Sensory Issue?

I work for early intervention and can tell you, you should be getting some OT (occupational therapy) help from them for sensory issues. Also, I would go ASAP to a private OT center that specializes in sensory work (Project CHILLD in Beverly, OTA in Watertown and Wakefield). They accept some insurances. They will have all kinds of help for you from listening programs to food desensitizations, etc.
Also get "Out of Sync Child" and "Raising a Sensory Smart Child" - great books on this.

Have you mentioned this to his pedi?? It sounds a lot like Autism.. I taught as a preschool teacher and had a 3 yr. old Autistic boy that did all of those same things. At 22 months, he shouldn't really be eating ANY baby food. Maybe some Gerber Graduates. But he should be eating whatever you are at this age. I would talk to his doc and fast. It may be nothing, but is better to make sure.

When you started EI did they do a complete testing of all his skills and sensory issues or were they only involved for speech. How long has he been receiving services? You may want to call and have other skills evaluated. I don't know your son, nor am I a medical expert, but the combination of issues is consistent with autism. How is he with the playgroup? Is he interactive or solitary? EI really should be giving you more services in any case, based upon what you have described. Good luck.

A book titled "The highly sensitive child - helping our children thrive when the world overwhelms them" by Elaine N. Aron helped me a lot. It starts with a questionnaire and my daughter was "true" for almost all. Fussy eater, clothes tags/bright lights/loud sounds bothered her, preferred quiet play,does not do well with changes, being in a large crowd (mall) scared her. This book helped me through the stages and made me realize I am highly sensitive myself. It also points out the positives of high sensitivity. It might be worth glancing through early chapters to see if it fits your little guy. My daughter is now 11 in 6th grade, does well academically and socially, but we had many years where I wondered if she would be able to function out in the world. Hope this helps and good luck.

Rachel, the soloution to getting him off the baby food is simple -- just stop buying it!! he will not starve himself, he may go a day or two refusing food, but he will begin to eat what you offer. It will be a fight, he will be grumpy, but stick to your guns. He definatly does not need baby food at this age. Try the whole food stores for foods that are gluten free etc.. As far as the playing with the same toys and watching the same shows, thats what they do.... My daughter was stuck on the same book and I now can recite it by heart without the pics!! He will get over it and move on.. and if it makes you feel any beter, my daughter was a major Caillou junkie!!!! best of luck - L. C.

Hi,

I would bring all of these issues to the attention of your pediatrician and have your son re-evaluated by Early Intervention. My 6 yr old is mild/moderately autistic with sensory issues and I can see in your post certain similarities. It may be something he'll grow out of or something he needs a little help with and it never hurts to get an outside opinion. Hope this helps.

Barb

sounds like sensory issues to me.. call your local Early Intervention program (school dept will have the info you need) and set him up for an eval.. it takes a while so you have to be patient. My son has overcome a few things, but not all - everyone has some sort of sensory issue.. if you don't like the sound of nails on a chalkboard (who does?) that's a sensory issue.. so it's not the end of the world and there are things you can do to help him.. EI will lead you in the right direction..

Rachel,

This was just recently asked. Look up: "Feedback please does my son have SPD?" there were 18 very well written and informative responses.

I responded with some "local" resources in my area as when I joined this group I misunderstood the "local" to mean mom's in my area. I found out later it was mom's from all over! so my recommendations are great reading but most likely not from your area.

Good luck you're on the right track with noticing these characteristics!

C.

This was absolutely my son, I can't believe it. No food with texture and it was so frustrating. Does he eat any solid foods at all? Like finger foods? My son did that but we stayed on baby food for a really long time. The only thing that was different is he did switch to different toys. It sounds to me like there is something really going on inside his little body if he already is allergic to gluten, dairy and soy. Soy in particular - since it's been used for 5000 years, most experts in food science (not necessarily MDs) will say there is no true soy allergy - more likely it's an imbalance inside and/or a reaction to what the soy is processed in (alcohol, etc.). Since your older kids have allergies/asthma, it sounds like the same thing is going on with them. Would you consider a supplement (dairy & gluten free) used world-wide feeding 43,000 people a day in feeding stations (often the only meal) and manufactured right here in the US? Patented, so safe. I know so many parents whose children had massive food allergies and sensory issues - one friend had a kid with something like 30 allergies. He's totally clear now. My son used to be lactose intolerant, but is no longer. Another friend had a child with terrible allergies and pneumonia-like symptoms, on a nebulizer 5 times per winter, etc. He is totally cleared up and has never missed a day of school, never been on an antibiotic since, and so on. I think it would fit into your lifestyle - I have friends who are organic farmers and others who are organic-eaters, but still don't get enough nutrition, so they use it. I'd love to share more if you are interested - email me directly at ____@____.com if you like.

Rachel,

Have you spoken to your son's doctor about this? I would. It may be more than just a sensory issues or it may just be that your son is sensitive to changes either way your doctor is more qualified to assess your son.

Good luck,
L. M