Mom looking for help!

I have three children, son 15, daughter 11, and my youngest is 7 and I have been noticing for some time now that she is different. This all started when she started school at age 5. She hates to wear clothes. She refuses to wear underpants because they feel funny.




Her first year of school was sweat pants and t shirts that were washed over and over again so they were worn. She also would not wear socks. Today She is still not wearing underwear and now she has one pair of pants that she will wear. I found some socks that were seamless so I have won that battle except I have to put them on her three or four times before they feel ok. I dread the mornings wondering what will bother her and if she will have a melt down because of it.

Her eating habits are not that good as well, very picky with textures of food and color. She refuses to go to bed at bed time and will fight it till she just crashes. She is constantly going from one emotion to the next and I get so lost and confused not knowing if I should scold her for being bad or hug her because I dont think she can help it.

Her brother and sister are constantly complaining about her and have said they wish she wasn't born, I hate that they feel that way. I have thought about a therapist, but I am so against the meds. Any suggestions?



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Oct 05, 2009
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starstarstarstarstar 		not the socks!
by: Anonymous

My daughter is now 10 and we have been fighting the sock issue for years. She only wears soft "gaugcho" pants and t-shirts and can't stand to make changes, such as a new pair of shoes. She gets upset if her room is rearranged and is very slow to transition.

We had her evaluated a couple of years ago, suspecting mild ADD. The school psychologist confirmed our observations, that she was highly intelligent, but had a few "quirks". Like that was helpful!
After finding more information about SPD, I am going to get her re-evaluated, this time by an OT, and see where it goes.

I agree with the feeling of not knowing whether to be upset with her over these issues, or to feel bad, because she can't help it. It seems that knowledge is going to be the key.
Sep 26, 2009
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starstarstarstarstar 		Never ever give up!
by: Melissa

My 7 year old son sounds just like your daughter, although I feel like he has always had SPD-didn't know what it was, but when I found out, a light bulb came on-anyways, he was 5 when I realized what was going on, we started seeing an OT last year, we were on a waiting list for over 6 months. The therapy does help him, however most insurance companies limit how many times they can go, he definitely needs more, but we do what we can on the off weeks he can't go to OT.

He still doesn't wear underwear or socks, thank goodness for croc like shoes. He wears shorts which are pj bottoms, and a gray shirt all soft cotton I bought at Kohl's over and over again, I do alot of laundry. He hates cutting his nails, hair, brushing his teeth is a challenge. Visits to doctors are nightmares, other than his OT, he loves going there. School-luckily he goes to a great elementary school and the teachers/principal are very nice/understanding, however many parents are so quick to judge, I have been very open with everyone and I feel that it stops the chatter.

Most importantly is your child doesn't understand why she feels that way, my son wants to wear underwear/socks/different clothes, but he just can't stand the feeling of them, OT is helping, I encourage you to get her evaluated and to see an OT as much as possible, she will feel better with her clothes. NEVER GIVE UP!
Sep 25, 2009
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starstarstarstarstar 		books with advice
by: Kim

Simple changes can make such a difference in the life of a kid with SPD. My daughter was diagnosed at 2. We started her on occupational therapy right away and it changed our lives. If you can't afford it or it insurance doesn't pay for it, get the books The Out-of-Sync Child and The Out-of-Sync Child Has Fun. They are filled with advice on how to make transitions easier for her and reasons why she does these things.

One thing about getting her ready for school - would she sleep in the clean clothes that she has to wear the next day? We had to do it for a while with my son, who hates transitions. My daughter has almost the opposite problem - she doesn't feel pain, so she picks at months-old mosquito bites and dislocated her elbow without realizing it. She crashes into things and has the most dare devil attitude. SPD takes many different forms- some under-reactive and some over-reactive. She really can't help herself, because her nerves aren't firing correctly. But with training, some times as easily has hugging and stroking her limbs, she will be able to tolerate more and more stimulation. Good luck.
Sep 23, 2009
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starstarstarstarstar 		SPD
by: Michelle

She sounds like she has SPD....Working with an OT will help her regulate herself more and should give you peace in your home.
Sep 23, 2009
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starstarstarstarstar 		OT
by: Anonymous

I would highly recommend getting your daughter an OT eval. Once therapy begins you should notice a change for the better. It really helped my son with his issues. He has never taken any sort of meds. I wish you the best of luck!

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