6- Year Old Former Preemie

Hi,
Our daughter was preemie and now is 17. One book that helped me with her sensitivities was "Raising Your Spirited Child" by Mary Sheedy Kurcinka. Our daughter has always been very sensitive. It was very noticeable recently when she had surgery and needed everything just so. Another book that might help is " Helping Your Anxious Child: A Step-By-Step Guide for Parents" by Sue Spence (Author), Vanessa Cobham (Author), Ann Wignall (Author), Ronald M. Rapee (Editor). This was recommended to us and I'd wished I'd found it around your son's age. It helps the parent and the child communitcate better with each other about their anxieties. I hope this helps.

V.

Most people would recommend "The Out of Sync Child", but I like "Raising the Sensory Smart Child." I think all of us have sensory issues, it's just figuring out in what situations and how severe. My son is actually just the opposite--school is where he has problems because of the structure.

Give him as much routine as you can, but set up situations without routine that you can control so that you can make them a learning situation. (I worked in a group home with DD clients and there was an Autistic man who was afraid of places with a lot of people and where he did not know where we were. One of my first experiences with him was running around HCMC, trying to calm him down and get him back in the doctor's office. For awhile we avoided stressful situations, but after I gained his trust, we used to go to the mall to practice. It eventually became pleasant, but it was a lot of work.)

Hi J. R ...
I would seriously consider having your child evaluated for Autism. Don't panic - it's not the end of the world. I am in the special educational/services field and have seen children with Autism and lead healthy lives.

Your child's school can evaluate your child free of charge. Talk with his teacher, school counselor or the school psychologist and they can set everything up.

Good Luck and keep smiling :-)
D.

My 11 yr old is like this. Because of teacher complaints and frustrations, I had him worked up at our children's hospital. The staff child psychologist there found nothing out of the ordinary, just said that he was who he was, and at the other end of the specturm. He may not be like others, but he is who he is. And it's up to others to accept those that fall out of the spectrum. So, with this formal assessment in hand, I had the confidence to tell the teachers that we're all different, and not everyone will be like the next person next to them. Accept your child for who he is, and watch him blossom!!!!!!

Hi
My daughter has alot of sensory issues We took her to a OT theripst and that helped ALOT. also I read any and all books about sensory issues The Sensational child, The out of sync child. There is more but I can not think of the titles right now. Good Luck I know how hard sensory issues can be. :)T.

Many children who are premature so early share these issues of sensory, body in space, anxiety, speech problems, vision, and these issues compound when children are faced with the challenges of school. We consider the ABCs of school readiness to be Attention, Balance and Coordination. My partner (former Montessori school teacher and now a HANDLE neuro-developmental specialist) and I (developmental movement therapist) work with children from newborn through school age. You can visit mamabebe.org and look at the school age section to see issues described there and an inventory of symptoms.

C.

Dera J. R

My 7 year old has sensory issues, speech issues and a learning disability. We started therapy at age 18 months but didn't realize he had sensory issues until he was about 3 years old. We have done extensive OT and speech therapy. Does he have an associate at school, please feel free to contact me so we could discuss this in more detail, I always found having another parent understand is helpful. He does not do well with any change in routine either at school or at home. Sometimes we don't take him where we know he won't do well, and we have found social stories work wonders at school.

Take care,
M.

Our son has sensory issues as well--occupational therapy, speech and time for maturity seem to be the best courses of action. I'm also currently reading a book "Change Your Brain Change Your Life" that talks about actual changes in the brain that drive those over-activity times (it's very good!). Don't be surprised if the school tests him for ADD. Those non-routine situations are challenging--we do a lot of role playing (often after the fact) so that those skills are in place the next time around...Good luck!

My son is almost 3 and Has Sensory Processing Disorder. Even though there ages are quite different it sounds like SPD, I am reading two books, one is called Raising A Sensory Smart Child by Lindsey Biel, M.A., OTR/L and Nancy Peske This one helps you learn about:
*How the senses actually work and intergrate with each other
*How and where to get the best professional help
*"Sensory Diet" activities that meet your childs needs
*Practical solutions for daily problems- from brushing hair to getting dressed to going to family outings
*Using "sensory smarts" to help children with development delays, learning and attenetion problems
* Ways to advocate for your child at school and make schools "sensory smart"
*How to empower your child and teen in the world
* Complementary therapies, recommended resurces and helpful Websites

