Kaytee

depends on the severity. From what I have been told from my friends (and them told by the child's therapists and docs) is that it is lifelong, but the goal is to teach the child coping mechanisms that allow them to look at function as a normal adult.

For example, my frineds little girl is 23 months old. When she gets over stimulated or mad about something, she will bite her fingers or arm until they bleed. If you try to pull her hand away from her mouth she will bite down even harder. So one thing that they are teaching her mom to do is: everytime she starts to see the child getting upset (before it gets out of control) to tell her that we don't bite others or ourselves when we are upset, and then give her a chewy toy, its basicslly a teether, little rubbery looking thing. It really seems to help this little girl doing that. She will bite it really hard but then calms down quickly.

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trayntay

I happen to have a daughter with Sensory Processing Disorder. She was diagnosed at around age 3 also, and is now 10. I am "self taught" on the disorder, so I have read anything and everything I can get my hands on. One of my favorite books is "The Everything Parents Guide to Sensory Integration Disorder" by Terri Mauro. I also have plenty of other websites, books, etc that I can direct you to if you would like.

Good Luck!! The more you understand your child, the easier things are to deal with.

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ymann68

i will check that book out. I have a question for you...My daughter has been in therapy for a little over a month and i guess I see a little improvement. The therapist thinks that after a few months she won;t have to go to therapy anymore. I just wonder how is your daughter now at 10..I also wonder if it is the therapy working or is it just that she is getting older and learning to deal more. it is a very interesting but difficut diagnosis.

trayntay

I know how you feel! We took our daughter to an OT for about 6 months - she recommended the brushing treatment, muscle strengthening exercises, joint compressions, etc. We did all of it for a while, then her Dad decided he wasn't seeing any changes, so he didn't see the need to continue. We also began taking her to a child psychologist to help her deal with her "temper fits" as we called them.

We have gone through 3 therapists off and on, and now we are back off. My daughter has progressed greatly, but I think a lot of it has to do with my research and changing the way I parent her. I don't expect the same from her as used to. I have resolved myself to ONLY buying her clothing I KNOW she will wear, I don't complain about her not wearing socks, pants, tights, or shoes that surround her foot. We only take a bath every other day (unless necessary) and we don't worry about drying her hair with a blowdryer. If she doesn't exactly match when we go out - oh well.

I still struggle with her Dad and his Mom (we are no longer together) understanding. They don't "believe" in the disorder, so I have to keep reminding him not to spend money on things unless she is with him! Otherwise, he will be taking it back - or wasting it.

This year she started acting lessons (she is a natural drama queen) and I have seen a HUGE difference! It has helped her self-esteem greatly. She knows she is not like other kids in what she likes. We have had many talks about it. There were a few years where she got teased for not wearing pants, only dresses - or not wearing tennis shoes.... She tried to do those things numerous times, but just couldn't. And I just kept telling her it was okay. Her true friends don't seem to care. Now I am just praying she will be able to handle middle school!

To answer your question (in a VERY long way), I don't know if the therapy worked or she has just learned to adjust. I think a little of both. I also believe her medication (Lexapro and Risperdol) helped quite a bit. I struggled with the medication issue for a long time, and finally gave in just over a year ago. It has really helped her to keep her composure when she gets frustrated. Now she can peacefully figure out a way to deal with her problems.

I know it is VERY difficult to know what to do. There is no easy answer, and no two children work the same. I can only offer suggestions based on our experiences. I only hope it helps in some small way - I always wished I could find someone who understands!! And still do!

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:wubclub: Tracy

ymann68

When we first got the dignosis my inlaws were skeptical...but i made them read the out of sync child and like ,e many things clicked like we were reading about our daughter. It explained so many things about why she is like she is. I am going to keep doing therapy for a little longer and see what happens. Wish me luck I am heading to Pennsylvania with her tomorrow and she does not wear long sleeves or jackets or hats. we live in the atlanta area and she gets away with all that here but in all that snow. Today i took her to target for a pair of boots...lets just say it was not a very pretty sight in the shoe department. I will let you know how it goes when I return next week. thanks for all your advice.

trayntay

I'm glad your family will read the info you give them. I pass it along, but I think it gets passed over.

You have my deepest wishes for a good trip! There are no long sleeves, jackets, or hats here either. We are in KY so it is not too bad here, but my family is in VA. We feel your pain! Especially in the shoe departments!!! Been there - done that!

I'll be anxious to hear how it goes.

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ymann68

Well..we just got back from our trip up North. We had 6 inches of snow fall while we were there. I don't know why but she did great..She even wore boots and snow pants. She gave a little fight at first but then she learned how to make a snowman and she didn't min d wearing the clothes. I can't wait to show the pictures to her therapist. What ever they are doing in the ot therapy is really making a difference in all our lives.

fallon

I'm glad to hear things went well

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trayntay

That is so great to hear!!
We too have found that once she becomes distracted from the clothing issue, she tends to be okay.

We have also found that our daughter won't make a "scene" when she is not at home. For example, her paternal grandmother bought her a pair of tall furry boots for Christmas (I told her not to). She wore them home from grandma house that day (to make G'ma happy) and now won't go NEAR them! That happens a LOT. She does/wears things to make others happy - but then once it is done, will NEVER do it again. Then it is too late to return it! We go over that again and again - stop trying to please everyone else!! We would rather you say you don't like it and let us get our money back.

I hate that she feels the need to please everyone else so much!!

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:wubclub: Tracy

kra

I think my daughter might have sensory processing disorder. She hates seams and tags in her clothes. Getting her ready for school in the mornings has been a nightmare. I have started cutting all the tags out of her shirts and pants and it's like pulling teeth finding some socks that she will wear. Has anyone else had this problem, especially the socks? Does anyone have any suggestions?