Monday, March 4, 2013
Saturday, March 2, 2013
Our Foray into Sensory Processing Disorder
Superman has started seeing an Occupational Therapist twice a week after initial testing revealed a Sensory Processing Disorder. There are kids who struggle with sensory avoiding, sensory seeking, and dyspraxia (motor skill problems) and Superman has difficulties in all three areas.
If you are anything like me, I had zero knowledge of SPD before Superman, so I'll list out some of the things we struggle with.
Sensory Avoiding:
* He likes to initiate contact and doesn't like to be touched without warning, especially a light touch.
*He has a difficult time in areas with loud noise.
Dyspraxia:
*He is clumsy and accident prone, especially when excited or in a hurry.
*He has trouble with fine motor skills. This particular challenge is probably also because of his background and lack of exposure to pencils, crayons, and the like.
Sensory Seeking:
*This is what the bulk of Superman's time at OT is spent addressing. Basically, Superman is under responsive to sensations and his nervous system does not always recognize the information that is already coming to the brain. As a result, he seeks to add sensory input to every experience.
*He likes to dump out a tub of toys and lay on them, or swim through them.
*He wants to slide like a snake, crawl on all fours, or walk like a bear as his go-to mode of transportation.
*He wants to be physically close to those he plays with. Basically, he wants to sit on friends and he expects them to continue playing with him.
*He rubs his face until raw.
*He loves to squeeze people and wants to hug others really tight.
*He wants to rub his feet all over everything. People, furniture, whatever is near.
Hopefully you can see why we sought out help. Playing with others or his brother was such a challenge as kids don't really like others to lay on them or stop and squeeze their arm. Surprise, surprise. Jon and I also felt like we were at our wit's end trying to talk Superman out of walking like a bear through Walmart. Or when Superman's idea of snuggling was to crawl all over you/roll all over you. Also, from a school stand-point kids with sensory seeking behaviors are often labeled ADD or ADHD because of constant fidgeting and touching.
Now for the good news, I feel like our OT and our experiences so far with therapy have been a God-send. We've been going for about a month now, and at first I was hesitant to blog about our experiences because it almost seemed to good to be true. Now I'm to the point where I have to write it down before I forget what our "before" days were like.
Basically the idea behind addressing SPD is being proactive, rather than reactive. Superman has seen the most improvement after our OT taught us about Deep Pressure Proprioceptive Technique (DPPT). You should google this if you've never heard about it, because frankly it's kinda of weird. Even weirder that it works. We brush Superman with a surgical brush and then compress his joints. This takes about 2 minutes and we try to do it several times during a typical day. In theory, this gives his brain and body the sensory input he craves so he doesn't have to seek it out in inappropriate ways.
We have immediately seen an improvement after doing DDPT at home. We expected to see him spending less time on his belly swimming through our house or his toys, and that has been true. It has also seemed to help him in very unexpected ways. He has been friendlier, more compliant. He has had an easier time making eye contact and responding when someone greets him. Our home atmosphere has been a million times more peaceful as Bear actually seeks to play with Superman now, rather than cowering when Superman comes near. When you boil it all down, Superman seems a lot happier and not so grumpy. I guess that makes sense. If your body doesn't feel good, you don't feel good.
I'll leave you with some resources if you want to know more. Everyone with SPD experience has recommended the same book to me: The Out of Sync Child and the companion activity book: The Out of Sync Child has Fun. I haven't read it yet, but it's next on my book list.
If you are anything like me, I had zero knowledge of SPD before Superman, so I'll list out some of the things we struggle with.
Sensory Avoiding:
* He likes to initiate contact and doesn't like to be touched without warning, especially a light touch.
*He has a difficult time in areas with loud noise.
Dyspraxia:
*He is clumsy and accident prone, especially when excited or in a hurry.
*He has trouble with fine motor skills. This particular challenge is probably also because of his background and lack of exposure to pencils, crayons, and the like.
Sensory Seeking:
*This is what the bulk of Superman's time at OT is spent addressing. Basically, Superman is under responsive to sensations and his nervous system does not always recognize the information that is already coming to the brain. As a result, he seeks to add sensory input to every experience.
*He likes to dump out a tub of toys and lay on them, or swim through them.
*He wants to slide like a snake, crawl on all fours, or walk like a bear as his go-to mode of transportation.
*He wants to be physically close to those he plays with. Basically, he wants to sit on friends and he expects them to continue playing with him.
*He rubs his face until raw.
*He loves to squeeze people and wants to hug others really tight.
*He wants to rub his feet all over everything. People, furniture, whatever is near.
Hopefully you can see why we sought out help. Playing with others or his brother was such a challenge as kids don't really like others to lay on them or stop and squeeze their arm. Surprise, surprise. Jon and I also felt like we were at our wit's end trying to talk Superman out of walking like a bear through Walmart. Or when Superman's idea of snuggling was to crawl all over you/roll all over you. Also, from a school stand-point kids with sensory seeking behaviors are often labeled ADD or ADHD because of constant fidgeting and touching.
