced, perceptive, and empathetic. Regulation is such a challenge because I can see him losing control of himself but he doesn't have the maturity or body control to stop himself.
I wanted to introduce myself because I've been a bit unstable and I want to surround myself with a community of friends here. It feels healthy and I really need to reach out. I've been struggling with some PPA and PPD but don't want to take medication while nursing. I want to be a good mother to both of the kids. What I can do for every one is try to eat right, seek community, continue therapy, and do more acupuncture. I'm trying my best to be calm and patient because he gets aggressive again when I yell or get brash. My husband is slowly learning more patience too. He is intellectually gifted and I think that he struggles with the label of special needs for DS. The grieving process has been longer for him, and he's also a pessimist whereas I'm an optimist.
DS has an IEP scheduled at the end of the month for potential services through the school district (California). An OT will be evaluating him at school this Wednesday and a speech therapist and school psychologist will visit the school on Friday. Other than inviting his teachers and OT, is there anything I should do to prepare? I'm really, super-encouraging my husband to attend because he always leaves child rearing-related things up to me.
Do you think that we should take DS to a neurologist for an official diagnosis? I'm not sure what a neurologist could tell us that we don't already know. He has seen one in the past for an episode of virus-induced seizures. I am open to any advice or thoughts about your children's sensory challenges or your personal experiences. Also, in my limited reading on SPD, I've read that we need to help "rewire" his brain so that his senses become more organized. Do we do this by a regimented sensory diet? I'm feeling really overwhelmed by the responsibility for rewiring his brain.
Sorry, I'm going to edit the hell out of this post because I've had so much simmering in my brain. I read some of mrsbuttinski's thoughts on IEP, and I wanted to write some of my goals for DS in order to better prepare:
Thank you for letting me join, and thank you for sharing your experiences here. You're a group of strong and admirable parents.
His preschool teachers pointed out some noise sensitivities and sensory seeking behavior, but we didn't really start understanding his challenges until last July or August. We had been taking him to a psychologist, but it seemed kind of unhelpful for his needs. His teachers recommended an OT assessment, and it was determined that he has sensory seeking and sensory avoiding tendencies. He also has low core strength and difficulty with impulse control. I'm not sure if I can label him with sensory processing disorder, but he certainly has sensory processing difficulties. I feel that they affect him moderately. Some days are more challenging than others, and I noticed that sickness and a break in routine really dysregulate him.
My husband and I have always noticed that he gets overstimulated after about two hours of activity (like a zoo or aquarium) and has a sensitivity to not eating frequently enough. All of this new knowledge really clicked into place--he runs everywhere but is wobbly and not centered. He gets hyper when getting dressed or holding blankets sometimes and dislikes certain pants (tight waistbands). He often can't sit at the table and eat for long periods of time. He gets distracted and I have to read him books to keep his attention while he eats. That is probably the most challenging thing we deal with other than his inability to identify his hunger. He can really get out of control (loopy and disruptive) when hungry. We've been visiting the OT and we're trying to give him more proprioceptive input. It's challenging trying to find the right sensory diet.
On a positive note, he is linguistically advanced, perceptive, and empathetic. Regulation is such a challenge because I can see him losing control of himself but he doesn't have the maturity or body control to stop himself.
I wanted to introduce myself because I've been a bit unstable and I want to surround myself with a community of friends here. It feels healthy and I really need to reach out. I've been struggling with some PPA and PPD but don't want to take medication while nursing. I want to be a good mother to both of the kids. What I can do for every one is try to eat right, seek community, continue therapy, and do more acupuncture. I'm trying my best to be calm and patient because he gets aggressive again when I yell or get brash. My husband is slowly learning more patience too. He is intellectually gifted and I think that he struggles with the label of special needs for DS. The grieving process has been longer for him, and he's also a pessimist whereas I'm an optimist.
DS has an IEP scheduled at the end of the month for potential services through the school district (California). An OT will be evaluating him at school this Wednesday and a speech therapist and school psychologist will visit the school on Friday. Other than inviting his teachers and OT, is there anything I should do to prepare? I'm really, super-encouraging my husband to attend because he always leaves child rearing-related things up to me.
Do you think that we should take DS to a neurologist for an official diagnosis? I'm not sure what a neurologist could tell us that we don't already know. He has seen one in the past for an episode of virus-induced seizures. I am open to any advice or thoughts about your children's sensory challenges or your personal experiences. Also, in my limited reading on SPD, I've read that we need to help "rewire" his brain so that his senses become more organized. Do we do this by a regimented sensory diet? I'm feeling really overwhelmed by the responsibility for rewiring his brain.
Sorry, I'm going to edit the hell out of this post because I've had so much simmering in my brain. I read some of mrsbuttinski's thoughts on IEP, and I wanted to write some of my goals for DS in order to better prepare:
- That he would learn to self identify triggers and be able to self regulate/calm his body voluntarily.
- That he would develop social pragmatics to express his needs or explain stories to people.
- That he would feel more confident and less defensive during playtime with others.
- That he would develop more core strength and take more muscular challenges.
Thank you for letting me join, and thank you for sharing your experiences here. You're a group of strong and admirable parents.