United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Connie
I think the sensory issues that OBPI children have is different.
It's great that you are aware of it and will find some ways of helping him cope past it.
It can be so distracting in a school situation.
I wish someone understood when I was a child.
Some years in school I was so busy trying to sit still it made school a horrible place for me to be.

Good Luck and I am sure you will take care of this and then Andrew can focus on education and shine.

Kath robpi/adult

Here are some suggestions that I've learned over the years regarding sensory integrations (no, Amber doesn't appear to suffer from this, but my son definitely shows tendencies toward this)...

---we let him stand up to do homework...we've learned it is not a big deal...he does his homework better and the battle is not waged

---we let him stand up and watch TV if he wants as long as he is out of the way of everyone else being able to see the TV...once again no battle is waged and what is the big deal...TV is his down time so let him enjoy it

---when he is having trouble sitting still in school (and mind you he also has ADHD), he sometimes is craving some more sensory input, so we've taught him to put his hands on the seat of his chair and pull down so his butt is pushed into the seat of the chair...this gives him more sensory input

---other ways of doing the same are squeezing a ball, sitting on a bumpy seat cushion, wearing a weighted vest if it is a big issue and the child needs input on a continuous basis

---cut the tags off clothing or buy clothing that doesn't have tags (like Hanes t-shirts)...certain socks have to be worn for some children as well because they don't like the feel of certain ones

---for the more severe cases, there are different brushes that can be used (my friend uses them on her autistic son) on the body

---avoiding certain foods because kids don't like the texture or sensations (Casey won't eat the skin on a grilled hotdog because of this but will peel the skin off and eat the inside of a hotdog, he won't eat grapes but loves the flavor of grape things)...we as parents may just assume a child doesn't like the taste of a food, but it may instead be the texture of a food

---it's all about adjustment and accommodation...standing vs. sitting, tags vs. no tags, grilling a hotdog vs. boiling it for dinner, sitting in the front of the classroom vs. the back of the classroom...all an accommodation

Just thought I'd give my two cents.

Tanya in NY
Amber and Casey's Mom

Tanya
What great suggestions!

It's really best to save your battles for the big things.
All of the sensory issues are not real big unless someone makes them and issue.

It's hard to be a kids with some of these issues because you know your the only one bothered by some of these things.
Helping to avoid confrontations over this quirks really helps a child find their own comfortable space.
Most people don't know I have any sensory issues and I can just maneuver myself past certain things.
Kath robpi/adult

Tanya,
A Great list of accomodations for SI! Casey and Amber are Blessed with smart and understanding parents. Please give everyone a big HUG for me.

Connie, please keep us updated on this process with your son.

Carolyn J


Message was edited by: Carolyn J

Thanks again everyone for your help and experiences.

We are starting the process of determining what will best help Andrew to be successful. It's so hard when things are not cut and dry. But it helps to have as much information as possible and I am so thankful for the support of everyone here.

I'll let you know what we determine.

Thanks,

Connie

I am fidgety a bit also. I honestly think it is because we are off centered and I can never seem to get comfortable. The older I get the worse I swear it is. I can't sit for a long time because of the intense shoulder and neck pain. When I get home sometimes all I want to do is just lay down to ease the neck and shoulder pain. I have swore all my life I had ADD also. But, the more I have thought about it it's because no position is comfortable for me to be sitting in or standing in for long periods of time.
Just my opinion.