Sensory seeker and language delay

by Shannon
(Maryland)

My son will be 4 the end of September and has a language delay as well as sensory issues. He is a major sensory seeker and has anxiety. Anyone else know anything about delayed language and sensory issues? He is not on the spectrum.



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Nov 28, 2013
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starstarstarstarstar 		Spd
by: Anonymous

How old is your grandson? My son turned 4 the end of September and has been doing better by going to OT once a week. He still has language delay but is slowly improving. He too was diagnosed with SPD (sensory seeker).
Nov 28, 2013
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starstarstarstarstar 		Child with SPD
by: Anonymous

I have a grandson who has been diagnosed with SPD..From the time he was born we noticed that something was different. by age 1 his mum would say to me 'whats wrong with my son'. His behaviour was erratic, unpredictable, constantly on the go, no sense of danger, inability to listen and retain things said to him, going to the shopping centre was a nightmare. By the time he went to pre school the teacher noticed problems, she was not allowed to diagnosed but suggested fine and gross motor issues, speech problem and felt he may have SPD. Off to a psychologist and neurologist..had all the test imaginable and yes he has SPD and fine and gross motor delay. His speech is slushy says his teacher and while cute to listen to won't be cute as he gets older..He needs a weighty vest and wedge seat to stabilise him...without it he moves around constantly seeking deep pressure and fidgets...the O.T therapist said its his way of waking him self up and keeping alert. she has been marvelous in helping him and us. He constantly bangs into walls , doors, trips over..he has no spacial awareness. at pre school they use to put tape on either side of the climbing frame so he would know where the edge was. He is in year 1 now and has had a wonderful teacher for last two years.

The other mums who comes to do reading with his class thought he was just a naughty boy not sitting quitely etc. the teacher with my daughters permission has now told them what he has and they are more understanding. He is so totally loved by every teacher at the school..He is always happy and smiling and he has been tested for high IQ and yes he has this...he looks to older children rather than the ones his age, we are told this is because he finds the conversation more stimulating..he is always chatting to the teachers and helpers...one helper said to the teacher ..he is different and she can hold a full on meaningful conversation with him...not seen in her own child.
He is a marvellous boy but requires constantly supervision as he is inquisitive and just wanders off ..All the reports say he will struggle through life even though he has high IQ..his physical side will hold him back..He can't catch a ball, he can't hop..as a result he hates sport. He refuses to particpate mostly. The sport teacher is frustrated. Recently he managed to go two rungs on the monkey which for him is a milestone achievement. He likes making things and finding out how things work. He is still a nightmare at the shops..we went last weekend to kmart and lasted 40 minutes...he was all over the place , the OT has explained that all the noise is coming at him and he can't process it like you and I would. He has meltdowns , he doesnt listen , he tunes it all out..you can be yelling at him and he doesnt answer. Hey but we love him and wouldnt swap anything about him...he is adorable child.
Nov 03, 2013
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starstarstarstarstar 		Processing and makes sense!
by: Anonymous

Our son was born prematurely and has consistently been diagnosed with developmental delays due to this, mainly language delay and has moderate hearing loss in left ear only...hearing aid. He is cognitively 3 yrs. maybe at age 5, much progress, slowly but surely. Major speech delay. Picky eater, some adhd and autistic traits, hypo sensitivities (needing to touch signs, poles), often have to cut tags off shirts, obsessions with flags, (motion?), often has needed to hold something in his hand (fidget toy) for security reasons...seems to manage better when he does. He is very intellectual, compassionate and sweet in an environment where not being overstimulated, too distracting and overwhelming. Always wondered of anxiety issues...rarely sits in groups, even with extended family at dinner at times. Parallel play still an area of difficulty, but DOES engage in play when more gross motor skills are involved! Has had OT and Sp.T., but really want to help him as now integrating into regular school setting has become a HUGE area of concern recently. Presently, readjusted to paying at an amazing childcare facility for needs to be met and smaller group/more supports in place...for morning. The rest of the day I engage him into community indoor playground he loves, library or swimming. What can I do to help him developmentally and with this SPD he may have? Will ask his past therapists about this as well...never really diagnosed him with such. How can we accommodate to reintegrate back into Kindergarten? Not sure if he can manage and cope in such an overstimulating, high-volume/little supports in place?
Aug 12, 2013
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starstarstarstarstar 		Ideas
by: Anonymous

Thanks for your advise about finding him activities that make him feel good about himself. I just feel like if he could communicate better it would be so much easier. He climbs, runs & jumps as well as anyone his age but he can't seem to focus enough to play catch with a ball. The school seems to think he has a language/social delay and possibly ADHD but I think his underlying issue is SPD. School will not give my son OT bc they don't think it's bad enough!!! So so frustrating
Aug 12, 2013
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starstarstarstarstar 		activities as he gets older..
by: Anonymous

Shannon,

Just be prepared that you cant expect results right away like I did. I thought therapy was going to cure him in a month. Therapy takes time, but think of activities at home that will help him as well.. My son did not have tactile sensitivities (brushing), so we never went through that.. he had auditory sensitivities with balance and coordination issues..

These kids are so smart, they just need extra guidance and support. Great book for you to read is "The Out-of-Sync Child"-

Another thing to keep in mind, these kids tend to be very insecure. As he gets older, try to find activities that he will do well in - It will give him another focus and make him feel good about himself. We chose swimming (non competitive), karate (balance, coordination and discipline), and piano (auditory) -- Choose what would be suitable for your child...but these activities have been a saving grace for us.

Dont be fooled though, my son is almost 9 and we went through YEARS and YEARS of him NOT wanting to participate in ANY group setting/game/sport/activity. But I didnt give up -- and yes, it was extremely frustrating.. I didnt think he would ever "fit in" or do anything extra curricular..(these were the anxiety issues). As a mom, you just have to gently push... especially when you know it will help them in the long run.. Hope this helps..
Aug 12, 2013
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Almost 4 year old son
by: Shannon

Thank u so much for your comment. We just started seeing an OT two weeks ago so hopefully we will start seeing some progress soon:) it's such a tough situation bc he looks so so typical but he has issues w anxiety and he seek out sensory. Did u ever doing brushing? They are going to show me how to do it today?
Aug 11, 2013
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starstarstarstarstar 		Our son too...
by: Connie

My son didn't say his first word until 3. He had language delay as well. Didnt really start talking until 4. He was a late dx for SPD (with anxiety issues as well)- He also has ADHD.

He is now (soon to be) 9 .. Scores high on intelligence level, but NOT on the Autism spectrum (he was fully tested/evaluated). He does fine in the regular classroom (now that he is on ADHD meds. If your child is a sensory seeker, a therapist will help coach the teachers on how to accommodate your child, when your child is school aged. If you do therapy, find someone who has experience with SPD children.

Get your child evaluated immediately, if you havent already. We were so late in therapy. He didnt get diagnosed until age 7.. (I should say he was MISdiagnosed.. )

We did therapy for a short time, learned how to use the tactics at home - Just depends on the child.. and did a TON of research on our own.. Read the books too -

Anyways, your situation is very similar to ours. With proper guidance, these kids come a long way.

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