 | My son is 4 years old and in full time day care. It took him several months to be able to speak to one of the teachers (he could speak to other children fairly soon) and even longer to be able to participate in class. After several months of concern when he was about 3.5, I began to explore various diagnoses. The best I found was sensory integrative dysfunction. Basicly, my son is so sensitive to sensory stimulation in new situations or situations with lots of children etc. that he is overwhelmed with trying process sensations. He becomes almost paralyzed....he can't speak. We went to two birthday parties a year ago with kids from his daycare group and he couldn't move....just sat in my lap. There are times when you can see he really wants to speak and he can't get the words out when put on the spot like being called on by the teacher. We took him to an Occupational Therapist who specializes in kids with these issues. It turns out he had many other related issues like a hypersensitivity to foods (he would only eat soft bland foods), hypersensitivity to sound and touch, and some deficits in gross motor skills again because jumping, climbing, etc. was at times too much stimulation. With 6 months of therapy once a week, he has made tremendous strides. He can now talk and participate....but any newcomer in the class and he has to go through a process of getting re-adjusted. This has nothing to do with ADHD. It is a matter of the neurological system maturing and finding appropriate pathways for kids who are either over-sensitive or under-sensitive. Even though he has made great strides in daycare, I am very worried about kindergarten next fall. That will be bigger and, perhaps less sensitive to him. I think that kids like my son need a lot of gentle encouragement and understanding, and maybe OT intervention, to find ways to handle normal life experiences. |
PREVIOUS MESSAGE
PREVIOUS DISCUSSION