SPD Son and School Complaints

by Cheli
(Florida)

My son just started preschool. He is 3 1/2 years old. When he was accepted I told them about his sensory issues and tried to explain as best I could what that meant. First 2 weeks of school went GREAT. No real issues.




Then last week we get a letter from the teacher saying that he is refusing to keep his shoes on at school, taking both his shoes and socks off every chance he gets and refuses to put them back on. During circle time, he is refusing to sit still and often gets up and wanders around the room and won't return to his seat when asked for. The OT/ST told us this was because he has an auditory delay.. teachers say he's just downright ignoring them.

He is an extremely picky eater/drinker and refuses what they offer most days at school but he's SOOOO SMART.

He has already mastered all the academic goals for his class for the YEAR but due to age requirements can't be moved up to hard class work.

There are 30 children in his class and he is often over stimulated.

We had him evaluated by EI before he turned 3 and because he wasn't academically behind he didn't qualify for services but I feel like his behaviors are getting worse and spiraling and the teachers are asking for help and I don't know how to help them :(

When we consult with the therapist, we're told that it's sensory related but not what to do for it.



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Oct 17, 2009
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Outside OT
by: Anonymous

My son is 7 and has Auditory sensory processing disorder. I really recommend getting him into a private Occupational therapy that deals with SPD, because of his age you will be amazed at what he can learn about himself and how to control it and what YOU can do to help him when he can't.

When I say private, I mean outside school, why? because I have found, at least in our district the OT's basically deal with fine motor, and they need alot more then that. I had my son doing OT, music therapy and cranial and amazed at my son and how as he improved.

He still has difficulties now and then but nothing like in preschool and can now tell my how he is feeling and what he needs to bring himself down. I did luck out with an incredible school that goes out of there way to help him when he needs it! From what I hear, this is rare!
Oct 06, 2009
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Rocking Chair for School
by: Anonymous

My 4 year old son sits in a rocking chair for circle time and that has really helped him. We asked the school if that was ok and then brought in our own instead of waiting for them to order one.
Oct 05, 2009
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Stay Positive
by: Charlie's Mom

I would suggest looking into Brush Therapy. My son Charlie has SPD along with epilepsy and it has worked wonders for him. We discovered it took his body more work to sit still than keep moving. We also found out that he seeks out deep pressure and so we do various deep pressure massages with him, wrapping him in a blanket and squeezing, pat therapy, and joint compressions to help stabilize him. Another thing we do is roll a softball sized rubber ball (like a dodgeball) and apply some pressure, he really enjoys this, while he lays down.

He has been in therapy for 4 months now and we have noticed a world of difference. He's still a mover, but he can sit and focus so much better than before. He's in a 2 year old program for preschool and so far he hasn't been kicked out. Usually he doesn't eat the snacks they offer and he has difficulty with drinking from a cup, but they stay patient with him, and so far so good. It's been 2 weeks for us and he actually ate his snack today so that was progress.

Another thing we introduced to Charlie is making sure we as the adult ended an activity and not Charlie. Meaning if he wants to be done with a game, art work, etc. we just ask him to do one more thing of what we are doing and then he can be done. For example, if they are painting maybe have him just paint one more thing on the page, and then he can be done. It has really minimized the tantrums for us, and Charlie really tries as long as he knows he has an out. That might help with your son listening to his teachers.
Oct 05, 2009
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		school complaints
by: spd mom

My son is 6 and we have been going through this since day care. His teacher this year just don't get him. She believes he is just stubborn, lazy, and defiant. I have him in weekly therapy, but his child psychologist says he knows very little about sensory disorders.They phased out his very needed OT and added Special Ed, so right back to the drawing board. I am not giving up though.
Oct 05, 2009
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starstarstarstarstar 		here's a tip for you
by: mel

Ask you O.T. About Brushing treatment. They are doing it at school and I'm doing the same at home it will redirect some of this. My daughter could not sit still and now she is so happy and relaxed. She sits through all her work and at group time and is even talking about school more. As far as the shoes she was doing this as well that will slow down when he gets use to wearing them. Sensory kids go through this w/ the change of summer to fall. in summer being barefoot. use tennis shoes in the summer a month before school starts to get him use to tennis shoes again.
Oct 05, 2009
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starstarstarstarstar 		Comment for SPD Son
by: Anonymous

My grandson is going on 6 and sounds exactly like your son. He also doesn't like shoes and socks on and would take them off. He also wouldn't join in for circle time. He is having problems in school. He was moved from regular kindergarten to special ed kindergarten. His behavior skills lack and he is sometimes aggressive. He seems to be regressing instead of progressing, but he also is being evaluated as "academically smart".

We are seeing an occupational therapist and behavioral therapist and we may be getting an autism diagnosis. We've also had issues with potty training. He is doing well with this issue at grandma's house and home but poorly at school. We've asked that he be toileted every two hours, but aren't sure the school is conforming to this. It is so heart breaking to see the struggles these children are having. I hope that some researchers can input all the data for these children and come up with a common thread to find out what is causing so many of our children to have an SPD. Keep the faith.

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