Helping The Child Who Has Sensory Issues

There's something up with a child you know. She is clumsy, picky, always on the move, or perpetually flopped in a chair like a wet noodle. He is impulsive, intense, and quirky. Maybe this child has a learning disability, ADHD, or autism, or maybe not. Why are everyday sensations so distressing to him? Can she really "hear" the fluorescent lights that she claims are distracting her?

It's very likely that this child you're concerned about has sensory processing disorder, also known as SPD or sensory integration dysfunction. An estimated 1 in 20 children have this disorder. Almost all children with autism have SPD as well.
This child's nervous system is wired atypically so that his body processes everyday sensations differently. His senses don't give him an accurate picture of what's going on in his body and his world, so he's prone to anxiety, distractibility, impulsivity, and frustration. A child with SPD will tune out or act out when overstimulated. The need for sensory input such as movement and touch can be so overpowering that the child truly can't control his need to seek it out. Many of us have difficulty tuning out background noise in a busy restaurant so we can focus on a conversation, or we prefer clothes that are tight or loose. These are sensory preferences. When a child's sensory issues interfere significantly with learning and playing, he needs the help of an occupational therapist, a sensory diet, and a sensory smart adult who can teach him how to feel more comfortable in his body and environment.

Fortunately, many of the accommodations that can make a huge difference in the life of a child who has sensory issues are simple and inexpensive. Here are just a few:

1. Cut out clothing tags, turn socks inside out or buy seamless ones, and avoid clothing with embroidery and elastic that may feel irritating to the child.

2. To help him tolerate the intense sensation of having his teeth brushed, offer the child nonfoaming toothpaste and try desensitizing his mouth and lips by using a vibrating toothbrush or even just gently pressing a hand-held vibrator against his cheek, jaws, and lips before attempting to brush.

3. To calm and focus a child with sensory issues, you may need to use deep pressure against the skin as you compress her joints. Hug her, or press pillows against her body or rolling her up in a blanket to play "burrito." However, always pay attention to what a child is telling you, in words or body language, about her response to sensory input. Don't upset her with unwanted touch.

4. In school or at home, allow him to sit on an exercise ball or an inflatable cushion, with a smooth or bumpy surface, to give him extra input to his body. This will meet the movement needs of a child who just has to be able to squirm and enhance his body awareness, allowing him to focus better.

5. Let the child separate different foods on his plate and eat them without mixing together foods of different textures. The skin in the mouth of a child with sensory issues can be exquisitely sensitive, making her a picky eater. You may have better luck getting her to eat a steamed green vegetable or raw carrot stick rather than a peanut butter sandwich.

6. Provide the child with quiet getaways to retreat to when the sensory onslaught of everyday life is too much. Let her sit alone with you in a car outside of a party or noisy restaurant, or in a quiet, darkened room, listening to relaxing music on a personal music player.

A pediatric occupational therapist, trained and experienced in helping children with sensory issues, can work with parents and teachers to plan and carry out activities for the child that can help him or her function better at home, at school, and away. She can also help problem solve and discover accommodations that will ease the child's discomfort. Whether working on a consultation basis, in a "sensory gym" nearby, at home or at school, the right sensory smart OT can make a huge difference in the life of a child with sensory processing disorder.

copyright 2009 Nancy Peske

By: Nancy Peske

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Nancy Peske is the coauthor, with Lindsey Biel OTR/L, of the award-winning book Raising a Sensory Smart Child: The Definitive Handbook for Helping Your Child with Sensory Processing Issues, recently expanded and rereleased by Penguin Books and available at bookstores everywhere. Her son was diagnosed with sensory processing disorder (sensory integration dysfunction) and multiple developmental delays at age 2. Learn more at www.sensorysmarts.com and sensorysmartnews.com

The Benefits of Bean Bag Chairs for Kids With Autism

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are a group of disorders characterized by significant impairment in social interactions, communication difficulties and repetitive, compulsive behavior. Approximately 1 in 150 children in the United States are diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder, and symptoms can range from mild to severe. It is common for a child with an ASD to have an additional diagnosis of sensory integration dysfunction. This means that the child's brain doesn't process the sensory information it receives in a coherent, organized way. Therapy for autistic children with sensory processing difficulties often involves weight-bearing exercises and deep sensory input. For these kids, beanbag chairs are a low-cost therapeutic tool.
As a seating option, bean chairs help autistic children who have poor muscle tone, or hypotonia, which is a common problem with kids on the autism spectrum. Hypotonia isn't a medical disorder; rather, it's the name of the symptom resulting from any combination of neurological and muscle disorders that cause overall muscle weakness. Researchers are still looking into why kids on the autism spectrum often have hypotonia, but it is more challenging to address in children than adults by virtue of the fact that many weight-bearing exercises involve the use of adult-sized, overly heavy equipment.
Bean bag chairs have just enough weight to act as a weight-bearing exercise tool for kids on the spectrum. A child may use it for weight-lifting with his arms or legs. Additionally, because of the palpable inner components, a bean bag chair provides sensory feedback during weight-training exercises. Their flexible shape allows kids and therapists to shape and mold the chairs for whatever purpose they need.
Bean bag chairs help hypotonia in kids with autism in other ways. Many kids on the autism spectrum find it uncomfortable to sit in traditional chairs. The use of bean bag chairs in the home may provide kids on the autism spectrum with comfortable alternatives, since the chair molds itself to the child's body while providing the sensory feedback of its filler material. In an autism classroom, a teacher may use bean bag chairs for the students at least part of the day. Many kids on the spectrum find the sensory feedback of sitting in a bean bag chair very comforting. Best of all, they're easy to transport and lightweight enough so that even very young children can move them from room to room.
Two bean bag chairs used together can be a helpful therapeutic tool for kids on the spectrum. Many kids with autism find it comforting and calming to have their torsos surrounded by gentle sensory pressure. Some autistic kids like to sit on one bean bag chair while having a second bean bag chair placed across the torso. This gentle weight and the continuous sensory feedback can be very calming and relaxing for a child with autism, helping him to organize his thoughts and center his emotions. Bean bag chairs are more than just a comfortable option for children's furniture - for kids with autism, they can be an important therapeutic tool, too.

