Any suggestions for dealing with this? Sensory issues

Re: Any suggestions for dealing with this? Sensory issues

• andreas4dogs

  February 2010

  docmay25:

  Jack has Sensory Processing Disorder.  He used ot love to wash his hands or use sanitizer.

  All of a sudden about a month ago he can't stand it. It isn't the water that is the issue, but the soap.  Any soap or sanitizer that I try to have him use he freaks out because of the smell.  Some are so mild I can't even smell them, but he refuses.

  He won't even play with his little sister after she uses them because he "doesn't want to smell her".

  We had a huge meltdown tonight because he got poop on his hand after wiping himself and didn't want to wash his hands with the soap.  He wasn't bothered by the poop though!

  Any suggestions of what I can do?  He does not see an OT anymore because of insurance denying any more services, so I am on my own.

  Uggh, I am sorry you are going through this! Do you think it would help if you let your son pick the hand sanitizer / soap out? So he has more of a say in it?

  My son used to HATE the feel of playdoh but has grown to love it because of gradual exposure (over MONTHS)

  Is he seeing an OT in school? Maybe you can emphasize that.

  
  You will forever be my best friend. I can almost feel our hugs. I will ensure everyone will know (now and in the future) what a genuine, kind, loving person you were...I already miss your laughter and our daily conversations. I love you, Samantha. May 20, 1983- February 20, 2012

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• docmay25 member

  February 2010

  No services thru school.  He goes to a private preschool.  The public preschool said that he did not need services.  I fought it and lost.  I will begin my fight again in fall when he starts kindergarten.  Insurance is not giving us any more private OT.  WHich leaves me on my own to figure things out.  It is very frustrating.

  
  
  
  

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• mommyof4boys member

  February 2010

  There are soaps with no smells.  Can you look into something like that?

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• bugmommy

  February 2010

  What about a wipe (non-scented, anti-bacterial like some of the Wet Wipes)?  I'm going to assume that you have tried the unscented soap route and he can still "smell" these. Or is there anything that he does like the smell of afterward?  Maybe playing with that second?
  

  Has it been 6 months since his last evaluation from the school system?  Are you entitled to have him evaluated again now?
  

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• andreas4dogs

  February 2010

  I am sorry you are not able to get OT through school. That is terrible & disgusting. Did you have to appeal the decision I assume?

  
  You will forever be my best friend. I can almost feel our hugs. I will ensure everyone will know (now and in the future) what a genuine, kind, loving person you were...I already miss your laughter and our daily conversations. I love you, Samantha. May 20, 1983- February 20, 2012

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• qtmimi19

  February 2010

  I'm an OT, do other smells bother him or just the smell of the soap?? It might be that he is using the "smell" excuse because he doesn't like the soap on his hands. Washing of hands is a huge sensory stim activity especially for a child with SPD. Have you tried any social stories about hand washing? Is he usually more tactile defensive??

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• docmay25 member

  February 2010

  It is smells.  Touching things don;t really bother him too much.  he uses paint,playdough etc just fine.  But is very sensitive to smells.

  
  
  
  

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• sacey21

  February 2010

  
  

  i'm just lurking here, but would he be into making his own soap? since you don't think he has a problem with textures, maybe he would enjoy picking out all the ingredients and then making it?! i am a K teacher and sometimes i use this strategy with my students. it might gove him a sense of ownership. lots of luck and keep fighting for him!

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