Dealing with getting information about sensory issues.

[JenneinCA]

Anyone familiar with the Short Sensory Profile by Lucy Miller? As part of some other testing my youngest son (ds6) did this test. The information I have says it is a shortened version of Winifred Dunn's Sensory Profile.

 

He scored a Definite Difference in Tactile Sensitivity, Visual/Auditory Sensitivity, Low Energy/Weak and Movement Sensitivity. He also scored Probable Difference in Auditory Filtering. And Typical in Taste/Smell Sensitivity and Under-responsive/Seeks Sensation.

 

I am trying to understand what this means. My oldest (dd11) has sensory issues too, but hers were mostly food or clothing related and we have found work arounds for those. Peter's list seems much more scary and the tester strongly suggested I get him an OT Evaluation because all this sensory stuff was interfering with life.

 

I don't see it interfering with life. I just see my little boy. He does not like swings or finger paint or loud noises. He is very careful about not running into things and avoids crowds of people. He hates holding on to the paper with one hand and writing with the other. It is just how he is. I know he is the same little boy today that he was before I had this information, but seeing it written out makes me feel so inadequate.

 

Any information out there?

 

(If anyone can help with figuring out some EXTREME differences in WISC score subtests that would be nice too, but I don't want to post them.)

[Jan in SC]

It sounds like you have a happy, confident son who has some serious sensory issues. It also sounds like you have done an incredible job! Think of an OT evaluation as a way to help you continue to foster confidence. You might be able to work around any issues now. In fact, they might not even seem like issues. However, OT might open a new world to your child.

 

 

Sensory problems in older children, especially boys, can turn into behavior nightmares.

[Guest]

Of course he's still your little boy, just the same kid he was before, and it's important to remember that. But just as the diagnosis doesn't change him fundamentally, neither will OT. It will instead take roadblocks out of his way.

 

Under ten is a good age for OT because they still can enter into the games-like spirit of the activities. When they're older it becomes more difficult, more like work, and it's much more evident to them that something is "wrong" with them. Upper elementary level is also the age when many sensory problems peak; it's good to get some treatment for them so that normal developmental processes can evolve without the difficulties or obstacles in their way.

 

It may seem to you that not liking to swing or fingerpaint or hold paper with one hand, standing back when others are running, etc. are all just your son's perfectly acceptable eccentricities. But activities like this are part of the development of the whole brain-neuron connection system, affecting everything from balance to finger-eye coordination to anxiety levels. And also, they're just plain fun, and it's a shame when a child is held back from joining in that fun by his wiring glitches.

 

I can understand how the phrasing of the survey and test reporting can shake you up; I felt the same way when I got my daughter's first evaluation. But it isn't really that big of a deal once you see how well OT can deal with many of these symptoms or issues and how much more of the physical world opens up to your child as a result.

[golfcartmama]

We had an OT eval on my son (at my request, not the Peds or the ps at the time) and he had/has some sensory issues, but I will tell you...now we can go to the movies (before it was too dark and loud); he went roller skating; he wore a baseball uniform this season; he sings at birthday parties now; he was comfortable going to cub scout camp this summer (day not sleep over); he sleeps well and eats better; he tries new foods...like carrots, watermelon and cucumber...all of his own accord. His school work has improved tremendously--motor and coordination, along with endurance. These changes have all occurred in 6 months time. He is 7.5 and was evaluated in Dec at age 7. The eval is fun for him, they swing and throw balls, skip and find clues, etc. I really don't think you'll regret it!

[Renee in NC]

We had an OT eval on my son (at my request, not the Peds or the ps at the time) and he had/has some sensory issues, but I will tell you...now we can go to the movies (before it was too dark and loud); he went roller skating; he wore a baseball uniform this season; he sings at birthday parties now; he was comfortable going to cub scout camp this summer (day not sleep over); he sleeps well and eats better; he tries new foods...like carrots, watermelon and cucumber...all of his own accord. His school work has improved tremendously--motor and coordination, along with endurance. These changes have all occurred in 6 months time. He is 7.5 and was evaluated in Dec at age 7. The eval is fun for him, they swing and throw balls, skip and find clues, etc. I really don't think you'll regret it!

