Sensory Processing Issues on the Spectrum

[uniquetadpole]

Many individuals with Autism and Asperger's Syndrome have Sensory issues...called Sensory Integration Disorder or Sensory Processing Disorder.

Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) is a complex disorder of the brain. People with SPD misinterpret everyday sensory information, such as touch, sound, and movement. This can lead to behavioral problems, difficulties with coordination, and many other issues.

http://www.sinetwork.org/​

by Carol Stock Kranowitz, M.A., ​

Author of The Out of Sync Child ​

http://www.sinetwork.org/​

​

Nature's educational plan is for young children to "do," by touching and being touched, and by moving and being moved. Sensations of touch and movement come through seven sensory systems, but we think of three basic systems when we talk about Sensory Processing Disorder:

• The tactile system

• provides two kinds of information: 1) The protective sense warns us to defend ourselves from potentially dangerous touch sensations. 2) The discriminative sense tells us where we are being touched, and about the shape, size, and texture of objects that we touch or that touch us. We receive tactile sensations through receptors in our skin.

• The vestibular system

• gives us information about where our heads are in relation to solid ground; tells us about movement, balance, and our ability to resist gravity; and organizes our bodies and brains for effective, everyday functioning. We receive vestibular sensations in the inner ear.

• The proprioceptive system

• tells us, without the use of vision, the position of our body parts and how our bodies are moving through space. This system is very important for motor planning — the ability to conceive of and carry out a sequence of complex movements. We receive proprioceptive sensations through our muscles, joints, and ligaments.

I created this thread to try to address and help others in this aspect of the spectrum to find solutions and ask questions.

I have lived my entire life finding my own coping mechanisms...no one would acknowledge my difficulties including myself. I have found many different solutions over the years that I can offer help with...

I encourage you parents and fellow Aspies to ask as many questions as possible and share stories of stuff that worked...the earlier the intervention the more helpful it will be.


hugs,
Tad

 

[aspie2x]

Brushing techniques combined wiith joint compression ( ask your OT for advice ) has worked with my son. The problem is it needs to be regular 3-4 times a day. This is where it fails. However during holidays and unwell days it has been a really useful calming technique.

 

[uniquetadpole]

Probably the best information on the market today....that explains these concepts in terms most people understand and gives one understanding and ideas to help your child cope and learn is the book above The Out of Sync Child by Carol Stock Kranowitz, M.A.



You can find more info here on this book:



http://www.out-of-sync-child.com/







For me after reading this book...I began to really understand myself and some of the quirky behaviours I have experienced in myself. Some of my odd behaviors include:

• I used to do forward rolls through the house instead of walking when I went from one room to the next, Until I learned to do cartwheels. I told mom I did it because it tickled my tummy and walking was too boring. I think I did this until I was about 10 or so.
• I can’t stand loud sounds…if a balloon pops, a gun goes off, a car backfires, I my whole body feels like electricity just went through it and I get tears in my eyes. If the radio or TV is too loud I cover my ears and have to leave the room, and too loud usually is normally loud for everyone else. I am okay and even enjoy some music but don’t like most of it. I really hate the 4th of July. But I love to “see” the fireworks, I just can’t stand being near them. I rarely listen to music.
• I am very sensitive to sunlight, have to wear sunglasses outside most of the time or I end up with headaches.
• If someone reaches out to touch my face, or even comes close to my face, I pull away without realizing it, because I can’t stand anything near my face unless I put it there, or I know it is coming.
• When playing sports if anyone got hurt it was me…I would dive after balls, slide into a base without any fear of danger…In fact I kinda thrived on it. I was basically considered wreckless. I got a concussion on more than one occasion from diving after the ball (once in volleyball, and once as a soccer goalie). I scare people when I play, but I like it. I literally throw my body into the game. I enjoy the rough house type of play. I was and still am an extreme “tomboy”.
• I walked before I crawled…and I climbed on everything.
• When I was younger I remember rolling back and forth in bed very fast almost violently trying to get to sleep (since I wasn’t allowed to get out of bed) when I had trouble sleeping, and after a while it would usually work.
• I get fussed at by Dad to take my jacket off when I came inside.
• I wear long sleeve shirts and jeans in the middle of summer.
• I have to have a blanket on me even in the summer time.
• I used to get in trouble at camp for “hanging” all over the counselor.
• I have always had a neverending craving to be held. Not an emotional one…but a physical one. I can tell the difference. I have experienced both (at the same time and separate). In fact I have craved this so much so that it has driven me from relationship to relationship (trying in part to fix this craving). IMO this has been a large part why I remained in abusive situations and repeatedly found myself in them…the craving was so great that I put up with the abuse to try to get this need met.

