Isaac has not been diagnosed with anything nor have I taken him anywhere to be diagnosed. I am not a doctor but I can tell you from doing my own research that I am about 95% sure that Isaac has what is called Sensory Processing Disorder, a/k/a Sensory Integration Dysfunction.
Sensory Processing Disorder or SPD is a neurological disorder causing difficulties with processing information from one or several of the five senses. For those with SPD, sensory information is sensed but perceived abnormally. Unlike blindness or deafness, sensory information is received by people with SPD; the difference is that information is processed by the brain in an unusual way that may cause distress or confusion.
Some symptoms of SPD include:
- Fearful, anxious or agressive with unexpected touch
- Becomes fearful when touched from behind
- Resists friendly or affectionate touch from anyone besides parents or siblings
- Dislikes kisses
- Avoids messy play
- excessively ticklish
- Distressed by clothes rubbing on skin
- Distressed by seams in socks
- Distressed about having hair, toenails or fingernails cut
- May refuse to walk barefoot across grass or sand
- May crave touch, needs to touch everything and everyone
- Frequently hurts other children or pets while playing
- Avoids/dislikes elevators
- Afraid of heights
- In constant motion, can't seem to sit still
- loves being tossed in the air
- Always jumping on furniture, trampolines, etc.
- is a "thrill seeker" and dangerous at times
- Likes sudden quick movements
- Seeks out jumping, bumping activities
- Kicks feet on floor or chair when sitting at a desk or table
- Likes to be tightly wrapped
- Prefers clothes to be tight
- Loves roughhousing
- Frequently falls on floor intentionally
- Loves jumping off furniture from high places
- Frequently hits, bumps or pushes other children
- Seems to do everything with too much force
- Plays with animals with too much force
- Distracted by sound not normally noticed by others
- Often does not respond to verbal cues
- Needs directions repeated often
- Sensitive to bright lights
- Easily distracted to other stimuli in room
- Enjoys playing in the dark
- Difficult getting along with peers
- Difficulty accepting change in routine
- Can't go from sleeping to awake without distress
- Severe/several moodswings throughout the day
Until then we're trying to be as patient as we can and figure out what things work best for Isaac. Isaac is a true blessing to our family. A little more than 3 years ago I thought I'd never be a Mother. Then we were placed with Isaac. The ironic thing is that we received the call about Isaac just 4 days after another expecting mother looked at our profile and chose another family. Within days I was bonded to Isaac and I felt at peace. All the feelings I felt during our wait had vanished instantly. I had even told my family that if I never gave birth to a child I would be fine with that because of the deep love I had for Isaac. I can't explain it, but it didn't take long for me to feel like he was my son and some days I honestly forget he's adopted. Of course you all know how the story continues, God had more exciting plans for our lives with another precious boy. My boys are true miracles in our lives. It's not easy raising them. Each stage in their lives is different. The infant stage was hard because Isaac was still an infant when Caleb came along. Then things got a little easier after they turned 1. Now things are getting a little harder with having a 2 year old and almost 3 year old. They are at very trying stages of growing up but I wouldn't give it up for anything in this world. There's never a dull moment at our house and it's insane sometimes, but it's worth every cent!
4 comments:
With two boys, 23 months apart, I can empathize. (And I know the age spread of your boys makes things even more interesting.) I'm sure with your research, you have come across the Out of Sync books. As a special education teacher, I have passed that book on to many families. Does your local school district do preschool screenings? (Actually they are mandated by law.) You may be able to get your son evaluated and on board for services with an occupational therapist. Hang in there.
Thanks! He's been in Early Intervention since he turned 1 for mild speech delay. He's passed all of his goals and he just had another testing done. I don't have the scores back but our AEA person said she thinks his scores will be too high to get any services so I'll have to look into private services. We shall see what happens. He's not going to preschool yet but when he does they can do more testings then.
Jayden has SPD (not sure if you already knew that or not), and I had a slight feeling just from reading some of the issues you've been having with Isaac that he may have some sensory issues. Alot of what you've been dealing with sounds pretty similar to Jayden at that age as well. But there's hope :) Jayden is doing SO MUCH BETTER in the past year. Occupational therapy has helped him tremendously. When he was barely 2 yrs old, he refused to walk on the ground (or tile floors) without shoes or socks on and if he had on sandals and a rock or a piece of grass happened to get in the shoe, he had to sit down and get it out no matter where we were. Now, just a few days ago, he took off his shoes and ran along the beach, even in the wet sand! Also, there was a time he couldn't even go into walmart without being completely overstimulated. Now he does just fine.
Please don't let what the AEA person tell you stop you from getting him the services he deserves. You are his mother and know him better than anyone else does. You said you are 95% sure he has it and that's pretty high! Jayden's ABA therapist actually told me that Jayden didn't have a speech delay and wouldn't qualify for services. Well, he qualified for services in both MS and La! In MS his speech tested at that of a 2.5 yr old, so 24 months behond and in La it tested as that of a 2 yr old so 30 months delay. Jayden is going to be 4 in December and he's currently getting his speech and OT through the school sytem via a preschool program. Definitely get in touch with the evaluation center in your district and let them know your concerns. Also let them know that he has been in EI since he was a year old b/c EI graduates take priority. The out of Sync child booklets will help you tremendously, but only after Isaac has had a sensory profile done on him by a qualified OT. The profile will tell you what areas he is over processing in and which he's underprocessing in and then the book will guide you through each area, explaining the why's and what you can do to help. Without the profile, you risk doing more harm than good since you don't know exactly what is going on with his senses. Good luck to you guys!!
Thanks so much. I do plan on getting him evaluated to see what type of SPD he has and go from there. Of course with work and harvest going on it's been a little hectic. We've had a really good week with him so I feel the tonsil surgery has helped tremendously. We'll continue to get him any help he needs now or in the future. Thanks again.
Post a Comment