Sensory seeking and discipline

gremaud07

DS has sensory seeking behaviors and receives OT but never has been diagnosed with SSD.. He, also,  has a speech delay

I am looking for some pointers , suggestions, articles, or books on how to understand what is the best way to get through to him.  I have been getting short with him and I feel so bad. 

I feel lost ,confused, angry at God because I don't know what to do to help him anymore.

soontobeahigh

I don't have any advice for you. My DD does this sometimes, anything that vibrates goes into her mouth, the vacuum, washer, dryer anything. I have started letting her carry around a baby tooth brush that she works in her mouth. It seems to help, but I know its not the best solution.

Just wanted to give out internet hugs more than anything.

kcisthebombdotcom

My son is also a sensory seeker and we've had amazing success with positive discipline.

Here's a good site on implementing it in your day to day life:

www.ahaparenting.com

The Housewife

My almost 4 y/o DS is also sensory seeking with an expressive language delay and fine motor delay. What works for us is a TON of positive reinforcement and praise. Long before we even knew what SPD was and just thought it was in the most terrible of two's we modified "Happiest Toddler on the Block" to fit our family life. With his speech delay I really wanted to rely to him that he was mad and it was because of x, y and z. For us it worked out really well. 

The biggest, most life changing thing was me adjusting my expectations for him. Would I love to be able to plop him in the grocery cart like I can with DD and get all my shopping? Absolutely. But that is not a realistic expectation for him at this time.

 I try to give him any outlet I can, even if it makes the task at hand take 10x longer, at least it's not a fight to get it done. So for grocery shopping (which was our biggest battle ground) I let him push the cart. He responds really well to having a "job", so anyway I can, I give him a job. In the waiting room at the Dr office his job is to play with the toy that he brought with an inside voice. And just like I get paid for doing my job, he gets rewarded for doing his (it can be as simple as sticker). We set a timer in the evenings after dinner for 10 minutes where everyone has to "get their wiggles out". It usually involves him climbing the walls and being completely insane, but for 10 minutes (assuming what he's doing is safe) I deal.

JenGK

The Out of Sync Child is the SPD bible.

Ask your OT for ideas for a sensory diet -- this will help manage the sensory seeking behaviors in controlled, appropriate ways.

mommytoconnor

My son is also SPD and speech delayed.  The two go hand in hand.  I have learned alot thru getting my son's diagnosis and have seen inprovement.  First, it's great he is in OT, they should be able to give you some specific things your child can do.  Also get him started with Speech therapy as well, someone who knows about sensory stuff is huge.  Start a sensory diet, where you do something sensory based every 2 hours.  Some things I have done for my son are ball pit, bean box, vibrating toothbrush, lotioning, joint compression, brushing, crashing, weighted belt.  If you want specifics, pls PM me and I would be happy to share.  I also love the book "How to understand your childs sensory signals."  It's a great resource.  I know how you feel with being sad.  I also feel that way and sometimes you feel like there is nothing you can do and you are spinning your wheels so to speak.  It's a hard thing to have a SPD kid.  It's a daily challenge.  I found that I had to change my expectations and how  I approach or respond to things he does.  It's impossible to discipline my son. He finds everything funny.  He laughs at time out, he goes right back if redirected, he throws tantrums for nothing at all sometimes.  It's really rough, I'm not gonna lie.  Get started in early intervention program in your area and they can help you as well.  Good luck.

gremaud07

DS has been receiving ST for over a year, Ot just started at school this month...

Mommytoconnor I think our sons are twins- my ds doesn't take things for real and I feel if I yell then he gets that I am serious, I hate that.... 

The school is offering a Love and Logic class, do u think it will help?

 

robynlesley

My DS, who also had a speech delay, has sensory needs?a mix of seeking (particularly pressure) and avoidance (loud sounds, itchy fabric) but has no dx of SPD as he is "borderline." 

I found that as I addressed his sensory needs?he receives brushing therapy from me, taught by his former OT and deep pressure, bouncing on an exercise ball?he was more centered. There were less tantrums.

My 2 cents is to focus on his sensory issues and speech. As he is better able to communicate and be on an even keel, with sensory input, he should be able to respond better to discipline.   And for my DS, I do not use "time outs" as I feel they should be used for him to center himself when he gets overwhelmed by loud noises or large groups.

mommytoconnor

Auntie...What I was responding to in that previous post is that when kids have SPD and a language delay, it is hard to get the language on track if their sensory stuff is out of whack.  Not to say that all SPD kids have speech delays or that all speech delays are related to SPD.  The fact is that a kiddo with SPD and also has a speech delay, the sensory needs to be worked on first to help get regulated before much speech will develop.  Each and every single OT,ST, developmental peds I have worked with agree with this.

mommytoconnor

Auntie--Oh no no that was not what I was saying at all.  As a matter of fact, my son is developmentally on track or ahead on everything else but speech.  SPD can happen to anyone.  I actually have read two different studies saying that 1 in 20 kids is affected by sensory problems.  That is huge.  I just wanted her to know that until those sensory needs are met, it's gonna be difficult to tackle speech or discipline.  I am totally living the SPD thing.  I have learned so much and I have also learned so much from you.  You are such a great resource for us moms and it's really nice to have someone else to bounce things off of and get advice from.  It makes us all feel a little less alone in this fight.  Thanks for all you do and for making me clarify what I was meaning to say.  I would never want anyone to read that the wrong way.