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Babies: 9 - 12 Months
Dreamsicle23
member
Is "sensory issues" the new ADD?
Dreamsicle23
member
I see so many people (particularly on the older boards) mention their kid has "sensory issues"? Is this an actual diagnosis? Is it just a catch-all title they put on kids who freak out a lot? I have never heard of this before the bump.
Bar tab = $156,000, Bus to Foxwoods = $0, Puking in the Stanley Cup = Priceless
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Re: Is "sensory issues" the new ADD?
I myself, have "sensory issues", more so when I was a child with the way my clothes fit, I would freak out when my nails were cut too short and if the seam of my socks did not feel right, etc. It has to be genetic because my Father and younger brother on that side both have had similar tactile issues.
I don't have as many tactile issues now, but they are still there. For the most part I have a big issue with noises, particularly when I am trying to sleep. I really really hope my DD doesn't get this because it really can be very frustrating and defeating at times let me tell you.
I've heard occupational therapy works wonders and is sucessful at "re-wiring" the brain..
There are a lot of different ways that "sensory disorders" manifest themselves, so the term is kind of a catch-all.
My DD has responded very well to occupational therapy, but it was really just the tip of the iceberg (she was just diagnosed with OCD).
It's called Sensory Processing Disorder. It's not about "kids freaking out a lot", it's about their brains not processing sensory information properly and either giving it too little or too much "weight", so to speak; to the point of interfering with everyday function/concentration/etc.
"Sensory issues" is the generic term, because SPD means different things in different kids. It can be about food, or touch, or smell, or sound, etc. Not that long ago, I saw a post from a mom whose son has sensory issues and he told her that it physically hurts him to give hugs. His brain interprets the sensation of a hug as painful.
I have a friend with a micro-premie born at 24 weeks who is now 3, and has sensory issues. It's often seen in children on the autism spectrum, although at this point my DD1 doesn't have any known sensory issues.
You sound really skeptical of this in your post. Just because you haven't heard of something doesn't mean it doesn't exist.
DD1, 1/5/2008 ~~~ DD2, 3/17/2010
"the new ADD?" Really? What an idiotic thing to say.
DS has auditory sensory issues, yes he was diagnosed.
If he is in a crowd he can't focus on one voice, if the a/c is running he can't filter that sound out to listen to me, if the tv/radio/dryer/dishwasher is on it is very difficult for him to carry on a conversation but it is especially difficult in a crowd when many people are talking at once - so, yes, he freaks out a lot at parties, in classrooms, at the mall, etc. He doesn't know how to deal with the "static" of so many noises at once so he tries to run from the crowd or to lash out at someone. Wedding receptions are hell because there is loud music and a crowd of people talking; he just runs for the door. He is in behavioral and occupational therapy for that.
ETA: Did you ever think that you've never heard of it before The Bump because this is a place that was created to talk about children. Where else in your life do thousands of women talk about so many different kids?
If you want to learn more about Sensory Processing Disorder you can read The Out-of-Sync Child by Carol Stock Kranowitz, MA. I don't get the impression that you are remotely interested in learning anything but I'm putting it out there.
I agree! That statement is like saying "Is Autism the new terrible two's?"
OP, have some sensitivity. You obviously don't know anything about "sensory issues" or how they affect the lives of the kids who have them or their parents who have to deal with it. The term is probably thrown around a lot more than it used to be, so that is why you suddenly seem to be seeing it all over the place. Years ago these issues were probably treated like quirks.
My son gets completely overstimulated when he is in busy public places like crowded parks and restaurants. He can't process all of the sights and sounds, so he reacts by getting completely hyped up. He runs around like a wild animal out of control and when it is time to leave, we have to drag him out kicking and screaming. He has been getting Occupational Therapy for it for 6 months and is getting a lot better. I have a friend whose son cannot stand the sound or feel of running water. It takes two adults to give him a bath because he hates getting wet. And I have yet another friend whose daughter can't deal with the texture of most foods and gags and vomits while eating. All of these are sensory issues...they have nothing to do with Attention Deficit Disorder.
I didn't take OP as being insensitive. I don't think she was comparing it to an actual diagnosis of ADD, but more the over-use of labeling ADD. Just my take.
As a teacher, I see many children at school who are either labeled or the parents state that they have sensory issues. I had a little girl totally freak out in my class because her jeans had buttoning pockets on the back and she could feel the button through her jeans when she would sit. I also have a little boy who can not listen to any music in a minor key (I'm a music teacher) with out completely falling apart. He will literally get sick to his stomach and work himself up to a complete panic attack when music comes on that makes him uncomfortable (I'm talking crying, covering ears, rocking, screaming "stop it, stop it").
Most of the kids I teach labeled with a sensory disorder seem to legitimately have stimuli that they respond to very differently than other children would. I do have a few students, though, who seem to just be a little quirky. It seems that now everyone wants to diagnose everything. Iin my opinion, there's room for quirky kids/adults and not all of them need to be labeled (obviously others need intervention and labeling/diagnosing is required).....same goes with some of my "ADD" students. Some seem pretty legit, others seem to be getting away with things and have parents who have lost control. I'm not comparing the disorders, just the labeling.
My daughter has SPD. It's very difficult to deal with and explain to people. People who aren't around her all the time may not notice or think she's going through her "terrible twos" but it's very different.
Lucy only eats dry things, almond milk yogurt, and one specific shape of macaroni. This is a vast improvement over the baby food she lived on for almost two years. She won't touch other normal foods and in the off chance she puts it in her mouth she gags and will most likely puke. This means we can't take her out to eat, have a normal family meal, or really go a day where both of us don't end up crying.
Imagine how helpless you would feel if you couldn't get your child to eat. I would do anything to get my daughter to eat even one bite of and apple or piece of chicken.
We have to use weighted blankets and a compression vest just so she will feel normal. Loud noises or even the anticipation of a loud noise can send her into a crazy tantrum that will affect her the rest of the day.
We have 3 hours a week of therapy that is very very slowly making a difference. One of the happiest days I can remember is the day she finally touched a piece of play-doh without recoiling.
SPD is very real. I'm sure most children deal with sensory issues on some level but please know it's a very real and heartbreaking thing to deal with.
*hugs* Tactile has to be the most difficult to deal with, especially when it affects her eating. DS's SPD is low-level and almost completely auditory and we can control the sounds in our home or remove him from loud situations usually. You can't just not feed your daughter. I hope therapy continues to help.
Thanks, I know OP meant no harm we've just been through a lot of family telling us she's perfectly normal just very strong willed. It hit's kind of deep when I catch a "made up" vibe.