The thing to realize is that these were all coping mechanisms. Most of them were positive ones I found for myself. The major trouble comes in for people with these difficulties is when they can’t or haven’t found the things that work for them. At the age of 34 when I was diagnosed there were still a few things that I have difficulty coping with. So I sought out an Occupational Therapist…one that specializes in sensory integration (or modulation). Now you think finding the right specialist for you child can be tough…well imagine have difficulty that is addressed for children but rarely looked at in adults. But I finally found one. After getting a sensory profile done with her…she suggested a few things for me to try. The one that seems to work the best for me was a weighted blanket. After three nights of sleeping with it…I, for the first time in my life, walked around without that craving…now I don’t sleep with it every night and rarely all night long now…but I get it out and use it when I feel the need. This will not be the answer for everyone…but your OT will be able to recommend the things that could help…and through trial and error you might just find a few blessings for you and your child.



Please feel free to ask me any questions you may have...I feel that one of my callings with God is to help others understand this hidden issue and be a voice to those who can't speak for themselves...


hugs,
Tad

 

[uniquetadpole]

Bringing this info back to the front

 

[uniquetadpole]

Bringing this info back to the front

again

 

[uniquetadpole]

Bringing this back to the front for newcomers

 

[drifter5]

Probably the best information on the market today....that explains these concepts in terms most people understand and gives one understanding and ideas to help your child cope and learn is the book above The Out of Sync Child by Carol Stock Kranowitz, M.A.



You can find more info here on this book:



http://www.out-of-sync-child.com/







For me after reading this book...I began to really understand myself and some of the quirky behaviours I have experienced in myself. Some of my odd behaviors include:

• I used to do forward rolls through the house instead of walking when I went from one room to the next, Until I learned to do cartwheels. I told mom I did it because it tickled my tummy and walking was too boring. I think I did this until I was about 10 or so.
• I can’t stand loud sounds…if a balloon pops, a gun goes off, a car backfires, I my whole body feels like electricity just went through it and I get tears in my eyes. If the radio or TV is too loud I cover my ears and have to leave the room, and too loud usually is normally loud for everyone else. I am okay and even enjoy some music but don’t like most of it. I really hate the 4th of July. But I love to “see” the fireworks, I just can’t stand being near them. I rarely listen to music.
• I am very sensitive to sunlight, have to wear sunglasses outside most of the time or I end up with headaches.
• If someone reaches out to touch my face, or even comes close to my face, I pull away without realizing it, because I can’t stand anything near my face unless I put it there, or I know it is coming.
• When playing sports if anyone got hurt it was me…I would dive after balls, slide into a base without any fear of danger…In fact I kinda thrived on it. I was basically considered wreckless. I got a concussion on more than one occasion from diving after the ball (once in volleyball, and once as a soccer goalie). I scare people when I play, but I like it. I literally throw my body into the game. I enjoy the rough house type of play. I was and still am an extreme “tomboy”.
• I walked before I crawled…and I climbed on everything.
• When I was younger I remember rolling back and forth in bed very fast almost violently trying to get to sleep (since I wasn’t allowed to get out of bed) when I had trouble sleeping, and after a while it would usually work.
• I get fussed at by Dad to take my jacket off when I came inside.
• I wear long sleeve shirts and jeans in the middle of summer.
• I have to have a blanket on me even in the summer time.
• I used to get in trouble at camp for “hanging” all over the counselor.
• I have always had a neverending craving to be held. Not an emotional one…but a physical one. I can tell the difference. I have experienced both (at the same time and separate). In fact I have craved this so much so that it has driven me from relationship to relationship (trying in part to fix this craving). IMO this has been a large part why I remained in abusive situations and repeatedly found myself in them…the craving was so great that I put up with the abuse to try to get this need met.

The thing to realize is that these were all coping mechanisms. Most of them were positive ones I found for myself. The major trouble comes in for people with these difficulties is when they can’t or haven’t found the things that work for them. At the age of 34 when I was diagnosed there were still a few things that I have difficulty coping with. So I sought out an Occupational Therapist…one that specializes in sensory integration (or modulation). Now you think finding the right specialist for you child can be tough…well imagine have difficulty that is addressed for children but rarely looked at in adults. But I finally found one. After getting a sensory profile done with her…she suggested a few things for me to try. The one that seems to work the best for me was a weighted blanket. After three nights of sleeping with it…I, for the first time in my life, walked around without that craving…now I don’t sleep with it every night and rarely all night long now…but I get it out and use it when I feel the need. This will not be the answer for everyone…but your OT will be able to recommend the things that could help…and through trial and error you might just find a few blessings for you and your child.



Please feel free to ask me any questions you may have...I feel that one of my callings with God is to help others understand this hidden issue and be a voice to those who can't speak for themselves...


hugs,
Tad

Thank you so much for your care for others with autism. I struggle alot with sensory issues, and would really like help in coping better with them. I get meltdowns and shutdowns regularly due to sensory hypersensitivity. I feel anxious most of the time- could this be connected in any way to my sensory difficulties do you think ?

 

[uniquetadpole]

Thank you so much for your care for others with autism. I struggle alot with sensory issues, and would really like help in coping better with them. I get meltdowns and shutdowns regularly due to sensory hypersensitivity. I feel anxious most of the time- could this be connected in any way to my sensory difficulties do you think ?

