Sensory processing problems are quite common in children with Autism. They are also frequently seen in children who have been in orphanages, but can often be resolved with proper intervention.
Adventure Boy spent the first two years of his life in a Russian orphanage. When we brought him home, he was tiny and malnourished and suffered from neglect. He showed sensory issues from the beginning, but we thought they would go away with time. Some problems, like his headbanging, went away, but others remained even after years at home.
There are many ways sensory problems can affect a child. AB tends to be a sensory seeker in some ways. He loves to crash into things, jump, and spin endlessly. Conversely, he also avoids certain input, like loud sounds. Every child is different. For more information on how sensory problems may present, click here:
Recently, we sought additional assistance from an amazing occupational therapist. She helped us put together what is known as a sensory diet. Basically, a sensory diet is a planned method of providing a child with needed input at regular intervals to help them regulate themselves. The routine is highly individualized to each child. In AB’s case, part of his diet is input through therapy brushing every two hours. Another activity is two minutes on an elliptical. Having a sensory diet has helped reduce his need to crash into things, to rub his legs for long periods of time and to hit.
A sensory diet should be put together with the help of a licensed OT and works best when the home and school work together. As you can imagine, Miss Lona is a rock star with supporting AB’s sensory diet at school. We are pleased with his overall progress!
For more information on sensory diets, click here: https://www.understood.org/…/sensory-diet-treatment-what-yo…
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