My Spirited child may have sensory integration dysfunction?

Question

My 25month old son threw one heck of a fit at the doctor's office a few months back so she recomended ECI {early childhood intervention} to make sure he was alright. Well they have came twice and pretty much said in most areas he is right on track, but a few he is maybe 1-4months behind... Mostly because he doesn't grasp the idea of One, carry out comands, or talk in sentance form... Well pretty much they said an idea to try was sensory therapy.. He likes to jump and something about how a trampoline would help with joint compressions.. I looked it up on the computer and came across {sensory integration dysfunction}. Does anyone have any information on this? How do you tell if you have a spoiled brat, a spirited child, or if your child has sensory integration dysfunction?

Any ideas of things to do while I wait untill ECI sends me information on sensory therapy in the mail?

Answer 1

sensory therapy shouldn't hurt anything and might help. At 25 months if he is only 1-4 months delayed that is not a big concern.
You usually get concerned if there is a greater than 25% delay in development which would mean a greater than 6 month delay.

Sensory therapy may help him learn to get control of his actions, calm himself more effectively even if he doesn't really have a "dysfunction".
You may try things like giving firm hugs, kind of squeezing, having him lay on the floor and you press firmly but gently up and down his back and legs (like walking on him but with your hands), have him do "heavy" work like pushing a chair around on the floor, try "wheelbarrow walking" where you hold his legs and he walks around on his hands, swinging, hanging from a bar or your hands with his hands.

Answer 2

Sensory problems are actually not a big deal. Some ocupational therapy should be free up until age 3 though a First Steps Program in your state.

Extra sensory stimulation helps a kid calm down. Everyone has a need for sensory stimulation, more so as a kid. Remember how you liked to get dizzy when you were little but if you did it now your not sure you could hold down your lunch? Kids need that kind of stuff.

Some kids need it a bit more than others and it's labeled sensory disfunction. They need more stimulation in certain areas to be calm and well adjusted in other areas.

My suggestion is to get him evaluated by an Ocupational Therapist. Been there done that. Get him into a First Steps Program and go from there. I wouldn't freak out over it. An OT
can tell by your descriptions and by spending time with him if he
needs a bit of help in the sensory department. If that's all he needs - than for me, please be happy. There's nothing wrong with a little therapy for a little guy to help him feel comforable in his surroundings even if he doesn't have SID. All kids can benefit from OT.

As for if he's a spoiled brat...if you discipline him and he starts howling like his dog just died and his heart is torn - then you know he was acting out for a reason he can't describe to you. Been there done that also. My son eyes were like I had just crushed his heart. As a mother you'll 'know' if you see a look like that or if he's just having a tantrum. It's in the reaction to discipline I'ld watch for.

If he gets more stubborn and angry - temper tantrum. If he looks lost and his feeling have been hurt - it's something else.

Answer 3

I can only suggest a vegan diet, if your child is not yet on such a diet. Also check the food labels for certain types of synthetics which may be in the food..... I heard rumors that some of the "new kids" coming out these days are going to be more susceptible to things..."lactose intolerant" or "EDTA allergies" on a whole new level.
Obviously there may be other issues, your child may need some chemical that the current doctors do not tell you about, or they do not know about. Or the child may need something like a "dad".... he is still young and well , I can't tell you what I was doing at age two ~ throwing chairs at cows, tragic.

"the horizon has been defeated, only if you defeat it now."
BE VEGAN, teach your children....peace.

Answer 4

You can get someone to show you how to do joint compression therapy. All kids love this whether they need it or not.
I used to start doing it on my baby (who has Sotos Syndrome) whenever she'd be hystererical and she would calm right down.
Also you can brush them all over, but it has to be a special brush and someone has to show you how.
I'm not sure exactly how it all works to fix the sensory integration problem, but it does work. Been there, done that!

Answer 5

I don't think there is a real way to tell..yet. SID diagnosis is in its infancy. I have a daughter whom they said could "possibly" have it, but was never formally diagnosed. We got her into developmental preschool and occupational therapy ASAP and now, although a little socially behind, is making remarkable strides (and is WAY beyond in reading...whatever struggles these kids have, they make up for in spades in another area).
Whether or not your son has SID is not the point. There isn't a cure. Just get him any possible help you can. I'm in WA state and we have awesome programs for these kids...diagnosed or not. Start with your state's Social and Health department and your local school district (for 3 and over in our state).
Blessings, hun. I know it ain't easy!

Answer 6

A fit in the doctor's office is normal for a 25 month old. Get those people out of your house, and start to figure out ways to react to your child that doesn't include a diagnosis. I think it's applorable that you are already measuring his "jones" quality when there is nothing wrong with him to begin with. Learn to teach discipline, and ways of dealing with your own parenting issues, then you can start to look at whether or not your son is the one with the problem. he sounds normal to me.

Answer 7

I have no idea what that diagnosis is or means but I'm right there with you. My 4yr old gets up around 8am and goes constantly until about 10 or 11pm. He does not take naps anymore and I am about to loose it!! He is always talking and going, and doing, I can't keep up with him. I thought that I was just too old to keep up anymore. I have 4 kids, 15,14,4,and 2. I need to do some studying myself about this. I just thought that he was hyper active. (ADHD) When he goes to school next year, I don't know what their going to do with him, or me for that matter. I thank you for asking this question it has opened my eyes. I'm sorry I couldn't help.

Answer 8

He'll grow out of it don't take him to a shrink at 4 years old.. He hasn't even had a chance to have any serious problems..Give him the opportunity to develope into a nut case then you take him to shrink..Don't jump the gun..Sensory integration dysfunction what the hell.. Now if hes just out of controll maybe its what your doing or maybe he does have something..but if hes just beating up on the other kids.. dont pump him full of drugs or assume hes nuts off that bat give him untill 8 or 9..

Answer 9

my mother discovered the cure for this back in the 1950s. She told me "Shut up, or I'll give you something to cry about". Worked - instantly.

Answer 10

Can you return him for a better one?