Advice about my 3 year old

[cvala1015]

Hello everyone. I'm new to the forum and could really use some support and advice from other moms. I have a 3.5 year old son that I am concerned about. He has a lot of weird things that he does and they could all be connected or they could all just be separate random things. I'm worried about the possibility of him having sensory integration disorder. Here's what he does that concerns me: walks on tip toes, covers his ears a lot, freaks out if I ask him to sit on the potty (he's still in diapers), won't let me wipe his penis when I change his dirty diapers (he literally shakes because he's scared I'm gonna touch it), screams the entire time during a hair cut, constantly jumps off of furniture, hates getting his hair washed in the bath, constantly plays with other peoples hair, over-reacts to situations such as his brother brushing by him (he freaks out and cries and says he hit him), can get very aggressive, freaks out about sleeping in his own bed (probably unrelated), and cannot seem to control himself or calm himself down. On the plus side, he is very smart, talks fine, has no language or delay problems, and otherwise seems fine. I'm not concerned about autism or anything like that. Possibly ADHD but it's still too early for that really. Any advice from other moms would be greatly appreciative. I may just be over-reacting myself! Thanks!

[LisaGreene]

Sounds like you may need to talk to a professional. Some of that does sound like maybe some sensory issues.

[jamiehighland]

I agree with Lisa. Have you talked to a professional before about these issues, or have you just researched things on your own?

[cvala1015]

I've just been doing my own research. I've spoken to his doctor about them, but only one at a time and she dismisses them. Maybe if she heard everything all together she may suggest he go to a specialist. I wouldn't even know where to go, a neuro, behavoiralist, etc? I wouldn't think too much of it if these things happened at different time periods, but they are all happening at the same time and it just seems to be getting worse. Also, most of it has been going on for well over a year now.

[Newmom!]

Consider reading "The Out of Sync Child" and it's companion "Fun with the Out of Sync child" It will help you to narrow down the type of sensitivities your child is having into the basic Sensory Integration categoires, and give you a lot of strategies to help your child meet his sensory needs in positive ways.

It is very normal for people to have sensitivities to some things. It may or may not indicate other developmental concerns. I worked with a child in my preschool who that was the only concern. He went to kindergarten with what is known as a 504 plan. Accomdations that the teacher must let him do to help him be successful in school - but it is not special education. Basically it allowed him to leave the class 3 times a day to "swing" and a few other sensory strategies were included that were not distruptive to the class nor to his learning but helped him a lot.

Also, consider going to another pediatrician who knows a little more about sensory integration. However, unless he has other developmental delays, I am not sure if there are any agencies that would work with him. All the doctor can do is help you narrow down the strategies that may be successful for him. Persue the doctor, just in case there is something that can be done, but also read the book and see if any of the strategies are successful. Once your son learns what works well for him, he will start to seek it on his own in more socially appropriate ways. It has been a long time since I have read the book, but it may have suggestions on how to approach the doctor - I know it has school based suggestions for aproaching the teacher.