If this is your first visit, check out the community guide. You will have to Join us or Sign in before you can post.
Receiving too many notifications? Adjust your notification settings.
8 year old who has sensory processing issues

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.
Replies
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 !!!!!!!!!!
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
Senior online community officer
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.
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
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
Jean Merrilees BSc MRCOT
You can read more of my posts at: https://community.scope.org.uk/categories/ask-an-occupational-therapist