SPD related to getting dressed

by Leah
(MN)

My daughter has a lot of difficulty with clothing, anything from getting dressed to having her hair done and also clipping finger and toe nails. She went to intense OT for 3 months a year ago after a 10 day streak of absolutely refusing to wear any clothing, including pjs at night. I actually had to drive her a couple if of times wrapped in a blanket. Since the OT discharged her, she's done great... Until a week ago. We are completely back to square one And on day 7 of nakedness. I've implemented all of the strategies we've learned including the increased brushing frequency. I'm at my wits end and so is my husband. Our entire life is altered because of this and my other 2 kids are suffering. Help please!



Comments for SPD related to getting dressed

Average Rating starstarstarstarstar

Click here to add your own comments

Nov 30, 2013
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		----------
by: William

It doesn't surprise me that your insurance wouldn't pay for the 1st OT treatment sessions. It's sad because it only hurts the child and their bottom line down the road, when they're forced to pay for more extensive evaluations and treatments as the child grows.

You have a sensory avoiding child, they're the toughest overall to deal with. But there're things you can try. I consistently recommend "Choice Manipulation", what is choice manipulation? Well you take her to one or more clothing stores. Let her freely walk around and choose outfits she likes and can tolerate touching, she will pick-out items she appears to be comfortable with handling, not necessarily comfortable wearing as yet. Gradually suggest she try some of the items on. After she's tried some on and she doesn't express a sensory interaction, calmly suggest if she would like to wear them home. Now note doing this technique might not work the 1st time around, and may require several trips to several clothing stores to zero in on just a few outfits she wants to wear. Don't rush the process and plan all day around being at what ever clothing store(s) you've chosen. If she doesn't think is was her choice to pick something it will not work. People have extremely great success with this technique. Fighting with her will never be a winning situation for either you, your family and especially your daughter. Allot of children (not all) with SPD can't distinguish between tolerable and intolerable tactile sensory signals and will associate all sensory signals to be either tolerable or intolerable.

You're welcome to as much support as you need. Please update us on any progress in her's and your's journey.
Nov 30, 2013
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Update
by: Leah

The first round of OT wasn't covered by insurance. :(
We have been doing every sensory diet activity at home we can that she's responded to. She tries to put on several of her favorite clothing items and starts crying "it hurts!" The blanket was not a struggle and this time a fuzzy robe has been her choice. So today is day 9. Thanks so much for the support!!
Nov 30, 2013
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Grrr
by: William

It didn't record my name :-(
Nov 30, 2013
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		It's not the end of the world
by: Anonymous

So she refused to wear any clothing, how was the fight to get her wrapped in a blanket? Was she willing or was there a struggle? Some children (not just depending on age) loose focus given to them in OT. You can re-enroll her in OT again, however most insurances refuse to pay for the 2nd series sessions. It's a pain to get them to pay for the initial diagnosis and 1st round of OT. But as an alternative you can increase the use of sensory toys. I suggest you cycle thru which toys are available so the child don't get comfortable enough to loose focus.

Please update us on the journey you and your family is on.

Click here to add your own comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How? Simply click here to return to The SPD Q & A.