Now for the good news, I feel like our OT and our experiences so far with therapy have been a God-send. We've been going for about a month now, and at first I was hesitant to blog about our experiences because it almost seemed to good to be true. Now I'm to the point where I have to write it down before I forget what our "before" days were like.
Basically the idea behind addressing SPD is being proactive, rather than reactive. Superman has seen the most improvement after our OT taught us about Deep Pressure Proprioceptive Technique (DPPT). You should google this if you've never heard about it, because frankly it's kinda of weird. Even weirder that it works. We brush Superman with a surgical brush and then compress his joints. This takes about 2 minutes and we try to do it several times during a typical day. In theory, this gives his brain and body the sensory input he craves so he doesn't have to seek it out in inappropriate ways.
We have immediately seen an improvement after doing DDPT at home. We expected to see him spending less time on his belly swimming through our house or his toys, and that has been true. It has also seemed to help him in very unexpected ways. He has been friendlier, more compliant. He has had an easier time making eye contact and responding when someone greets him. Our home atmosphere has been a million times more peaceful as Bear actually seeks to play with Superman now, rather than cowering when Superman comes near. When you boil it all down, Superman seems a lot happier and not so grumpy. I guess that makes sense. If your body doesn't feel good, you don't feel good.
I'll leave you with some resources if you want to know more. Everyone with SPD experience has recommended the same book to me: The Out of Sync Child and the companion activity book: The Out of Sync Child has Fun. I haven't read it yet, but it's next on my book list.
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Monday, February 25, 2013
The Day that Had it All!
Snow Day!!!
We had a toasty fire,
a couple of angels,
a good looking snowman,
hills to overcome,
and smiles all around!
Back inside to warm up!
Then our good buddy came over for the ultimate snow cones!
And this little guy is officially 2 1/2 years old!!
The picture above has the beginning of his bashful face where he closes his eyes half-way and looks away. He must be growing up, already feeling shy! Love you so, Bear!
Saturday, February 23, 2013
Friday, February 22, 2013
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Ages 4, 3, 2, & 1 = Fun, fun
Weekend highlights:
- Our good buds from CO came to see us and the TX sunshine! The good weather was perfectly timed, as it was only in the 40's today.
- Everyone slept a million times better than I thought they would! I don't even think anyone reached for the Melatonin. Superman and Jube shared a room which was comical because Superman needs a night light and Jube needs a pitch black room. Every night had a predictable pattern. Tuck in...check. Giggles, yelling, and general playing....check. Parents sticking their heads in to say it was time to quite down... check. Less noise... check. Sudden uproar with one boy in near tears because the night light got unplugged and another saying, It's too bwight. It's too bwight to sleep.... check.
- We had fun going to at all our favorite spots. The mall playground, the Science Spectrum, and the park. When we were out and about Jube kept asking if he could go back to S's house. I couldn't tell if he didn't like our outings, or more likely he was afraid his trip was over and he would be driving home before playing with all of our toys. :)
- Sunday morning was perfect. Everyone slept in a tiny bit (and if memory serves Lu all night...) We had breakfast at Krispie Kreme and then went to see our bud Sam the fireman. Those boys circled that truck like hungry sharks.
- We got to celebrate a valentine's day birthday. I rooted around in the cabinet to find a big #2 candle and put nine singles on the cake. When no one was paying attention, Bear took two big bites out of the candle. I'm guessing he thought it was candy or something edible, but it cracked me up to see not one, but two perfect teeth prints on that thing. It's times like these that I would love to know the thought processes of my children. "Yummm! That looks good! Chomp. yummm...waaait-a-minute.... that tasted disgusting. Maybe I'll try another bite on the bottom. Chomp. Nope, still gross." Did it cross his mind to try a third bite of wax? Alas, I'll never know.
- Joe and Pearl did some shopping while we took Jube to play with us at the mall playground. J & P (or mostly just the J) abhor shopping so they bought a bunch of stuff without trying anything on, so Pearl and I (the other J & P) ended up taking a bunch of stuff back. Why does this merit a bullet on the highlight list, you ask? Because we had a little situation when we got to the store for a return and realized J had ripped off all the tags on his jeans. A quick phone call revealed he was smart and stuck the tags in the jeans' pockets. After a quick search our friendly Kohl's employee found no tags but 7 bucks in crumpled up cash. This is still something of a mystery to me. When did he have time to wear the jeans? And if he wore them to the park, why did he need 7 bucks? We laughed and they returned them, although clearly worn. (or not?)
- We got a babysitter and went out! This should have been bullet point number one, if I would have been thinking. Our fabulous Farbie watched the four boys and we went out for dinner. It was soooo lovely.
