Sensory Issues?

[jenny31052]

Does anyone have, or care for a child with sensory issues?

I care for a 4 years old that I'm thinking has some sort of oral sensory disorder. He is super picky, he only eats a few things, and have a texture adversion to anything else that it is not on his list of favorites. When he tries new food he normally gags, and spit/throw everything up. If he eats one thing one day, it is not guaranteed that he will the next time.

He is constantly mouthing toys, or his fingers, or his shirt, or I find him licking the wall, or chewing/****ing on the couch fabric, and he loves salty foods.
If he doesn't have something in his mouth, he is constantly playing with his tongue...

His brother has adhd, and sensory issues are sometimes connected with adhd.

Any input?

[sharlan]

My 5 yo has a lot of sensory issues. Any new food is guaranteed to be met with gagging and choking. It has taken a lot of trial and error and major persistance to get him to eat the things he does. He still will not eat oatmeal, mashed potatoes, or yogurt. The only vegetables he will eat is raw carrots or broccoli made into "special green soup" (ie, cream of broccoli). He will not eat any food that is mixed together like meatloaf, spaghetti, or soups.

He used to have a lot of issues with textures. Anything slimy and he would gag and choke. I started having him play with sand, rice, moon dough, and playdough. That really helped a lot.

The only suggestion I have is to build on what he will accept.

[SilverSabre25]

Yeah, sounds sensory to me. He might benefit from an evaluation (there might be other things going on that you're missing) and might not. Worth a mention, anyway.

Definitely try and give him lots of sensory play and opportunities to engage his whole body in sensory stimulation. Sensory boxes are good, a mini trampoline if you have one or can use one (my dcks LOVE ours...thank goodness I don't have licensing to worry about!) or even just jumping jacks, or let them have a crib mattress to jump on. Make a sensory walk and tape down bubble wrap, aluminum foil, plastic wrap, and let them walk on it and roll on it. Anything to engage his tactile senses even if it's not oral. Don't push him to try new things and give him praise when he DOES try, even if he doesn't like it. "Yay! You tried it! That's so grown up! You should be proud of yourself!!"

[sharlan]

Mine just hit a major milestone. He's had a major adversion to tape/bandaids since he was born. He's never had a bandaid on as he screams whenever he sees one. He just got a splinter and let me put a pain reliever cream and a bandaid on it.

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

I'm an Aspie and a lot of Aspies have ADHD. Just throwing that out there.

[e.j.]

My son has a lot of sensory issues. Me, too. His are more oral and tactile. Mine are more auditory and tactile.

This site seems to have a lot of good info and suggestions:

http://www.sensory-processing-disorder.com/oral-sensitivities.html

[jojosmommy]

I posted earlier about a 2yr old I have that does much of the same. Especially the licking walls, always having hands in mouth etc.

I have made spaghetti, let it cool and let all the kids play with it just to get her sensory time. Same with jello. Be prepared for hesitation and accept what they do try.

My kids also love flaxseed, pompoms, easter grass, and those squishy water beads.

Have you heard of chewy tubes? My typical dck love them for teething and my spectrum dcks love them for oral input. They are about 7-8 bucks. Google them, I ordered online originally but have found them at our local toy stores that are becoming more autism friendly.

[AnythingsPossible]

I would suggest to the parents that they have an evaluation with Child Develpment Services, or whatever program you have in your area. I had a little guy that was 2 with a lot of sensory issues. Once he started therapy, the issues subsided quite quickly, I think because we caught it so early. Early intervention rocks!!

Chew tubes definately helped with the chewing and mouthing of things. He chewed on all the backs of my dining chairs