Sensory Issues

I have been visiting and posting on this forum for about a month now. I have read many great posts and I am hoping you can help me.

I have 2 sets of twins one year a part. 3 of mine are in OT/PT. We began in-clinic OT this week b/c the OT coming to the house wasn't meeting the sensory issues we are having. One of the 2 1/2 year olds just began "brushing" to help with his sensory needs. He has been resistant and hates the process. Has anyone else used this? Did it work well?

Also, one of the 1 1/2 year olds isn't bearing weight on his feet. Sometimes we will stand, but he hates it and will curl toes, etc. We are going to the neurologist next week to rule out anything from that view point. The OT today said she hasn't heard of this and said it would be an extreme sensory case if this is the issue (the PT said that as well). He is beginning to attempt to climb stairs but acts so afraid. I am not sure if this is a sensory issue or behavioral. Has anyone heard a child not wanting to stand? (We did rule out physical problems such as hip displacement, etc.)

Any advice would be appreciated!

 

Sounds like you are already on the right track and covering all of your bases. I would rule out any medical issues first and then look into sensory issues. Both my twins are being worked up by OT for sensory issues. I am amazed at what I have leared already. I do know that tip toe walking is often a sign of sensory issues or autism (not saying your child has either of these). I would just keep doing what you are doing. And maybe someone here will have experienced your situation.

 

My neighbors little girl was born two months early, spent time in Nicu and had some sensory issues that they said was due to this experience. She did not want to stand and would curl her toes, she also did not like to grasp items. They spent alot of time through the day making her stand as much as they could just to get the sensation, the weight on her toes,feet and legs. I know she went to ot and did alot of it at home. she has actually since moved, so I can not ask her specifics. But, I do not think it is that unusual. I did not get that impression from her.

Good luck. I do not know if this helps at all, but maybe to know it might not be as "un heard" of as the ot and pt implied.

 

One of my girls has sensory issues and did NOT like to bear weight at all on her legs until she was about 13 or so months and then was a late walker at about 17 1/2 months. She also walked tip toe (and still does on occasion- esp w/o shoes). She has some sensory issues besides that (loud noises, spinning movement)- and has been in OT & PT. She is dx w/ mild CP in addtion to the sensory stuff...but that said we have seen GREAT GREAT GREAT improvements.

I can at last flush the toilet around her, run the garbage disposal, she can run & jump....I love it. Some of the sensory stuff the OT does is have her jump (or bounces her) on a soft ball, trampoline, gentle rough housing, 'paint' with sand- shaving cream- paint- or other gooey stuff, have her walk on varying surfaces w/o shoes, sand play, swing play. We also do audio training w/ a cd at home to help with the auditory stuff. She did not like to go up/down stairs because it was scary (she still crawls up them on occasion) and she did not feel safe standing. I have seen a huge improvement and am not so afraid that we will have sensory 'overload' in public anymore and she is really happy.

I think you are doing the right thing with OT. Our behaviors peaked around 20 months or so and have improved as well when she could express her fears better. Keep it up!

 

I'm an OT and I know kiddos that were in the nicu might have sensitive feet as they are older from getting heel sticks. Deep pressure to the feet/massage to the body helps with this. I work in a school setting with many children with autism and for me I use brushing as a last resort only b/c in the school setting it's hard to get it in and then not much in terms of carry over at home. But outside the school setting I have found it to be effective and some kids have been quite resistive to it in the beginning.
As for me, I'm not comfortable forcing a treatment and would resort to something else. PM if you want to talk more. I'll try my best to help but it's hard without seeing the child.

 

Hopefully after you see the neurologist and maybe do some testing you might have a better idea about what you're dealing with and what is most helpful for your child. My girl curls her toes and does not liek to bear weight on them but she has hypotonia so her muscles don't really respond as expected. It's not a sensory issue rather a muscle tone issue. There might be a number of reasons for the same thing.
Hope your questions are answered by the neuro. :hug99: