Kelsey turned (4) and our lives changed

by Kelsey's Mom
(New York, Nassau)

I too had noticed that my beautiful little girl was unique. She is always thirsty, as soon as we get in the car or get home, shoes came off. Then as soon as we got home, clothes came off and "comfy clothes" went on (usually PJ's) Nothing really added up until recently when Kelsey turned four. She was "potty trained" during the day but not at night. All of a sudden pullups "hurt" her so she refused to wear them. (even though they were needed) Countless nights of wetting the bed but we got through it. (now she stays dry all night)Then underwear "hurt" and escalated into clothing, socks, & shoes "hurting". Her hair hurts and she refuses to brush it. Even taking a bath, she dreads feeling wet after getting out of the tub and God forbid her wet hair touches her neck (total meltdown). After urinating, Kelsey says that it feels like she is dripping (even after wiping and wiping and wiping!)




I am now in the process of finding a new pediatrician because our current Dr. has totally dismissed a sensory issue and put us down by asking, "why are you allowing a 4 year old to behave like this?" My husband and I are trying to understand and help our child as best as we can but this is soooooooooooooooo frustrating. We need at least an hour to get Kelsey dressed and out of the house. (I sympathize with other parents who have written that it takes HOURS to get their children dressed) If she goes to bed with any type of clothing on it's a miracle. When she wakes up in the night to use the bathroom she has meltdowns and rips off whatever she was wearing.

I feel helpless as a mother. I feel like I can't help my child. I beg her to tell me how I can help her. I am actively searching for help for my little angel. She is so beautiful and smart but what is slowly slipping away is.......... Happy :) What I have described above is making Kelsey so angry, frustrated and is giving her anxiety. Best of luck to you all.



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Nov 20, 2008
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starstarstarstarstar 		I understand
by: Anonymous

Hi I recently found out my 4yr old daughter has SPD. Before I didn't know what was going on with her I too felt frustrated and helpless!! My daughter also gets in the car from school and off come her socks!! She gets home and on with her "comfy" clothes. I'm glad to hear that others go through this and I'm not going insane.

I too thought my daughter was ADHD and put her on the Feingold Program and let me tell you this HELPS!! with the hyperness I have noticed a BIG improvement at home, school and church. Please I recommend every mother that has a child who is HYPER to visit feingold.org or adhd.org you won't regret it. I hope this helps a lot you like it helped my daughter and I.
Oct 07, 2008
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starstarstarstarstar 		Getting Dressed
by: Whitney

My Maggie is the same way with underwear, pants and socks. She struggle to make things tight enough so they don't rub against her skin. Do not let the pediatrician bully you into believing it is because of you. These kids feel it. I though Maggie was just going to be my difficult child(I was the difficult child growing up) But the argument was the same for year after year. I thought she is determined to drive me crazy with clothes. Our relief came after a friend suggested OT. We have been seeing an OT for a year and psychologist for 6 months. We are slowly getting to a better place. My most important dream is for Maggie to feel good in her body and in her self esteem. Good luck.
Sep 27, 2008
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starstarstarstarstar 		the bathroom issue...
by: Anonymous

I know exactly what you are going through. Our main issue is the bathroom. After my daughter goes she could be in the bathroom for 15 minutes just harshly wiping and telling me she is still wet, even though she is dry as a bone. After many trips to the urologist, she has nothing physically wrong. The urologist said he had never heard of anything like this and she may need some therapy. I was torn thinking he was blaming it on being in her head, but now reading this website, I am thinking this could be related to her other sensory issues. The pediatrician told me to use a blow dryer. I know this sounds wierd, but she gets a time limit of 30 seconds with the blow dryer on Low/cool and it helps us get her out of the house in the morning. In school, peer pressure makes her deal with the situation becuase she does not want to be in the bathroom for a long time.

We are going for her physical in October and I am going to discuss therapy with her pediatrician.

Good luck to you!
Sep 25, 2008
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starstarstarstarstar 		me too!
by: Anonymous

I there with you. My daughter goes through the same struggles as you. We started the brushing technique and that has helped with her "behavior", it has a calming effect on her but it hasn't helped our clothing issues, ect.

Recently I purchased satin bedding for her and that seems to really help her through the night, she loves getting into bed now. I only purchase dresses (SOFT DRESSES... no elastic bands, stitching things like that), Ella knows that she has to have pants on when it's cold but will struggle melt down and cry throwing tantrums but I don't really have an answer for that. The underwear and baths we struggled through. The bathroom situation comes and goes, we have times where it seems like we are in the bathroom forever wiping and wiping when she is not wet.

Ella goes to daycare everyday in her P.J's she changes at daycare before they go for their morning walk. I pack three to four of her soft dresses and then she picks from there. It's help but we still struggle. I wonder when there will ever be a day when she can just get dressed and we can go. Good luck to you and Kelsey.

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