Help for SPD

by Chrissy Bishop
(Woodruff, SC USA)

Hello, my name is Chrissy Bishop and I have a 2 1/2 year old named Owen. We just finally had him tested for autism and they told us that he is just a rare child that has a severe speech delay and sensory issues. He has an EI that comes once a week and has been coming for about 6 months now. He also goes to Speech Therapy and Occupational Therapy twice a week for 30 minute sessions.




We have made major progress, but his behavior has gotten so bad. And I say behavior because I don't know any other word for it, but he is just so bad around others (kids and adults). He pinches really hard alot, throws toys or dirt or whatever, hits and scratches. And I am just at a breaking point. I have tried popping or spanking, but it just doesn't even phase him. He doesn't do it to be mean or for attention. Its like he does it to play or be funny but it hurts. And also, what happens after you get a diagnosis of this?

His therapist have told me about this, but didn't diagnosis him with this. And he already goes twice a week for it. Anyways, please help me if you can. I am going crazy. He's always moving, walking, running, jumping, never sits down.
Thanks,
Chrissy Bishop
chbishop@charter.net



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Jul 15, 2009
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starstarstarstarstar 		Thanks for your insight
by: Chrissy Bishop

Thanks for your responses. I have never thought that there may be a reason for his actions to be so bad. He does not talk good at all, he is just starting to make some progress but I still don't understand what he says rather less anyone else. And he does sleep alot, and I haven't thought much about this until now. But when we are all gathered together for family things he usually misses his 2 hour nap. But he doesn't seem whiney or anything so I never thought that he could be telling me in a different way.
And also, his EI is getting together some information for me to help him with this too, as well as his OT. So hopefully, I can start to understand all of this so that I can help him better. This is just so overwhelming, the excersizes that I have read about online and all. And also, the brushing technique that I am supposed to do every 2 hours. I am not a bad parent, but I just cannot do it every 2 hours. I have 2 other children and a household to run. I just can't seem to have the time and remember to do it every two hours. Anyways, thanks for your support and comments.
Chrissy Bishop
Jul 14, 2009
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starstarstarstarstar 		help for spd
by: Anonymous

Do you think his behavior could be triggered by other thing?

My son (age 3) has sensory issues and it never fails when he is acting out 99% of the time its because he is having a problem with something else.

The other day we were playing outside with other children and he took the other childs toy and threw it over the fence. After repeating this behavior i told him he was going inside until he could behave nicely. Instead of fighting me on it, he said 'hold me and carry me in". Thats when i figured out that he was scared of something. I asked what was frightening him and he said 'the wind' ~ he thought the wind was going to blow him away and was stressing about it all that time.

It never fails, when my child misbehaves there is ALWAYS a reason. It could be as simple as lack of sleep, or something frightening him, or just anxiety bothering him. Children don't misbehave for no reason.

You may have to dig deeper. Sensory children need their sleep, its super important in keeping them balanced.
Jul 14, 2009
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starstarstarstarstar 		Ideas for your child
by: An OTR

I am glad that you are getting help! Your early interventionist should be able to help you with ideas on behavior and should even be able to go with you into the community to help. It is hard to tell you exactly what to do without seeing the situation and his medical records. Maybe he doesn't know how to play with the other kids. Does he have motor planning problems? Break down the difficult activities and situations to analyze why he hit or acted up, and then have the EI and therapists help you with those issues.

Also, maybe your OT can give you some "sensory diet" ideas for the home and community settings so that he is not so sensory seeking. Giving him lots of opportunities throughout the day for climbing, pushing/pulling wagons, jumping, dancing, and swinging might be helpful to let his body learn to grade the pressure and get the deep input it needs. Also, maybe the speech therapist can help you make a social story (idea thought of by Carol Gray). It is a simple approach: make a book out of typing paper, and draw simple pictures to tell a story of how you want him to act in a certain situation. For example, if birthday parties are over-whelming for him, then write a story about what is going to happen at the party. Keep it positive and fun. Read it every day for a week or so before going to the party, then he can anticipate what will happen. So often a child with sensory and language delays "acts up" when he can't predict what will happen or know how to respond in a certain situation.

Another reason for the behavior might be because he can't communicate what he wants to say. In that case, maybe the SLP can set up PECS picture exchange communication system)for him or teach him sign language until he learns to speak effectively. Maybe the EI can help you teach him how to interact one-on-one with another kid during a play date.

Good luck,
an OTR: www.sense-ablebaby.com

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