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sensory processing disorder?

woodstock46woodstock46
in Special Needs
Hi my son Lucas is 4 years 3 months of age and recently started receiving OT services for suspected sensory processing problems. His preschool recommended that we have him evaluated through CPSE as he was having difficulties functioning in the classroom (frequent meltdowns, difficulty making transitions, getting "stuck" several times a day, etc.) He scored very well cognitively. He is affectionate and enjoys interacting with his classmates. However the above problems are really getting in the way of him learning and is disruptive for the rest of the class. He seems to be responding well to the OT services so far and is also getting play therapy. We do see some of this behavior at home but I just thought he was a high maintenance child sort of fitting some of the characteristics of "spirited". I guess my question is: Does anyone here have a similar child where the sensory processing seems to be the main issue going on? He doesn't (at least for now) seem to be showing other delays and i am doubtful that he is going to be given services in public school. I have no idea if sending him to kindergarten in Sept. will be a good thing for him or if we should wait a year. Ack - i am just really feeling anxious about all of this - any support or advice is greatly appreciated!
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Re: sensory processing disorder?

  • kcisthebombdotcomkcisthebombdotcom member
    Is this a decision you have to make now? Can you wait until August and see where he's at then or do you have to make the decision soon? If possible I would wait until as long as possible and then see what his OT recommends--he might improve quickly with treatment. If this is something that needs to be decided on soon--taking into account he's a boy, having issues with classroom etiquette and would be one of the youngest in his class I would likely red shirt him another year.
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  • woodstock46woodstock46

    Thank you so much for your response. Hmm - i know a Vineland was done, not sure about BASC or ADOS- i have to review the reports. He speaks very well - scored well above average with language skills. Fine motor and adaptive are slighly below age level.

    I forgot to mention that he is very sensitive to light and sounds - this is partially why they think sensory issues - but yes i understand what you are saying re behavioral/anxiety based and it is so hard to tell the difference sometimes. It all seems so mashed together.

    So was your son diagnosed Aspergers in kindergarten? How old is he now? 

    Lucas has only been getting the OT and play therapy for a few weeks. We will be having an informal meeting with his OT next month. 

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  • woodstock46woodstock46

    Thank you for your response. No we don't need to make the decision right now but if we do red shirt him we need to find a program for the fall and i have to start looking asap as he can't stay in the preschool he is currently attending. (aging out)

     I think i want to find a program and pay a deposit to hold a spot for him but then cancel it and go ahead with kindergarten if he makes a lot of progress by the end of summer. 

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  • Rachel SonnierRachel Sonnier member

    Your son sounds a lot like mine. We had almost the exact same situation with him this fall, and he was dx with SPD. He is very bright, sweet, outgoing, with excellent verbal skills, but he struggles with fine motor delays as a result of the sensory issues. My son is a bit younger, but we did go ahead and register him for PreK4 in the fall. If he's not ready I will just lose my deposit unfortunately. We are hoping the OT and sensory diet will have helped him a little more by then. 

    Our son was also having a lot of trouble with meltdowns at school, and transitions. I'm not sure what "getting stuck" means. His sensory seeking and audio discrimination issues were making it very difficult for him to participate in class. We always thought he was just spirited too, until he started at the little daycare and it was obvious that he was a little more intense than the other kids. I was really worried about ASD or some kind of behavior disorder, but once we finally found this new OT, she explained to us why he was so frustrated, anxious, seemingly aggressive, etc in these situations, and what was causing the problem behaviors.

    After talking to her I understood what was going on so much more. She suggested reading "The Out of Sync Child." It helped to shed some light on how/what/why he was struggling the way that he was. I went through months of feeling really anxious about all of this as well, and trying to figure out wether or not I should sign him up for school, and stressing about how successful he could be in a classroom. I really hope you are able to figure out what to do. We had to register by January, because its a private school, but if you can wait and see how he does with the OT, it might make your decision easier. I am new at this as well, but in the past few weeks things are finally starting to look up. I hope they start looking up for you guys too!

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  • kcisthebombdotcomkcisthebombdotcom member
    imagewoodstock46:

    Thank you for your response. No we don't need to make the decision right now but if we do red shirt him we need to find a program for the fall and i have to start looking asap as he can't stay in the preschool he is currently attending. (aging out)

     I think i want to find a program and pay a deposit to hold a spot for him but then cancel it and go ahead with kindergarten if he makes a lot of progress by the end of summer. 

    I think this is a good plan. Good luck!

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  • mommytoconnormommytoconnor member

    My son is 2.5 and has SPD and speech delay.  He also struggles with tantrums and transitions.  His main thing is he craves proprioception.  He is being transferred from outpatient OT to in home services, which I am not sure will be of much help.  He pushes and pulls on doors and cabinets, which is due to his SPD and I think has become more of a behavior too. He is followed by devel peds and doesn't fall on the autism spectrum at this time.  I am having issues with him in daycare pulling on cabinet doors and such, he has on occassion pushed a child, but usually it's after they push him.  I am getting him into early preschool thru school district as he will turn 3 in 5 months. There he will be able to get OT,ST, etc, which is great.  I would speak to your OT about the school thing and see what they think.

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  • woodstock46woodstock46

     Hi Auntie,

    Thanks again for taking the time to give me feedback and information. I just reviewed Lucas' psych report. He was given the DAS II, BASC 2 (which i think was just our parent form), DAYC and during the social intake portion we were administered the Vineland. So no ADOS. The psychologist's credentials are "licensed psychologist" and after her name it says Psy. D    She made a wonderful impression on me - seemed very experienced and knowledgeable and i thought her extensive report painted an accurate picture of Lucas. But now i am concerned because there apparently wasn't an autism screening done.  I did read the description of Teddy in the book you gave the link to and i do see a little similarity - is the ADOS primarily a parent interview/form or is it administered to the child? 

    Sharon 

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  • woodstock46woodstock46

    Hi Rachel,

    After i read your response i left a message for my son's OT and when she returned my call i asked her if she thought that Lucas really has sensory processing disorder and she responded "absolutely". She went on to explain that his nervous system was essentially immature and his behaviors are his attempt to control his little world because he has so much trouble with registering sensory input. He seeks input to "wake up" his system or gets overwhelmed with input and gets into the flight or fight syndrome. His prematurity may well be the reason for these issues - not that it matters, just want to help him function in the classroom and life in general! The world seems so overwhelming for him :-(  I do feel so much better after talking to her. We are going to observe a session next week and she is going to recommend some things for us to do at home as well.

    Thanks so much for writing and good luck with your son in the Pre K 4. It sounds like he will do fine with all you are doing to help him.

    Oh and i am going to pick up the Out of Sync Child today :-) 

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  • woodstock46woodstock46

    Dear Mommy to Connor,

    That is great the your son will be able to get services soon in preschool. I hope the home OT will be good until then - why are they transferring him from outpatient to home services?

    My son's OT has only been seeing him a few weeks so she doesn't want to give her advice about kindergarten yet but the wonderful thing is that she has room in her schedule to see him privately if Lucas isn't approved to continue OT services through the school district. It will be very expensive i am sure and i hope we can continue getting services free of charge, but i am so relieved to know we can continue with her either way as she is really awesome.

     Best of luck to you and your son!

     

    Sharon 

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  • woodstock46woodstock46

    Dear Auntie,

     The teacher did fill out a BASC. 

    Thank you so much for taking the time to respond to my concerns. Since you have so much knowledge on these subjects I am especially grateful!!

     

    Sharon 

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