SPD and being SUPER SUPER SILLY

[momtoS]

Since the return to school after the holidays my dd has been really silly. Rolling on the floor, running around etc. She has received many time outs.

Does anyone have any insight why she may be so out of sorts? (I mean she is usually is really active and silly....but she is even MORE active and silly.....)

I am feeling discouraged.

[2boyzmama]

Ian does this, gets "silly" and starts throwing himself around, rolling around, falling down, running into things, etc. I didn't realize until I recently talked to his teacher and the OT at his school, but they think that he is seeking deep sensory input, which is why he's throwing himself around like that. So maybe try giving her opportunities for that kind of input??

[Linda on the move]

yeah, she needs more sensory input and time outs are the wrong way to go.

Is there an indoor pool or playground close to where you live? Is she young enough/small enough for a small ball pit of her very own? Would a mini-trampoline be a good choice for her? Do you have a basement when she hop around on one of those big balls with a handle?

She might like a gymnastics or tumbling class.

[KimPM]

Looks like she needs more active sensory input. Maybe since the weather is colder, they are not playing outside at school much if at all...?

[earthmama369]

DS has been doing this, too. Ah, the joys of winter and a kid who doesn't like the cold.

Some ideas to try:

rolling (swaddling) her up in a blanket -- head out!! -- like a taco and putting toppings on her (rubbing or patting firmly)

oh no! the wall is falling down! go hold it up! push hard! (count to 20)

if you have a long hallway or open space, she could roll down the hallway (or open space)

walk her on her hands like a wheelbarrow

Try doing games like this for a minute or two before you need to ask her to do something requiring calm and concentration, like putting on shoes and coat or doing schoolwork. Two minutes of deep pressure usually gets me 4-5 minutes of ds sitting relatively calmly and focusing on the task at hand.

[mountainsunshine]

Checkout "the sensory child has fun" it is full of info for a bored seeker.

Sarah

[Kuba'sMama]

A bit different perspective here.
My son is 6.5 and has SPD. Usually he is very serious (within reason of course). When he is starting to get silly (unable to focus, giggling inappropriately, not doing what he's told- brushing his teeth for example, instead spitting water and laughing manically), I take it he's OVERSTIMULATED, not under. He usually acts that way at the end of the day, when tired, etc. Today for example he had a busy day and a very hard time getting ready for bed (usually he's ok), being very silly, "flopping around", laughing, talking in a super loud, franctic voice... finally i did raise my voice to him and he started to cry, but that actually did help him wind himself down... he was asleep in 5 minutes.
Of course, I'm not saying make him cry! Just that maybe too much stimulation can cause the sillies and they can't help it?

[Linda on the move]

Originally Posted by Kuba'sMama

Just that maybe too much stimulation can cause the sillies and they can't help it?

yes, but with my DD, the wrong kind of stimulation (like school) makes things more difficult for her while the right kind of stimulation (like swimming) makes things easier for her.

To put it another way, other children's chaos is overstimulating for her, but anything quiet, repeatetive sensory input is soothing. I think this time of year is difficult because she gets less of what she needs -- swinging, bike riding, etc are great for her.

[slsurface]

This is every day for us! Everyone thinks that DS is soo, so funny, but it just makes me crazy because the goofiness is just non-stop!!!

[Momma Aimee]

subbing as out of conmtrol super silly ping pong ball stuff is a big issues for us

[slsurface]

Originally Posted by 2boyzmama

Ian does this, gets "silly" and starts throwing himself around, rolling around, falling down, running into things, etc. I didn't realize until I recently talked to his teacher and the OT at his school, but they think that he is seeking deep sensory input, which is why he's throwing himself around like that. So maybe try giving her opportunities for that kind of input??

Another one in agreement for more sensory input. DS often gets like this in the evening, especially if he hasn't gotten enough "hard work" type of input during the day. He will literally bounce off the walls and furniture and make tons of noise while doing it! When he gets super silly he usually needs calming sensory input. I've found that going to the pool a couple times of week helps curtail the sillies, also activities around the house such as:

-playing wheelbarrow or sweeper (hold their legs and have your LO walk on their hands)
-pulling heavy baskets of toys from room to room or carrying laundry for mommy
-making a DS sandwich (pressing him against a workout ball with my body)

can really help. Of course once the weather warms up, running and biking outside will also do the trick. Good luck!

[peaceful_mama]

Is *this* my kid? See my super long post and add this info

CANNOT SIT on the COUCH! nobody wants to share the piece of furniture with him. Insists on tumbling over the back and arms despite REPEATED requests to NOT do so (and consequences) Nobody likes to feel the couch bounce!

Absolutely CAN'T sit still at the dinner table.

Does FINE at half-day 4 day a week preschool though, teacher does not see this behavior.