Yes I think it could... alot of my anxiety stuff is related to my sensory issues. However it can also be trauma related...and trauma can be from a family of origin that gave mixed messages due to an undiagnosis and not knowing about the non-verbal issues aspies have. I think that is where a large part of my mis-communication and my anxiety come from but I am still in search of those answers. I have alot of trauma to get through including...but not limited to not being diagnosed for 34 years. I am still in search of the underlying truths in this area of which if from what trauma... regardless... it can be overcome with alot of hard work even if it is due to sensory issues... new coping skills can be learned over time.

 

[vespasia]

I am going to add this.
It is important to understand that it is possible to be affected in any of the five sensory areas.
An indvidual may be hypersensitive and overwelmed by sensory input in one sense and yet hyposenstive and understimulated in another.
Both hyper and hypo can led to some pretty strange behaviours that scare the heck out of those who have not encountered this before and hyposensitivity does seem to produce some of the most challenging behaviours.


Would others be intressted in a dialogue in regards to consideration in how to balance the issues of hypo and hyper sensitivity?

 

[RedTulipMom]

vespasia..
i would be HIGHLY interested in talking further about hypo and hyper sensitivity. I have a 2 yrs 7 mos old son with sensory issues..and sometimes am confused as to whether he is under or over stimulated..and i think it is different for different things...

tad..thanks so much for so much valuable info

 

[vespasia]

RedTulipMoon,

Do you feel able to share any of the behaviours that are puzzling you?

I ask because that would help me to frame a response to you.

 

[uniquetadpole]

yes...I would also... oh and BTW there are actually 7 senses...two of which are not usually taught... proprioceptive and the vestibular. See my info above.

I am both Tactile Hypersensitive and Tactile Hyposensitive.

 

[gracechick]

I've had treatment for Panic Disorder, some ADD & Social Anxiety. Socially it's very difficult for me, bcause I become anxious for no reason & eye contact is torture to me. I've tried to force myself or look at the person's nose ect, but can't find anything that works. Poor eyecontact is not an easy thing to struggle with...

For years I've questioned how much these symptoms over lap with the autistic spectrum. Im coming to believe more & more I may benefit from Sensory therapy.

I did read that inner ear infections as a child my cause dysfunction in the sensory area. I had a lot of ear infections as a kid & believe this is all connected.

Tad thanks so much for being open & honest & posting the research you've done. It's a real blessing to know Im not alone...well unless you count slightly agoraphobic now do to being misunderstood & some situations beyond my control.

 

[MicheleB]

I am new here. I believe my oldest son, age 9, is somewhere on the autisum spectrum (currently in the process of many evaluations).

But I see myself in a lot of the sensory issues, and he struggles with them as well.

For me, it's noise (that's apparently not "noisy" to anyone else), bright lights, being outside in the open space, stores (too much stimuli), and large gatherings (too much going on for me to process).

For ds, it's clothing: typically wears shorts and t-shirts all winter here (PA); can't stand socks; shoes have to be "just so"; food: nothing too chunky, too spicy, too smelly, etc; and he seems hyposensitive in feeling temperature. He can hold frozen food on his back and never flinch; LOVES super-hot showers, etc.

I'm really interested in following this thread. I've just kind of dealt with his issues by being flexible. Not forcing him to eat foods he can't handle; I homeschool, so he can dress as he likes, etc. For me, I've only realized in the past year that this is what's going on with myself. I wear earplugs some now at home. The being out and about and with large groups, not sure what to do about that.

I just checked out the Out of Sync Child for the second time. Very informative book!

 

[gracechick]

I too am still finding symptoms as I read more & more. I've always liked to sleep wrapped up in blankets & the room needs to be as dark as possible.

I am afraid of heights & feel unbalanced so to speak when on an overlook or something as simple as climbing a ladder. I never played sports in school, bcause my motor skills were so poor. I hated bowling with my friends bcause I could not bowl anything better then a gutter ball

My hearing is fairly acute & can hear conversations it seems across a room whether I wish to or not. Sometimes it feels like I can hear through walls or doors. Im very sensitive to sound & will jump when approached from behind or hearing a loud noise.

If anyone has any suggestions or help for me please do post.

Thanks.

 

[bipolarbear]

Tad,

Thank you for this thread! One of my sons has Aspergers, adn as a toddler, wow, it was rough a lot! When he was 18 months old was when I found out he had no concept of danger... (Thankfully he doese now! ) It was very scary. I and my Beloved are fortuante adn blessed that our son is very high functioning. He is progressign very well, adn has taken to OT also very well. he is in 1st grade this year, adn went from the IU classroom, to being mainstreemed into a "regular" class. he still has the OT, but we are very thankful for teh help he has gotten! God Bless!

 

[uniquetadpole]

you are very welcome... I have some more info on understanding the tactile system

http://christianforums.com/showthread.php?t=2509477