Sensory Integration Dysfunction ??

My nephew had the same diagnosis and all I know is that with the therapy, he improved GREATLY and while he's a sensitive kid (what a sweetie!) he is very well adjusted now to social life.

good luck!

My first son has been unofficially diagnosed with SID/SPD. I didn't want the official diagnosis becuase I know he'd be put on the Autism spectrum and the medical community doesn't think he can be cured. I disagree. We've done some things that have shown amazing improvements.

We saw great results with Sensory Learning Institute in Boulder. It was expensive and rough, but I re-read through my notes of the things my son did for the first time after that and it was so worth every penny. www.SensoryLearning.com is their website.

Chiropractic care was also very helpful, especially cranial work.

The other huge difference we've seen is with our homeopath.

He still has some "quirks" - but I'm no longer worried. Good luck to you!

Here are some things you can read to educate yourself.
out-of-sync-child.com
kidfoundation.org
starcenter.us
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,###-###-...
There are 2 books I have read to help me with my two boys, 7 and 4, with SPD (sensory processing disorder)---the terminology changed more than a year ago---Out of Sync Child by Carol Stock-Kranowitz and Sensational Kids by Lucy Jane MIller.

I, like the other mom, would be curious to know what has brought them to thinking your son has SPD at 5 months of age. HOWEVER, it is not unheard of at all---there is a picture in the lobby of the STAR Center in Greenwood Village/Denver with an infant receiving therapy. In fact, many parents with SPD kids have 20/20 hindsight about their childrens condition and wish it could have been identified sooner because the sooner you get it taken care of the easier and more malleable they are to fixing the issues. For example, a lot of what my boys had could be described as colicky but knowing what I know now he needed constant motion either with me walking him or in the swing and he was grumpy when he was lying down for how his vestibular system made him feel. He also slept best with one of us holding him or when he was swaddled as tight as could be.

Best wishes and feel free to contact me with any questions. There is so much to learn about children with SPD and it is so multifactorial. I hope this information can give you a good place to start learning more.

This is the best site I can recommend to you:
http://www.out-of-sync-child.com/
My son was diagnosed at 3 - early detection is key and getting your child into occupational therapy is so important and stick with it- because the fact that you have caught this at 5 months is awesome. I would also do research on immunizations. Alot of autism websites will have this info as there are alot of similarities between the two.

Be positive and be involved because alot of the techniques they use in therapy can be used in the home and I really recommend reading all the out - of - sync books. They helped our family understand what our son was going through and what we could do in our home to make his life better.

Our son is 11 now and doing amazing.. It was a long road and alot of sleepless night but we were blessed because we never gave up hope.

Hope this helps!
C.

My daughter had been diagnosed with that initially at like 18 months (mostly just because she hesitated when walking from one surface to another - like from concrete to grass and because she tip toe walks sometimes).....

I think as long as you stick with the therapy (and don't just let the therapists do the work... ask them to show you the techniques they are doing and then do them with your child on your own too), he will be fine.

BTW, how in the heck are they making the diagnosis this early? I have never heard of a kid who is only 5 months old being diagnosed with this.

Take Care,

My 18 month old daughter was diagnosed with SID when she was 8 months old. She had both OT and PT for 6 months each week. Now we see the therapists once every 2 or 3 months. My daughter is not "cured". We live with her sensitivities each day. Some days worse than others. Therapy is just the beginning of what you can do for your child because the real therapy happens at home. Listen to what the therapists say and do the work at home. It has made such a wonderful difference for us.

FYI, I have read that some of the most intelligent people in the world have intense sensitivities. Indeed, we have found that our daughter's sensitivities to sound have helped her speak early (3 word sentences when she was 13 months old and now a vocabulary well over 100 words). She also has a keen sense of tone and pitch....can match what the choir sings in church since she is 6 months old. Of course, this may not always be the case. For instance, the food texture sensitivity is a tremendous challenge. She is not big on eating and she has never even tripled her birth weight!

Be encouraged. :)
R.

A.,
That is a huge question with a lot of unknowns. Your son is 5 months old and you have started therapy and are following up with a neurologist so that is REALLY REALLY GOOD! Ask a lot of questions, ask for information to read. Don't freak out, just learn and watch your child and see what he responds to and what he is upset by and work with the therapists to come up with solutions. He is way too young to predict outcomes but it is so terrific that you are starting early with him because his brain is still developing and you can change things. Make sure your OT is trained in sensory integration--don't hesitate to ask for credentials. The OT will be your life line to getting your little guy sorted out, so ask and find an experienced, qualified person. Plan that your child will need a little extra help managing his environment throughout his life and that the more you learn about sensory integration and about him, the easier this will be. Take care and give yourself a big hug.

i know what you ar going through my son has those issues right now. And they are not as bad as what our crazy heads make us think. Trust me. Who is your baby going through for therapy for this. Please email me ____@____.com I would love to talk to you and be your support. Just remember God only gives you what you can handle and sometimes I don't believe it but it is true. I look forward to talking with you

hi, have you received any responses yet? My niece has sensory integration disorder. I know there are many different ways that kids are/can be affected. Do you have specific questions or concerns? I may be able to answer some of them or ask my sister in law. I know in Denver there is a school/preschool or kdg, Im not sure specifically for kids with sensorty integration. You may be able to get more information/help from the people there as well.

good luck!

hi A.;
consider neurotransmitter testing or treatment with targeted amino acid therapy (TAAT). www.naturemedclinic.com best, K.

