Hair pulling

by Katie K
(Minneapolis, MN)

My 4 year old daughter has had pretty severe SPD for as long as I can remember noticing signs. Her biggest issue is clothes, but she has never liked anything in her hair. She has been in OT for almost a year, but because of an insurance issue, she hasn't been in OT for about a month now.

My husband and I are currently going through a difficult time and we are thinking of separating or divorcing and she is obviously picking up on the tension around the house. Within the last few weeks she has had some meltdowns any time anyone touches her hair. To rub her head or her hair is is a natural reaction for me if I am hugging her so I have had to try really hard to remember this. She tells me "mom, I told you I don't like you touching my hair". We are in the process of growing out some bangs so again, my natural reaction is to move her hair out of her face when the spray wears off, etc.

Anyways, now, when she gets upset about someone touching her hair she starts to pull at it, rather forcefully. Sometimes she will be sitting and I will see her trying to gently pat her hair in certain places and then all the sudden she will start pulling on it telling me how badly her hair hurts her.

I am worried about the pulling that it will escalate to the point she is actually pulling it out of her head. Wondering if anyone has experienced this before. Not sure if it sensory issues moving from one area to the other, lack of OT or stress from home or a BAD COMBO of them all :(

You can read more about my daughter's story at:


www.hstrial-KateKorogi.intuitwebsites.com

soon to be www.sensoryissues.info

thank you in advance for any suggestions or input