SPD in 7-year old

by AnneMarie
(California)

Hello,

My son was born with a cord around his neck and with meconium in his lungs. He had trouble breathing and was in ICU for 4 days.

I never realized, up until now, the impact that experience could have on his general well-being.

My son had issues with tags, seams in socks, food textures, loud noises, most shoes, etc. for the first 6 years of his life. He also had - up until age 6 - extreme anxiety getting in front of people (e.g., singing performances).

I am feeling deep regret for not getting him help early on -- my pediatrician shrugged it off and said he would outgrow it. He's 7 now and has outgrown most of it. But, he still has issues with some clothes (mostly jackets and some shoes) and food. I'm mostly worried about the latter. He won't eat any fruit or any vegetable...including fruit juice. He won't try new foods (he gags and throws up). He won't brush his teeth with "spitting" toothpaste. He also still has performance anxiety but he will at least tolerate it (before, he would shake and cry and break down).

Is it too late to get him help at age 7? I don't want to label him now as he's astute to what's going on. But, I also want to do what's best for him.

I can't go back and fix the past. But, what can i do now? I am crying and losing sleep over this. Feel like I failed my son in his most critical growth years.

Advice?

Thanks
AnneMarie