Therapist vent and sensory question

ToastieSimons

DS2's OT is very nice, but she has this "Don't worry I've seen it all" attitude.

We were talking about DS1 who has the same diagnosis to discuss some of the things that worked for us with him and his fisted hands and that he hates hand over hand.

She instantly says "Oh, that's because he's sensory avoidant."  I said that I didn't think so because I've never had an issue with him and sensory input (I never worry about clothes and tags or seams, he touches everything, he just hates hand over hand).  "he must be a sensory seeker then" was her response.  I said "I've never had a problem with him, he self soothes fine, he never digs his chin into me, or pushes against me for deep pressure input."

I think my kid hates hand over hand because for 2 years he was held down for countless blood tests, MRI's, lumbar punctures, surgery, etc.  And he's a very independent child.  If he's really absorbed in the play he'll let me help him a bit but he wants to do it himself.  He likes to watch and observe and then try it himself  Not be forced into doing it right away.

I just feel like because she's "seen it all" she's instantly writing my boys off because of their hypertonia.  While, other therapists all say they act nothing like children with tone that severe.  

I'm worried, am I annoyed with this because i'm trying not to see the issues with my mommy goggles on? 

The only thing I ever have to worry about with DS1 is little girls shrieking.  That's probably the only thing that upsets him.  I don't have to worry about where we're going and whether he'll get overstimulated or whether he'll be able to contain himself.  

kcisthebombdotcom

FWIW, I have two sensory seekers with two totally different personalities/quirks though they both hated hand over hand (but warmed up to it with lots of practice). One is underactive; the other is overactive. both are great self soothers, have never dug their chin into me and only one pushes into me for deep pressure input. They exhibit some traits of sensory avoiders (like with texture of food for my youngest) but neither has had issues with clothes or anything. Sensory issues are a weird thing.

To me (and there's probably lots of back story I'm missing so I might be off base) it seems like she's just trying to give you an explanation of the behavior you're seeing, not necessarily writing him off.

mommyof4boys

My suggestion is to complete a sensory profile.  I didn't think Matthew did some things until I had others point them out.  Where are you now?  If I can I will find one resources for you.

AgrippaRidesAgain

-auntie-:

If I had to guess, hand-over-hand feels like being told what to do which is an anethema to an independent-minded LO.

I vote for this too.  My DS does have sensory problems and has always hated hand-over-hand, but my NT DD does too.  She'll fist those hands right up, scream, and pull away the second you touch her arm to help her do something.  She's going to do it herself or not at all, darn it.