I remember my BSC mentioning the YEAR LONG wait list for a Sensory Integration program at a local place over a year ago....when my child was in the height of his smearing days (those were undoubtedly the worst days ever). I was daunted, and did nothing except try to deal with the matter at hand. Recently, it crossed my mind again so I called. Currently, his sensory issues are liking deep pressure, smelling, and oral motor related. You only have to use your imagination to think of ways these are satisfied. There's still a wait of a year, although an orientation was possible within the week. I mentioned this to someone and they knew of another program I'd never heard of and we were able to get in there immediately! I'm not exactly sure how or if the therapies are different, but both are done by an Occupational Therapist, so what the hell. Who knows what sensory issues we'll be dealing with in a year! So the kid has begun therapy and it's going really well! He has two hour-long sessions weekly and he loves it! He hates to leave! I wish he could do it all day long. They do all sorts of fun stuff and they have some awesome equipment and great ideas. One thing they tried was a pressure vest. This gives him input that is ultimately supposed to be calming or grounding (on that note the kid is ALWAYS barefoot). He's a little hippie...just like mom. Now he's a little surfer. Instead of a pressure vest, I bought him a wet suit. Cheaper and he can wear it in the water!
I have a sensory seeker. Oh yes. Smearing is fun! Mine decorates everything with mud and grass....all day if I let him.and he's almost 6. I need to find this sensory therapy you talk about.
ReplyDeleteIt took a long time for me to put 2 and 2 together but it's just specialized OT! Smearing is the worst. We finally figured out to put his pajamas on backward at night and he wore bib overalls for two years...I don't *trust* him but he hasn't shown any inclination of touching it for months. I'm thrilled. *Best* of luck to you. Not much worse than that.
ReplyDeleteHe looks great in his wet suit! Does he like swimming ? Seems like that would be great for him....sensory all over the body.
ReplyDeleteJacob's 1st diagnosis was sensory integration disorder. His sensory issues were the worst between ages 3-5. He started OT through the school at the preschool level until they terminated services at the middle school level.Also did a stint at Children's Hospital Boston OT when he was 3. He wore rain boots for years. He was a crasher. He had serious vestibular and oral motor issues.He would yell at us that the car was going too fast. At 5 he could ride on a swing without freaking out. Now at 13, he can go on a roller coaster. He still has some oral motor sensory issues but we are a long way from those rough years.
ReplyDeleteHe loves to be in the water, Julie! I would love for him to actually learn to swim! Deep pressure. We'll work on it this summer! Thanks for your comment hopefairy (love the name!). It's always reassuring to hear that progress is always happening!!!
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