Sensory diet question....

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-24-2004
Sensory diet question....
4
Thu, 01-26-2006 - 12:20pm

I'm not sure who uses sensory diets here? I'm thinking of implimenting one with Jack and have spoken with his OT about developing one....Most likely it will include some deep pressure activities, (just tried the exerciseband around his torso for 20 minutes this week and got a "ooh! that feels good" response and CALM behavior for a good 3 hours after that! woo hoo!!), joint compression, and blowing on his silent whistle for a while.

Here's his issue....when he gets wound up, he'll run around and basically start acting like there are some HUGE behavioral problems (spitting, screeching, pushing and running away, and jumping on the furniture). All of this screams to me that he's looking first for some joint compression and the screeching usually stops once he starts blowing up a balloon or blowing on his silent whistle. The spitting is just gross, and we're trying to deal with that (just getting rid of it) -- any ideas there would be great, but it's more when he's stressed.

Anyway, I'm hoping to do some jumping on the mini tramp (or jumping jacks which work too), silent whistle, pushing on the wall (???).....anyone else have any ideas?

I guess he was a real stinker yesterday at school....UGH!

HAs any one found success with these?

Still learning.....

Image hosting by Photobucket
Photobucket
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-19-2005
Thu, 01-26-2006 - 12:48pm

Hi Katie,

Sounds like you have a really good start on a sensory diet. Eric is a jumper, crasher, runner too when he is overexcited, stressed or tired. We have a mini tramp that is prominently displayed in our living room. Not the most attrative interior design, but it gets used all the time and beats jumping on the couch! (We just don't have a good place for it outside or in a play room, as we live in a small townhouse) I would definitely recommend a minitramp. We seriously use it several times a day. I try to get Eric to jump on it a few times before school too.

Jack saying "that feels good" is great and a wonderful sign. Eric is like that about joint compressions. We call it "brushes and pushes" and now he asks for it. Eric is also hyper after school and that's when we does most of the sensory stuff.

I also made a weighted vest. I just went to the fabric store, got some cute Nemo material and made pockets in the front that open and close with velcro. Bought some beanbags and put them into the pockets. Eric resists putting it on, but once it is on he really settles down. He actually likes getting under a weighted blanket too (made it the same way, it's not too big, just enough to cover him but not really the whole bed).

We also try to get outside and just run around, go to the park and swing every day. Since we live in FL we can do this in the winter, it might be harder now.

Another good thing is a bouncy ball with handles that you can hold. Eric will sit on this and watch tv bouncing.

Has your OT mentioned making "Jack sanwiches"? You have him lay down and put pillows on top of him and put pressure on him. Eric adores this. We play all kinds of silly games, Eric is the hot dog and the pillows are the bun, etc.

We don't have the screeching or spitting problem, but Eric is a tooth grinder and I'm trying to get a handle on this. I tried gum, but he doesn't like it. I give him crunchy stuff to eat (crackers, chips) which helps a bit, but this problem seems a bit bigger. Bubble or balloon blowing sound like a good idea. I also give Eric drinks with staws a lot. Or have him do games like use a straw to "drink" yogurt or a thick smoothie.

Carrying around heavy stuff in a wagon is good too. We have Eric fill up his wagon with toys or whatever and take them for a ride. Sometimes we put or dog in the wagon and Eric takes him for a ride. Carrying in groceries, silly as it may sound, also has a calming effect, I don't know why!

"Push me pull you" is good. Sit face to face with soles of feet together and hands together then see-saw back and forth. Eric finds this hilarious!

Just some ideas but you sound like you have a good sense of what to do! We have found this sensory stuff to really be the key to self-regulation, but sometimes it is easy to forget or to stick with it. Do you have the "Out of Sync" books? They have lots of good ideas for sensory diet stuff.

Katherine

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-24-2004
Thu, 01-26-2006 - 1:08pm

Katie,

Katherine gave some great advice! We also have a mini trampoline and the bouncy balls. Nathan loves to wrestle....does this with his big brother. And dh and I give him a nice rub down at bedtime. This helps him to relax and go to sleep. Nathan also loves to run around and pace back and forth. We moved into a bigger house last summer, and now we have plenty of room for this!! It's hard to get outside during the colder months, so having more room indoors really helps. And he LOVES the stairs too!

Nathan doesn't like heavy things to carry or even the weighted vest...so we don't do that. He's more of a bouncer and jumper!!!

michelle

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-24-2004
Thu, 01-26-2006 - 1:41pm

We do have a mini tramp, and I must say, it's been a godsend!! We moved this summer into a home with a huge finished basement (read: playroom LOL) so that has been great in giving Jack the space to "do his thing"....at night he likes to wrestle with his dad and little brother and get tickles too. He asks for it "Can I have 'I gotcha, please?'" which is always nice since I can then send everyone downstairs LOL!

I definately am interested in the diet thing to get him on track for next year (he'll be in a gen ed kindergarten class with a full time aide) as I don't want him having any spazz attacks during the school day ;o) (you all know what I mean right? I hope I didn't offend anyone with that last comment)....

Thanks for the input, and keep it coming! LOL!

Image hosting by Photobucket
Photobucket
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-26-2005
Thu, 01-26-2006 - 1:46pm
Katherine gave some great tips. We use joint compressions and brushing with Ella and sandwiches with Jake and are about to buy a trampoline because Jake has started to crave movement which is odd because when he was younger he would freak out if I even put him on the swing at the playground. Ella is going to be getting a weighted vest soon because she is the one with the most sensory needs so I'm hoping they work because they are exspensive.I wish I had thought of making one of my own.
Teresa