 

We have been doing OT for 2 months or so and I already see a difference. Neither of mine are hypersensitive, but my 12yo is and I wish that I had known about OT when he was young. His sensory issues are most certainly interfering with his life.

[gingersmom]

OT was the best thing to ever happen to my son.

 

I highly encourage you to take your son for an evaluation/services.

 

It does not change their personality. Your son may still hate the swings. Or he may decide he loves them. My son hated the motion of the baby swing as an infant (before I even knew there was a problem). Forget the swings at the playground. He was terrified. He now goes on the tire swing at the playground!

 

My son is just overall happier.

 

My daughter was actually jealous my son got to go to OT. If you saw where my son went for services you would be so surprised. It had a giant swing (with a platform), nerf basketball, ball pit, the whole place was covered in mats, big basketball net, every color marker ever made, etc. My son loved going to OT.

[JenneinCA]

Thank you. I will look into getting him an OT Evaluation after we get back to CA. He is such a fun kid and he loves so many things I just didn't expect this. Hopefully we will have some answers after the OT Evaluation is done.

[AspieMel]

Getting an OT eval and some therapy will help a lot, even if his sensory issues don't interrupt home life. Things may change as he gets older, and more involved in life outside of home. I also recommend the book "The Out of Sync Child"... It's great for info, and they have a separate book called "The Out of Sync Child has Fun" that has wonderful ideas for activities at home that can address sensory needs.

 

I have a sensory seeker, and a sensory avoider in the same house.. life is fun.. :)

 

Good luck!

[golfcartmama]

I also recommend the book "The Out of Sync Child"...

 

 

:iagree::iagree:

[Mom2J112903]

Anyone familiar with the Short Sensory Profile by Lucy Miller? As part of some other testing my youngest son (ds6) did this test. The information I have says it is a shortened version of Winifred Dunn's Sensory Profile.

 

I am pretty certain this is the testing that J just had performed.

 

He scored a Definite Difference in Tactile Sensitivity, Visual/Auditory Sensitivity, Low Energy/Weak and Movement Sensitivity. He also scored Probable Difference in Auditory Filtering. And Typical in Taste/Smell Sensitivity and Under-responsive/Seeks Sensation.

 

J is an under-responder and seeks sensation as well. He does not register the dizzy feeling, imagine what it is like in my house, lol.

 

I am trying to understand what this means. My oldest (dd11) has sensory issues too, but hers were mostly food or clothing related and we have found work arounds for those. Peter's list seems much more scary and the tester strongly suggested I get him an OT Evaluation because all this sensory stuff was interfering with life.

 

I don't see it interfering with life. I just see my little boy. He does not like swings or finger paint or loud noises. He is very careful about not running into things and avoids crowds of people. He hates holding on to the paper with one hand and writing with the other. It is just how he is. I know he is the same little boy today that he was before I had this information, but seeing it written out makes me feel so inadequate. What I bolded, that *is* interfering with life. He should not have to be careful or avoiding things.

 

Any information out there?

 

(If anyone can help with figuring out some EXTREME differences in WISC score subtests that would be nice too, but I don't want to post them.)

 

The book that was recommend is AWESOME. My looks, well, very well loved. ;)

J's SPD is so severe that he was actually placed on the Autism Spectrum, it interfere's with his life and development so greatly. So, if he is eval'd thru a team with a *good* OT, he has only SPD. If you eval him thru a doc whom is a ASD specialist, he is HFA now vs PPD-NOS as a 3.5yr old.

:grouphug:

[NCW]

You've had good responses. FWIW, the Short Sensory Profile is just a screening tool to help determine the need for a more thorough Occupational Therapy evaluation. It is also used in research to measure treatment outcomes.

 

The longer Sensory Profile gives more detailed information, and added to info from parent interview, testing, and clinical observations by the OT to complete a thorough evaluation. The Sensory Profile is only one of a variety of "checklist" type tools OTs use to gain this information...often they have more than one at their disposal, and pick whichever one they decide will best give the information they're looking for. No label of SPD or SID should be made on checklist information alone.

 

Hope that helps! Best of luck on your adventure with your son. It's all about making life easier for him, and hopefully for you and your family as well.

 

NCW