Sensory Update

After a lot of back and forth, we decided to try a weighted blanket for Jacob as our first "big" investment. The thinking was, if he starts sleeping better it make lots of other things better, too! His therapist suggested we try a 10 pound blanket. And after lots of research, I bought one from eBay (affordable therapy solutions) that is weighted with poly fill pellets.

Jacob knew that we had ordered a blanket, but I didn't tell him anything else about it. I think he was expecting it to be very clinical - like the one at therapy. He was excited about it coming, but when he opened it and saw it he could hardly contain his excitement! I did snap a picture of his face as he opened the box, but my camera shut down on me and didn't save it. He really was more excited than he looks.

Aside from having a cool camouflage design, it is also very soft. And it is machine

washable. It's small enough that he can bring it down to the couch for school time but big enough that it will just about cover his body when he lays down.

I hate Sensory Disorders!!!

I just have to say that well therapy seems to be going well, and I am oh so thankful to finally have a diagnoses for my oldest and most troubling son, I HATE SENSORY INTEGRATION DISORDER! The last week or two has been rough. And with the weather turning colder, my options for appropriate therapeutic activities are dwindling. I have found that things like a long walk with Jacob pushing a stroller work well to calm him, but if it is cold Mr. Sensory will be flipping out the entire walk because it is cold outside.

Nothing calms him down and gets him focused like some intense swinging. You should see the kid when walks out of therapy. I wish I could bottle it and keep that boy all week long. We don't have a swing set and aren't sure that getting one would help... would he go out to swing in the cold? And a normal swing is no good. He likes to spin and twist (think tire swing). We could maybe mount a swing to the ceiling, but then he would likely destroy some walls or something because he is such a maniac.

I did fill an old pillow sized stuffed Bob the Builder with marbles for weight. He has been sleeping with that on top of him the last few nights, and he seems better rested in the morning (and he is sleeping later). At first Jacob was very resistant to the idea of a weighted blanket, but I figured out that the one at therapy is just too heavy for him (it's 20 pounds) and he is interested in a lighter one.

One other really great thing that I have found is that he loves to scrub walls and appliances. Any kind of scrubbing or cleaning is good proprioceptive input for him. One of the books I read specifically mentioned a spray bottle, and Jacob will use a half bottle of Windex in a day, but he happily goes around and cleans (sort of) off all the dirt that he put all over my walls. And after a wall or two, he is more calm but it isn't as lasting as some of the other activities. I think I will teach him to scrub the bathroom floor with a scrub brush next...

Sensory Evaluation

A few weeks ago I took Jacob to ENABLE for a sensory evaluation. Let me explain - I have long suspected that he has "sensory issues", but have never been able to figure out what that means or what to do about it. But I came across some discussion on The Well Trained Mind boards about Sensory Input Disorder or SDI that exactly described Jacob. When I asked, several moms told me to go read The Out of Sync Child.

After reading the book, I didn't have any doubt that Jacob has some sensory seeking issues that need help. I was excited to find out that our insurance would cover an evaluation and some therapy through ENABLE. I feel relieved that we are finally getting a sensible answer to the "What is wrong with him?" question, but immensely frustrated that it has taken so many years to get the answer (he is 9 now).

Here are some things of interest from the evaluation:

Muscle Tone: Low
Strength: Large muscles, such as core and limbs are strong, but small muscles such as intrinsic hand muscles seem to be poor.
Reflex: The Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex (TLR) was tested, and Jacob appears to have positive TLR reflex. The rest were not formally assessed.

Jacob would benefit from having scheduled 5 minute proprioceptive experiences every 2 hours in order to increase body awareness, motor planning and to learn when the appropriate time is to apply these in his daily routine.
He tended to perform balance activities with awkwardness and would fall often. Jacob would usually leap, jump or tumble to enter and exit the ball bath and other equipment.
Jacobs inability to process verbal commands from others at times may be part related to periods of over-stimulation... Overstimulation typically looks like a child "on a sugar high" who can't pay attention or follow directions, extremely verbal, disorganized physically/mentally, and is going extremely fast during or between activities. When he is at a "just right" arousal level, it is not difficult for Jacob to follow directions as demonstrated at times during the evaluation.
PERCEPTUAL PROCESSING: MOTOR
Balance and coordination: Fair

Praxis: Good with gross motor, Fair with fine motor

Fine Motor Coordination/Dexterity: Fair

Visual Motor Integration: Poor

The summary is followed by recommendations that include weekly therapy, incorporating a sensory diet routine and vestibular activities, and a long list of expensive stuff we can/should buy. The one thing I would love to spring for is the swing that requires 10' ceilings, and ours are only 8'. He loved that swing, and the therapist said it makes sense with his vision problems that he would love the darkness of the cocoon.

Anyway, I am happy to have some answers. Jacob is excited about going to therapy. He loved the sensory room. I suppose it will start soon after we get back from vacation.