Hi A.,

My 5 1/2-year-old daughter has the same diagnosis, and as I recall that the diagnosis came about when she was around 9 months old. I believe that "sensory integration disfunction" is a real ailment that kids suffer, but the term really covers so many behaviors and learning processes that I think it's too broad. My best way of summarizing the term would be to say that kids with sensory integration react in an extreme manner to situations that most kids (or adults) can process without a thought. For instance, my 2-year-old son is curious about my hair dryer, and perfectly willing to let me blow the air on him to find out what that feels like. My daughter is scared of the noise the dryer makes, and literally trembles if I suggest we blow some air on her just to see if it feels good. She will often react with screeching when overstimulated with the sights and sounds around her.

I think PT/OT have helped my daughter and my family a lot in having coping strategies for sensory experiences that set her off. In fact, I'm sure every kid has moments of sensory overload whether it be through a texture they don't like, too much noise, too much activity around them, and likely a lot of teachers would benefit from using the types of strategies PT/OTs give for these "overload" times. Further, I think having a lot of structure for a kid with sensory integration issues is important. As your child grows, preparing him for situations that may stress him will help all of you.

I doubt that sensory integration issues ever really disappear, but that the tools your PT/OT will give you will help your child function "normally" (whatever that really is). I was very terrified by a lot of the issues my daughter was having early on in her life, many issues which I can now see have to do with sensory integration. But she's doing great. She's an amazing person, and I'm glad we have had good PT/OT support to help her do her best in all that she does.

I have three children with SID. One of those children is also Bipolar and two have ADHD. I have a blog about raising such challenging children. Please visit my blog if you wish at www.bpbaby.com.

Also, have you read the book "The Out-of-Sync Child"? It is like the bible for SID.

Best of luck to you!!

I agree with the some of the other responses. Read and get on the web and find out what you can. My 8 yr old has SI also. We started therapies when he was 27 months old. And I'm so glad. It is different with each child. You will learn how to manage and the therapies will teach him how to cope with this dysfunction. Just know there are others out here with the same thing and are here to support you. It is hard knowing there is something going on with your kids and you aren't in control. The important thing is you are getting help and you will be able to figure this out. My child is doing okay with it and can do amazing things now that were not okay when he was much smaller. He has overcome many things. Just remember you and he will have to work harder at things that are normal for others. Also remember YOU are his best advocate. Make sure he gets the treatments he needs. If they offer any therapy that might help be sure he can get it. Many states have programs that will assist you with these therapies. We have been in OT, Speech Therapy, Music Therapy, Food therapy and others. He has made great successes. Good luck.

Hi A.,
I am not a PT/OT, just a baby/toddler/preschool teacher and mother of 5. I have good results with children with sensory integration problems by offering them a variety of textures to handle. With young babies like yours, here are a couple ideas:
1. Offer several textures of fabric to baby. Rub the fabric on babies skin, hands and soles of his feet. Not too much at first as he may become irritated.
2. Play a variety of music for him. Again, not too loud and not too much at once. He will display which are soothing and which are not. If he is responding negatively to a sound, offer it again in a couple days. Do not stop that sound. He will cognitivily re-arrange to accept the music in time.
3. Let your baby handle items from the house. Empty plastic containers, balls of yarn, a hair brush. Try very different items than usually found in baby toys. Stroke babies skin gently with these items. Not too much at once.
4. When he can sit. Allow your baby to sit in a small dish pan or plastic pool with rice, beans, shredded paper etc. One at a time. Always stay with him so he does not put anything in his mouth. Handling these items will stimulate his senses.
5. Textures of food will probably bother your baby, so offer a variety. Don't allow yourself to get stuck in "his favorites" or it will worsen the situation.
6. Offer items close to your baby that smell unusual. Put small amounts of such items as vanilla extract, coffee,
lavendar, baby food etc. on a cotton ball and let baby smell them.
7. Movement related-Lay baby on different textured surfaces. When he is on his back comfortable-exercise his legs gently by pushing his foot gently to his chest to bend his knee. Do this with arms and legs, bending gently.
When he begins to relax, touch opposite hand to opposite foot. Cross the body. Also, bend one leg and the opposite arm at the same time. "Bicycle" his legs gently and then pull both straight and then begin again. Turn babies arms and hands as in "Roll them and Pat them", and then straighten the arms. He may fuss a little when you first start, but should relax as his brain begins to respond to the new movement.

Please let me know if any of this works and I will give you more ideas as he becomes older. God bless you.
P.S. these ideas are good for ALL babies.

S.

