What is going on with my child???

Behavior Issues or sensory Challenges???

Some children may need a behavior approach, whereas other children may need a sensory approach. — Temple Grandin

Today I would like to share the sensory part of lucky’s life. This is Dr. Thejaswini vikas and lucky, back with a sensory roller coaster tale this week.

What is sensory???

In simple words sensory means relating to sensation or to sense.. It could be physical or emotional.

We all decide the quality of our life, or at least the quality of our day, based on our moods like Happy, Anger, Sadness…

Then, yaahh!!! how can I forget the most popular ones.. Frustration, Irritation, Humiliation, agitation, aggravation,

that ‘ation’ , this ‘ation’ all under one ‘nation’ ;) lol

Sensation — The way we feel decides the day we live..

What if the feeling is so overwhelming that we forget how to even live a life???

Can’t imagine right??

Many kids do face this unimaginable sensory roller coaster daily. Many kids have a profound sensory system.

They might be very sensitivities to:

• Sights
• Sounds
• Smells
• Tastes
• Touch
• Balance (vestibular)
• Awareness of body position and movement (proprioception)
• Awareness of internal body cues and sensations (interoception).

SO now kids have profound sensory issues,…

how do they show us??? or

How do kids with sensory issues react or respond??

• Increased movement, such as jumping, spinning or crashing into things.
• Increased stimming, such as hand flapping, making repetitive noises or rocking back and forth.
• Talking faster and louder, or not talking at all.
• Covering ears or eyes.
• Difficulty recognizing internal sensations like hunger, pain or the need to use the bathroom.
• Refusing or insisting on certain foods or clothing items.
• Frequent chewing on non-food items.
• Frequent touching of others or playing rough.
• Difficulty communicating or responding as the brain shifts resources to deal with sensory input (shutdown)Escalating,
• overwhelming emotions or need to escape a situation (meltdown).

What can we as a parent do about sensory issues???? or what did I do???

1. Understanding the sensory issues(sensory issues can be hypersensitive, hyposensitive, sometimes combination.)
2. Seeking professional help, especially a good occupational therapist who can understand the root cause and help the child.
3. Helping kids regulate themselves during meltdown or sensory overload crisis instead of making it a big issue or chaos.

What therapy can help with sensory issues?

• Occupational therapy: can help better process sensory input in everyday environments.
• Opt or feeding therapy : helps with aversions to tastes and food textures, as well as under- and over-sensitivities, helps with chewing and swallowing.
• Speech therapy: sensory-stimulating activities to improve speech, swallowing and related muscle movements.
• Cognitive behavioral therapy: help manage anxiety and regulate sensory behaviors.

Also sensory processing disorders in kids play a major role in sensory issues.

One of the most common sensory unit which is the root cause for many problems is the vestibular unit.

Poor visual processing, poor spatial awareness, poor balance, poor visual motor skills are examples of vestibular sensory red flags

Vestibular system???

How does that cause so many problems?? Can working on the vestibular system help??

The answer is yes!!!

I have started working on the vestibular system of lucky and have seen quite good improvement myself..

Here are the list of vestibular activities which I have tried with lucky

#1 swing gave wings !!!

Swing helped lucky neutralize the disruptions caused by the vestibular system. The smooth, back-and-forth motion was soothing and calming.

Initially Bhuvana mam suggested that I use a swing to regulate lucky’s humming behavior. Later on swing was used to work on other issues also as per my occupational therapist advice, with different positions to build his core strength and improve balance too.

In the video below, I have used different variety of swings with lucky like Wooden swing, net hammock type, saree swing, lycra swing etc

Also I have used different positions on swing like sitting, prone, kneeling, standing etc.

Warning ⚠️

Please consult professionals to help your child and do not try without professional guidance as the vestibular system is a very strong system and minute changes can make things worse..

#2 Twist Twist Twist to get the Gift!!!

We used a twister to regulate his vestibular system initially. It was done only for 10 rounds and was purely need-based.

#3 Roll over to get over!!!

Rolling on the floor for only 3 to 4 rounds to get that vestibular system kicking was one of the simple activity given by Mrs.Reena Singh.

#4 Down down, head upside down!!

Head Upside down is one of the fun loving Activity.. we were sure not to do more than 10 counts. Here is the video with few ideas

#5 Dance dance to Balance

We used a balance disc and gym ball to do many balance activities to help him kick his vestibular system on.

Here is the video of activities on gym ball and balance disc.

Video of Balance disc activities

Note:

These are just a few examples and ideas one can try.. occupational therapists can help provide individual iep plans based on a child’s needs.

Time for some Tips!!!

# Go to the park

Just take kids to the park, let them play all possible activities, go trekking into nature, let them climb trees. go swimming etc. Awesome advice if kids love them but please don’t force your kid.

it’s always easier said than done.

I know it. it was not at all easy for me and lucky. If your kid is anxious in the park then get park to home.

Get the park facilities to the home…

How??

• Set a small swing at home. make saree swing.
• Get a twister from amazon, we don’t need a ‘mary goo’ board from the park.. DO WE?? ;)
• Make a crash pad: put small pillows on carpet on the floor below the bed.. let kids jump from bed and crash on them..
• Get balance disc or board
• Get a trampoline or even a cheaper method, get a gym ball and help kids bounce on that.
• Work on balance activities that will force the vestibular system to get stabilized indirectly.

That’s all for today, meet you all soon next week in my next blog. I hope you all will Dance off the sensory issues just like lucky.. see you all soon.. bye!!!