Here's some pics!
1 Corinthians 1:27
My kids are sweet. And they humble me. And they care about how many snaps are fastened on their hoods.
We are about to walk into Bible Study this chilly morning when we have a melt down. The melt down occurs because Superman realizes that both hood snaps aren't fastened. We are feet from the door to go inside, which is where we will take off the coat and hood.
Remember in the 90's when people would say or wear WWJD? I'm guessing not this.
(You must read the following in an exasperated voice with not one drop of kindness.) "Hey, there are good things to cry about and bad things to cry about and your hood is a bad thing to cry about. You can cry when you get hurt or when you are sad, or lonely, not when your hood only has one snap."
I'm cringing as I type this. Not because of the content. I do actually think that is good. One snap versus two snaps on your hood should not merit tears. I am cringing as I remember the tone of voice I used to convey this message. And of course when I use this tone it only prompts more tears.
And now for the gut-wrenching, so incredibly sweet, and humbling part. My child with one out of two snaps fastened sits down, closes his eyes, and manages to get out a prayer while continuing to cry. "Dear God, please help me not cry about the bad stuffs."
I wanted to hide. I wanted a do-over. I looked around to ensure no witnesses. I sat down and held that boy in my arms and prayed with him.
Then the Holy Spirit had a major conversation with me about patience, controlling my temper, and the importance of kind words. Then I had a major conversation with the Holy Spirit about my gratitude concerning the work he is doing in my four-year-old's heart that he would turn to God in a moment of need.
Later I apologized. He said, "that's ok". Then we put on our coats to leave and he reminded me (kindly, I might add) that he likes both snaps to be fastened.
We are about to walk into Bible Study this chilly morning when we have a melt down. The melt down occurs because Superman realizes that both hood snaps aren't fastened. We are feet from the door to go inside, which is where we will take off the coat and hood.
Remember in the 90's when people would say or wear WWJD? I'm guessing not this.
(You must read the following in an exasperated voice with not one drop of kindness.) "Hey, there are good things to cry about and bad things to cry about and your hood is a bad thing to cry about. You can cry when you get hurt or when you are sad, or lonely, not when your hood only has one snap."
I'm cringing as I type this. Not because of the content. I do actually think that is good. One snap versus two snaps on your hood should not merit tears. I am cringing as I remember the tone of voice I used to convey this message. And of course when I use this tone it only prompts more tears.
And now for the gut-wrenching, so incredibly sweet, and humbling part. My child with one out of two snaps fastened sits down, closes his eyes, and manages to get out a prayer while continuing to cry. "Dear God, please help me not cry about the bad stuffs."
I wanted to hide. I wanted a do-over. I looked around to ensure no witnesses. I sat down and held that boy in my arms and prayed with him.
Then the Holy Spirit had a major conversation with me about patience, controlling my temper, and the importance of kind words. Then I had a major conversation with the Holy Spirit about my gratitude concerning the work he is doing in my four-year-old's heart that he would turn to God in a moment of need.
Later I apologized. He said, "that's ok". Then we put on our coats to leave and he reminded me (kindly, I might add) that he likes both snaps to be fastened.
Thursday, February 14, 2013
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
S-isms
Superman's got a game show mode. He carries around a microphone and asks riddles or has you ask him questions, because he knows all the answers. Of course.
S: "l..l..l Starts with a l"
Me: "lemon?"
"no, it's flatter"
"a lid?"
"nope. It's bumpy and smooth."
"lettuce?"
"Yep!"
Sometimes he has real comical answers to my questions.
Me: "Why do fish live in water?"
S: "Because they don't have feet."
I also asked him what adoption meant and he gave a super lengthy answer that included talk of a rhino. I asked him again the next day and he said, "When you are in Ethiopia and you get thirsty and then you lay in your crib." So clearly we get adoption.
Here's a few other classics from the last few days...
Superman praying before lunch on a rainy day: "God, thanks for watering the grass..."
And my favorite after a kiss from Jon: "You kissin your bruther??!?"
S: "l..l..l Starts with a l"
Me: "lemon?"
"no, it's flatter"
"a lid?"
"nope. It's bumpy and smooth."
"lettuce?"
"Yep!"
Sometimes he has real comical answers to my questions.
Me: "Why do fish live in water?"
S: "Because they don't have feet."
I also asked him what adoption meant and he gave a super lengthy answer that included talk of a rhino. I asked him again the next day and he said, "When you are in Ethiopia and you get thirsty and then you lay in your crib." So clearly we get adoption.
Here's a few other classics from the last few days...
Superman praying before lunch on a rainy day: "God, thanks for watering the grass..."
And my favorite after a kiss from Jon: "You kissin your bruther??!?"
Monday, February 11, 2013
Sunday, February 10, 2013
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