Hi A.,
I just wanted to encourage you. My son was diagnosed with sensory integration dysfunction when he was about 12 months old. He was a VERY difficult baby and toddler. He went to occupational and speech therapy. We also saw a behaviorist to show us how to deal with these horrible fits he would have. Anyway, with all this extra help and a lot of prayer we saw a big change. He is now 5yrs. and doing so much better! He is a little behind socially but you can hardly tell. The best advice I can give you is to stick with the therapies and be patient, it's easy to get discouraged. I still don't really understand all of it. Luckily for you they caught very early and hopefully and little while he'll be fine.

Hi. You are on the right track and will learn a lot from your upcoming appointments. Just getting someone to recognize that there are sensory integration issues going on and making an appropriate referral is half the battle. I recommend "The Out of Sync Child" by Kranowitz and Miller. This will give you an enormous amount of understanding about what is sensory integration disorder/dysfunction. In a nutshell, children are often overreactive to sensory stimuli (touch, sounds, smells) or sometimes are very sensory seeking. This issue doesn't seem to relate to any intelligence issues, unless there are other diagnoses/problems. The most common problems, in my limited experience (have a 14 year old with some of these issues) are that kids are uncomfortable in normally stimulating environments and sometimes relate oddly to their peers (avoid contact, seek too much contact, are "out of sync", etc) There is a lot that can be done now to help kids relate to their environment normally, like weighted blankets, deep pressure, skin brushing etc. You are so lucky that it was discovered early. It is not something to be frightened about. Good luck!

I'm not an expert and have no "real" experience with sensory integration, however I had a 10 year old student in my class who had the same thing. He functioned well in the classroom and it didn't disrupt his social situation (many friends, bright student). The only differences I noticed and talked to mom about were: he chewed on anything, didn't like people touching him unless he allowed it or was in control of the touching, he wouldn't look you in the eye, and mom really had to practice touching him the way he liked (usually with pressure). Now, I'm not even sure if that is the same thing you're going through or if that is typical behavior, I'm by no means an expert. However, I do know that it didn't effect this child in school or making friends. Hope that helps. It's difficult when a child is diagnosed with something you don't know too much about or how it will effect them in life. If it's anything like this particular child, I wouldn't worry . Just ask the doctors lots and lots of questions. Good luck.

My son was diagnosed with this at 2 years. He's now 10, and we have very few problems. Ask about brushing. You use a surgical scrub brush to overstimulate all the nerve ending in the skin. Follow that with joint compressions (they release seritonin) and you'll soon have a calm child for short periods. The brushing was experimental 8 years ago, but I personally think it's a miracle.
Good luck

Hi A.,

I am the mother to a wonderful 4 year old boy who has sensory processing disorder(SPD) the name changed a few years back). I am also an adult with SPD as well as an Occupational Therapist (OT). SPD effects each individual differently. It can effect any sensory system(tactile, auditory, etc.) either individually or in combinations, so without knowing what areas are areas of concern for your child it is hard to give you an idea about what to expect in the future. Probably your best step is to go an OT or PT who is trained in sensory integration for an evaluation.

You might also want to educate yourself about SPD. A wonderful book is Sensational Kids by Lucy Jane Miller. Lucy Jane Miller is part of the the SPD Foundation,they recently changed their name from the Kid Foundation. They have a wonderful website www.kidfoundation.org Lucy Jane Miller and her team are doing a lot of research on SPD.

Another great resource is Diana Henry, MS, OTR/L whose website is ateachabout.com She has a lot of good information on her website and also has a book Tools for Tots, that might have some ideas for things that you can do at home to help your child.

Good luck to you as you begin your journey. If I can be of any help at all to you please feel free to contact me.

L.

Have you checked with the early intervention group in your county? In Denver, that's Denver Options. Check with your Social Services Department or pediatrician for referrals. They can really help out with things like that. Early Intervention is free for 0-3 years olds. They can usually provide PT/OT treatments in your home free of charge.

A.,

What sort of issues is your son having? My 4.5 year old has SID and he has autism. I would think that most kids with autism have some level of SID but I don't think all kids with SID necessarily have autism. For my son, he was a miserable baby. He screamed a lot and wanted to be held constantly. But he only wanted to be held by me. He would startle awake at the lightest noises. As he got older, he started seriously self-limiting foods, he started eating solid foods really late (over a year), he had no sense of danger, no sense of pain, no fear of heights. How SID expresses itself can be really varied. We didn't know "what" the problem was with my son until he was close to 3. He was doing early intervention for language delays but they never mentioned his problems might be more than language delays (and I'm still pretty pissed about that). Anyway, if I can help in any way, please feel free to contact me ____@____.com you have a child with special needs it is quite a journey. It is easier to not walk it alone.

T.

my son was diagnosed at age 6, and hadn't shown signs until after tons of immunizations at age 3. after reading these responses, i'd encourage everyone to re-think their immunization schedule. we went to selctively immunizing, and now we don't at all. (we actually had a doctor admit that our son's tourettes syndrome & SPD were probably caused by his immunizations).