8 year old who has sensory processing issues

justthe5ofus

I joined scope in order to obtain some insight into my 8 year old who has sensory processing issues. He's under specialist care from an Occuoational therapist and speech therapist, however I feel there may be underlying anxiety issue.

steve51

Hi @justthe5ofus

Welcome to our website & online community.

I do hope that we can help/support you with your current problems ????

I have just read some info on our website.

Do you have anymore info on your son  ???? 

ie: condition so that i can make sure you have got the right stuff !!!!!!!!!!

Sam_Alumni

Hi @justthe5ofus welcome to the community.

We have a few people on the community you might like to chat with.

@RebeccaMHadvisor is our Mental Health Advisor, you can find the category here - https://community.scope.org.uk/categories/ask-a-mental-health-advisor

@Jean_Scope works on the Scope Helpline and is an OT

@ParentingAdvisor is our Parenting Advisor, you can find this category here - https://community.scope.org.uk/categories/ask-a-parenting-advisor 

I hope this helps, take a look around and let us know if you need any help

justthe5ofus

My my son is 8 and has always had little quirks. For instance, refused to wear shoes, jackets, trousers. Although he will now, but the shoes have to be 'just so'. Hated having his hair cut, thankfully he is okay now after desensitisation. He is always on the move, runs, jumps, rolls. Although he also has many moments of calm. At school he swings on his chair, fidgets with his hands, always in trouble for talking. He doesn't finish his work on time, and is academically delayed in comparison to his peers (specifically with reading ability). He is very impulsive, and while he's aware of consequences, in the moment, it seems like he doesn't care. I have a psychology degree and have tried every type of parenting approach without success. Every report card from P1 to P3 have stated that he has to concentrate more and that he is easily distracted. He is now in P4 and his new teacher shouts a lot, which results in him being sent to the head teacher. He isn't succeeding, and appears to be just coping to get through the day. For instance, he copies his friends work etc. His older brother, while still acting age appropriately, is well behaved and is learning successfully. 

He has a speech therapist for a mild speech delay, and I have recently contacted an independent occupational therapist who suspects sensory processing issues, and is in the process of completing a sensory profile on him. She suspects tactile defensiveness to a degree, and hyopsensitivity of the proprioreceptive sense. 

He loves to spray the air freshener and will stand and smell it. I have removed these from the house due to the chemicals and the havoc this will be having on his lungs. He has also recently began cutting his clothes at school. This started with his shoes, then his socks and now his trousers. I have explained the dangers, and he's fully aware. I have also offered him other things to cut. I'm unsure on how to deal with this and I am worried that this will eventually manifest itself into self-harming if I don't get a lid on it. 

Overall though, he laughs, plays, communication is fantastic so I do not suspect ASD. I do however suspect ADHD along with the sensory issues. However, at the moment I am more concerned with the scissor use and would appreciate advise on how to deal with this. 

Also, his school do not suspect anything, but his last teacher said he can't keep his bum on his seat and fidgets. Coupled with his struggling academics, easily distracted, and this anxious behaviour at school. I really don't understand how they can't see this? His speech therapist reported that he was extremely restless and she only spent an hour with him. As does his after school club, therefore we know the problem isn't just at home. 

Thank you. 

RebeccaMHadvisor

Hi @justthe5ofus

I am sorry to hear of the difficulties that you and your family are going through. I am afraid that education and the assessment process for getting a statement is not my speciality however the experience i had tells me that some schools are better and identifying and supporting children and young people than others. I have personally written to the Education Secretary on this matter and the lottery situation that we find ourselves in.

It is great that you are in his corner and are trying to ensure he has the support he needs and deserves and that you have an occupational therapist who supports you.

School can make a referral to have your sons needs assessed however it sounds as though that probably isn't going to be your best route so you may want to start with your GP if you haven't already. Once you son is assessed and his needs identified it will make things at school a little easier.

However, this is a long and very slow process I am afraid.

Rebecca 

Jean_OT

Hi @justthe5ofus

As Sam_Scope mentioned I am a qualified Occupational Therapist, although my job role within Scope is as an Information Specialist.

I just wanted to echo the “Welcome to the on-line community” and say that I’m pleased that you have managed to contact an Independent OT who obviously has an understanding of sensory processing issues. Certainly, on the limited amount of information available from your posts, I found myself nodding in agreement that sensory processing issues should be explored as a possible explanation or partial explanation for your son’s behaviours.

In the UK it can be difficult to find NHS professionals with an understanding of sensory processing, I am aware that there is a specialist unit at the Royal Free Hospital https://www.royalfree.nhs.uk/services/services-a-z/occupational-therapy-services-for-children-and-young-people/specialist-services/sensory-integration-therapy/  which might potentially be worth talking to your son’s GP about. Alternatively, perhaps your Independent OT could recommend any other local resources that might be beneficial to your family.

I suspect you may well be familiar with how sensory processing disorder can present, but as this thread is likely to attract the attention of other concerned parents I thought it might be useful to include a link to a ‘symptoms checklist”: http://www.sensory-processing-disorder.com/sensory-processing-disorder-checklist.html

And support/information resources:

http://www.spdsupport.org/aboutus/index.shtml

http://www.sensory-processing-disorder.com/sensory-processing-disorder-blog.html

https://www.sensoryintegration.org.uk/

http://lemonlimeadventures.com/sensory-hacks-focus-fidgety-child/

 

I don’t feel it would be appropriate for me to comment on how to manage your son cutting his clothing as remedies to this will really depend on why he does it. Sometimes children have insight into their behaviour and will be able to explain it, especially if parents questions come from a position of neutral curiosity. Many children will lack insight or be unable to express themselves, in which case more complex professional assessment may well be necessary

Best Wishes

Jean_Scope

Ricky25

[Removed by moderator - please do not give medical advice.]

megs2019

Hi and welcome @justthe5ofus  I hope everything works out for you hun good luck with the help hun.