Just wondering if anyone has experienced a child that "licks" things? My son has developmental delays, he currently sees a Speech therapist (for feeding problems); Nutritionist; developmental specialist; and physical therapist - we are awaiting a sensory evaluation from an Occupational therapist but I'm just trying to get a better understanding of "sensory issues". He doesn't like to touch things with his hands but wants to lick them. Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!
Hi, I don't have any experience with the licking. But my son was diagnosed with SID (Sensory Integrated Disfunction) at 16 months. We did all of the therapys that you are doing. He is now 4 years old and only has speech delays. So keep up with the therapy- It works! My son started off in the NICU for a week, so I have been there. Good Luck to you :)
My son is 5 years old and has just some fine motor and gross motor delays (just slightly awkward)-- his preschool teacher recommended an Occupational Therapist. We had him in therapy for 6 months when he was 4 (we did a home program from age 3-4) for handwriting and it worked very well. But.... then we noticed that all of the other benefits we got from OT (social, emotional, and bladder control) started to go away and I just re-enrolled him in OT weekly. I knew he had sensory issues because clothes itch him and he still sucks on his hands and he is 5. I read a book called The Out-of-Sync child and this is the "bible" for Sensory Integration- you can get it at the library or used online really inexpensively. I suggest you read it to familiarize yourself with the disorder. When I read this book, I really saw my son with this disorder-- otherwise, I would have thought he was just a quirky kid and he would have struggled all through school-- he is still in pre-K at this time. Early intervention and therapies are the best treatment for SI.
M.
Try looking at the following links:
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/show/275327?camp=36
http://www.medhelp.org/forums/ChildBehavior/messages/3357...
my son is 21yrs old with cerebal palsy. he had some of these problems still does.just stay with the therapies and keep trying. my son plays computer games x-box and game cube xbox 360. didnt lick though. he has feeding and he is such a blessing from god.
My 15-mo-grandson was diagnosed with Sensory Integration issues and speech delay. He just started therapy and I believe my daughter was told that he'll progress faster once he lets go and walks -- evidently one thing at a time. It's interesting that both he and his 4yo brother have never sucked their thumbs or fingers, but soothe themselves with the cloth at their wrist or the wrist itself. (Kinda like Dick Tracy talking on his watch-phone!) I wonder if this has anything to do with anything. The younger one screams at the top of his lungs like you're killing him for the slightest thing -- it's very unnerving but his parents have had him checked for just about anything you can think of that would create enough pain to warrant this screeching and there's nothing wrong. He spends a lot of time in his crib because when he looks tired and starts rubbing his eyes, he gets a story read to him in his room and then is put in the crib. If he gets as far as overload, well, you just don't want that to happen! He can play in his crib for over a half hour before falling asleep. He still takes two naps a day and goes to bed (not to sleep) at about 6:30 pm. I'm assuming that all of these things were taken into account when the diagnosis was made. But I'm anxious to hear anything any of you have to offer this grandmother who's going to see the grandsons next week! Pls email me privately. Thanks!
Hi A.,
My son was a licker and mouthed everything as a toddler. I see similarities with my 2y/o daughter even.
I'll be back to share more this evening but I wanted to say that electric toothbrushes, allowing him to drink through straws & offering items that are acceptable to chew on are all great ways to provide oral motor stimulation for him.
The Out Of Sync Child is an excellent resource, if you haven't already read it.
http://out-of-sync-child.com/default.htm
Also, it sounds like he's already getting the services that he needs and early intervention is the key.
Peace,
J.
My 9-year-old had developmental delays, primarily speech delays and sensory issues. Our pediatrician realized he had food allergies, so we changed his diet, had him in occupational therapy for about a year, and he totally caught up during that time. My son wouldn't touch new things (including food) and wouldn't talk. He still has food issues, but I can't get him to STOP talking now! Good luck!
When my son was young my Doctor told me that a child's mouth senses develop before his finger senses do. That is why children put everything into their mouths. God Bless, B. E.
I have a granddaughter who was born 3 months early and yes, survived due to her will to live and fight to survive. She has had sensorary issues, too. She is now 13 months old not yet walking alone and has had issues with touching things and eating. I found a little animal musical interactive toy at a yard sale. Took it home and cleaned it up and sat her in front of it. I kept pushing the buttons and she watched the action in awe, then I would take her hand and move it towards the button until finally she would allow me to touch her finger to the button. Over several visits and several trys she is now touching the buttons herself and is very proud of herself with the success of "making" the action happen. He will come around. Takes lots of patience, consistency and love. Hopefully both will do better with their feeding issues and the help that is out there now is phenomenal. Hope to hear back as to how things are progressing.
M.