With the many features and benefits of beanbags, buying one which provides the comfort and affordability necessary to meet your needs is crucial. Comfy Sacks has bean bags in a wide variety of sizes and colors. Instead of being filled with beans, they are filled with a proprietary blend of shredded polyurethane foam. This guarantees that it will be soft, and durable for years to come.

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Autism Treatment Info

When a child or family member is suffering from autism, it's just right that you look for the best autism treatment. It will usually include special diets, autism-vaccine, metal detoxification, methyl B12, and nutritional interventions. The treatment will usually vary depending on the condition of the patient. When you see the symptoms of autism, you have to consult with a medical professional so that the right therapy or medicine can be prescribed. It is important that you look for a specialist.

When you provide a treatment, you will have to look into tolerance. It's normal to note some form of irritation. You have to make sure that the patient is reacting positively to the treatment like that of a supplement. Monitoring the reactions is also essential to success. Careful observations are needed with regards to physical characteristics, learning ability, and emotions. As mentioned earlier, diet changes are part of the treatment plan. Since you can't change the patient's diet overnight, you have to gradually introduce it. You can try rotation or varieties in the diet. This can help in reducing allergic reactions. It's best if you focus on fresh foods and avoid frozen or canned fruits or vegetables.

Autistic patients should consume casein-free and gluten-free diets. Milk contains casein and this can help the patient. You can consult with a nutritionist to find out the special dietary requirements of kids. Perhaps you should look into the carbohydrate diet. However, you have to choose the ones that can be digested easily. Avoid giving potatoes and grains to patients. Make sure that you peel vegetables and fruits, and whenever possible, you have to cook them. Find out if the patient is allergic to some nuts. Don't forget to include soy in the diet because it is related to gluten and casein.

When you consult a doctor, the condition of the patient is assessed. According to statistics, there is no such thing as standard autism treatment. The practices and philosophies may vary depending on the medical professional. The medical history of the patient will be checked and the prognosis will be established. The ultimate decision as to the treatment to be used is still with the caregiver but if the parents are not open to it, they can work out an alternative. Giving a special drug to the patient may be necessary at times. You must be aware that there is no cure for autism.

You have to work for experienced professionals so that the right approach can be undertaken. Weigh the recommendations made by the professional and be sure to consider your resources. Make sure that you provide special education for the patient. If there are signs of aggression or misbehavior, you have to introduce the best treatment. It will usually be a combination of medications and behavioral treatments. Find out the nest techniques that you can apply so that you can better relate with the patient. If you can teach the patient to be self sufficient in some aspects, you can lessen the burden that is associated with autism.

For More Information about Autism Treatment. Please visit http://www.drakeinstitute.com/autism-treatment/

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Autism Sensory Integration - Why Does a Child With Autism Need Physical Therapy?

There are many reasons a child with Autism may need physical therapy. Physical therapy helps develop strength, develop balance, possibly provides sensory integration, and for many children is just plain fun. Physical therapists have well defined goals for the work they do with a child though.
Children with Autism are sometimes tight, sometimes floppy, and sometimes a combination of the two. Most parents see this in their child's trunk or core of their body. It later is evident in their arms and legs but we see it first in their body.
A babies body strengthens from the inside or core to the limbs. It is a similar process for a child with Autism to develop strength in the right areas. It is also a similar pattern to develop flexibility if that is part of the problem
Physical therapists work with large muscles. They can uniquely work with a child with a disability to help develop flexibility or strength. Physical therapists can manipulate your child's body. They also can help parents problem solve situations at home or in other environments parents go with their child.
Some of our children with Autism walk on their tip toes and could work with a physical therapist on this issue. Other children have problems with balance when they walk and somewhere someone will suggest physical therapy. The physical therapist can work with our children on going up and down stairs.
Usually an occupational therapist is the person to go to for help with sensory integration. Occasionally a physical therapist is interested in sensory integration issues and will provide a unique perspective. When looking for this type of therapy for a child with any disability you have to ask for sensory integration specifically. There are some teams that work on sensory integration that include physical therapists.
As parents it is just easier when our child likes to go to therapy. Some children with Autism are sensitive to touch and the therapist will have to work out those issues first. After that our children seem to like it though.
My child would also come out of the session tired. They had worked and played hard. Physical therapists may also give you 'homework' to do with your child between sessions.
Since parents want to see their child use skills over a variety of settings it is always a good idea to at least try the homework. Siblings and grandparents were always a good source of hands to try some of this homework.

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Mylinda Elliott is the parent of five children. The third of the five has Autism which was diagnosed early on. The fourth of the five children has Aspergers. She is a self taught expert on Autism Spectrum Disorders. Mylinda Elliott has also worked professionally in the disability world for the past fifteen years. She is considered the "Go To" woman for advice or resources on disabilities.

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