The second is called "The Out-of-Sync Child" by Carol Stock Kranowitz, M.A. and its about Recognizing and Coping with Sensory Integration Dsyfunction. Does your child exhibit....Any of the following (this is what the book handles)
***Oversensitivity- or undersensitivity to touch, taste, sound, or sight? Children with SI Dysfunction may avoid touching, refuse to wear certain clothing, be picky eaters, or cover their ears or eyes. Conversely , they may crave sensations- playing in the mud, grabbing others, turning up the volume, preferring hot bathwater and spicy food-and seem oblivious to sensory cues
***Oversensitivity or Undersensitivity to movement sensations? They may seek out movement- swinging, twirling, jumping or "plant themslves" avoiding active games
***Usually high or low activity level? THe child may be constantly on the go-wearing out everyone around them- or move slowly and tire easily, showing little interest in the world.
***Problems with motor coordination? He may be awkward, seemingly careless, or accident prone.

These telltale symptoms are often the first clues of SI Dysfunction a common, but frequently misdiagnosed, problem in which messages from the senses are not correctly processed by the nervous system. First identified decades ago by an occupational therepist, SI Dysfunction has only recently been widely recognized amoung doctors and psychologists. Now, this book offers comprehensive, easily understood information on SI Dysfunction and a drug free treatment approach for children who need help.
This book gives you a look at,
**Does your child have Sensory Intefrations Dysfunction?
* Understanding Sensory Integration and what can Go Wrong, **How to tell if your child has a problem with tactile Sense,
*How to Tell If Your Child Has a Problem with the Vestibular Sense
**How to Tell If Your CHild Has a Problem with the Proprioceptive Sense
*Diagnosis and Treatment
**Your Child at Home
* YOur CHild at School
**Coping with Your Childs Emotions
*Looking at Your Child in a New Light

I would definetly buy and read both books!! When I was reading after I found out about my son having SPD it was like a light switch went on for me and said " Ok this all makes sense why he acts this way"
If you would like to ask me further questions please email me at ____@____.com

We actually found out my son had it, by having him evaluated for his speech. Which ended up being fine, however after filling out all the questionires (sp?) And several trips to my house for different play activities and just from me explaining different situations to his OT he was diagnosed.
I know this was long but I hope it helps, and gives you options other than medicating.. It has rally helped me and my husband and our family deal with my son in a new light. Just dont be quik to point the finger at ADD or ADHD. They use serious medications and they have simular symptoms. If you are really going to look into this I would ask your ped. and have them schedule you a visit from a OT from the school district you are in. It will really cast a new light on things for your son and your family.

Thanks so much and I hope this helps some. Best wishes!! A.

Hi Jane-

My son struggled for many years with sensory sensitivities and was either sensory seeking or would have very strong overreactions to smells, touches and sounds. He also had a very difficult time dealing with stressful or new situations and changes in routine. My son was given a diagnosis of Asperger's syndrome when he was 5 years old and was referred to a wonderful occupational therapist who he worked with for 3 years. It was amazing what a difference we saw in just the first six months. He is now 10 years old and although he is still a little on the sensitive side and probably always will be, it is no where near as intense as it was. It is also so much easier for him to deal with transitions and unexpected events and I really think that the sensory work that the OT did with him made a huge difference in his ability to interpret and deal with his surroundings. Your family doctor should be able to refer you to an OT for an assessment to see if therapy would be helpful for your son.

Good luck and feel free to contact me if you want to chat more in depth.

Has your son received Occupational Therapy (privately or through school)? I HIGHLY recommend looking into finding an OT who is trained in sensory integration, and IDEALLY one who is trained in and is willing to use "therapeutic listening"--our OT at work (I'm a PT) has had GREAT results with the families that follow through. If I remember today, I'll see if I can get the website that has some good information. Don't give up, and if I forget--send me a personal response and I'll look again--with the holiday weekend, a 4-year old and one on the way, I'm likely to be forgetful! Okay--I found the website:
www.spdfoundation.net Hope it's helpful!

Most kids outgrow any preemie symptoms long before age 6, but when they miss their whole third trimester, you do get issues like visual impairment and sensory issues. (I had it explained to me that they didn't have the that time to be "squished" in the womb and struggle with touch and spacial relation / body awareness because they left the womb when there was still plenty of room.

Anyway, your son should definately qualify for therapy - he is probably in it already - and his therapists should be a good resource for more information and training.

Good luck,
S.