My almost 3 year old and sensory issues?

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Detren
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02 Feb 2009, 10:00 pm

Well, I think my 2 (3 in april) year old is a sensory seeker.

He still gnaws on his pacifier at 2 (which is only a night time thing now, but if he gets a hold of it he just goes to town). He has managed to break an arm super manning off my bed, we had a cast for about a month. Before bed a couple minutes ago he was leaping off my bed and into the back of the office chair and laughing like mad. I just had to stop a game that he playing... apparently you lie on your stomach on a pillow and (feet down belly to pillow) and push yourself as fast as you can down the steps... He loves running into things and likes to jump as high as he can and land in a sitting position. He knocked the wind out of himself yesterday for about 5 seconds. He loves to spin and rough house and will bang his head on the hard wood floors for fun, he will also smack himself in the head and say "ouch, ouch" (mostly because that is what people say after they see him do it... I am thinking.)

He's resourceful too, he managed to show his older brother that you can push a chair to the stove, climb ONTO the stove and get to things on top of the fridge.

He does however seem to realize when too much might be too much. He gets "stuck" on his big brother's bunk bed and needs to be rescued. At least he doesn't jump from that, but I don't know that it will be much longer.

I think I'm going to have to buy him a little kiddie trampoline or something to spare my poor bed.

He also will strip down naked, which might just be a little kid thing. I seem to remember my next up doing that for a little while as well. He is also a runner, go in public and he is OFF, I unbuckle him last (out of 4 boys he HAS to be last out or he will run away, just off to look at the cars in the street, or to see what some kid 4 isles is screaming about.).

It seems to have become more noticable, dramatic? in the last couple weeks.

I think I will need to schedule an appointment with the family doctor soon make sure something isn't going on.



jat
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02 Feb 2009, 10:45 pm

Your little guy definitely sounds like a sensory seeker, and while there's no harm in seeing the doctor, I wouldn't count on getting much useful information there either. Your best bet would be to get him evaluated by an OT who is experienced in Sensory Processing Disorder. Unfortunately, it is unlikely that your early intervention folks will help you out on this, unless there are significant developmental delays (fine motor). He sounds like his gross motor skills are fine! LOL! An OT who is experienced in this area should be able to guide you in ways to help him get the sensory input he needs in the best possible ways.



Detren
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02 Feb 2009, 11:09 pm

I have a great family doctor, he's there for the little stuff and ready and willing to ship us off with referrals to specialists he trusts. All the specialist he has recommended thus far have been wonderful.

I use him as a hub to keep everything together, and to get referrals going.



jat
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03 Feb 2009, 7:00 am

It's great to have a family doctor like that - and if he can recommend good specialists for this, you'll be in great shape! I misunderstood ... I thought you were counting on him to diagnose directly. I've heard of family doctors who act as that kind of hub - never encountered one. :wink:

If your doctor doesn't know anyone who's good on sensory processing, your local autism support group (online) or sensory processing group should be able to help you.

Our sensory seeker gets much rammier in the winter since there are fewer outlets for him. Also, when he gets a chance to swing or jump on the trampoline, he's in much better shape for quite a while.

Our Aspie (teenage, very verbal and insightful), who is not a sensory seeker, says that jumping on the trampoline settles him. My guess is that it does the same for the sensory seeker.