sensory intergration dysfunction

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-15-2006
sensory intergration dysfunction
4
Sat, 01-21-2006 - 11:55pm

Hi,

I just finished reading the book "The Out of Sync Child". I am convinced more than ever that Matt suffers from some of these sensory issues. He has already been diagnosed with Asperger's. Is this a medicial diagnosis? If so, who conducts the eval? I'm not looking to have Matt diagnosed with more things, but I think if he were medically diagnosed with this disorder we could have it put in his IEP and then he could recieve the appropriate therapies and classroom modifications. He is having a terrible time in school and I think it's because he's on sensory overload being with all of the other little kids. He is not one for crowds, loud noises, and too much visual stimulization. The more I read on Asperger's and related disorders, the more concerned I become for Matt. I don't want to seem like an overbearing mother looking to diagnose my kid with another ailment because I read it in a book. I just want Matt to get the best possible help I can get him and if he has this disorder I'd like to get on top of it now and get him the help he needs to get in under control.
Any advice or answers, as always is greatly appreciated.
Thanks all,

Carol

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-03-2004
Sun, 01-22-2006 - 6:09am

Dear Carol,

Of course you are not an overbearing mother. SID is definitely something you should have dx'ed and treated, and accomodations on his IEP. You need to find a good Occupational Therapisr with experience in SID to do the evaluation, also the school district should have an O.T. eval done as well. You really may want to consider getting more O.T. outsde school as well as getting servies through the school district, this can make a huge difference in how well a child does in school. Sometimes insurance will even cover outside therapy, although now often...

We have had our son (now 8) in O.T. since he was 3. I wish now that we had even done more extra outside sessions, as SID is really his biggest issue, although that theory of mind stuff can mess him up, too. For us, being taught in a separate small private special ed school where there are NOT too many kids in classroom has been essential to success.

Good luck, let us know how things are going.

yours,

Sara
ilovemalcolm

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-15-2006
Sun, 01-22-2006 - 6:20pm

Thanks Sara,

Ok, couple more questions..who would know a qualified OT? Would the psychologist who diagnosed Matt or should I start with him primary care? I don't mean to sound stupid, I have all of these questions and I just don't know where to go for answers..hence all my posts on this board..LOL. Matt's next IEP is scheduled for March, I'd really like to get any other issues with Matt out of the way and diagnosed by then, so if they do decided to keep him integrated it will be noted in his ED file. The teachers up at his school are not well versed in autism (which teacher's really are?)but so far all of them are willing to listen to me and try different things I suggest. I really wish there were more knowledgeable people at the school, not only to work with Matt, but to help me as well.
I do want to get him into additional therapies outside the home..but once again I don't know who to call to get the ball rolling. He's only 4.5 right now and everyday I notice new things with him, so for my peace of mind as well as his I'd like him to be diagnosed with every syndrome/dysfunction that he has. I feel if we can catch it early we can work with it and change it to a certain extent. But like I said, I don't want to seem overbearing and fishing for diagnosises, I just want Matt to get all the help he needs.

Thanks again,
Carol

Avatar for betz67
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Sun, 01-22-2006 - 7:08pm

Hi Carol,

I would try calling the psychologist who dx'ed your son. Also you should call the school district-- the psychologist or speech therapist there should know who the OT in the district is, so that that OT can eval him as well. Another great resource is the Autism Society in your state. They should be able to get you a list of therapists who work w/ kids w/ autism.

Betsy

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-09-2003
Sun, 01-22-2006 - 7:47pm

Just another thought, Carol.

~ Chelsea