vestibular sensitivity question

[elmh23]

Ds is 3 and has "sensory issues" but no firm diagnosis (and we're not pursuing one either.) He also has a speech delay.

So, every time we leave the grocery store or Target and he's in the shopping cart walking to the car on the rocky parking lot, he starts screaming. Yesterday I was finally able to get out of him exactly why he was screaming for the first time. He said it hurts his ears.

Now my question- What can I do (beside letting him walk in the parking lot because he also is a bolter and I have an infant which complicates things!) to help him deal with this? I mentioned it to his speech therapist and she's going to ask the team about it at their meeting today (ds used to be seen for OT but he pretty much outgrew the need for the most part) and she'll let me know what they think next week.

Also, what activities can I do to help him gain control of his vestibular sense?

[blessedwithboys]

this is probably more an auditory issue than vestibular if he says his ears hurt, or at least it was for my son.

is it the noise of the cart on the bumps or is he getting dizzy from moving? my ds couldnt use a regular shopping cart bc he hated going backwards (had to turn his carseat FF at 12 mos, too, or i would have crashed the car from all the screaming. not ideal, i know...) but my ds also hated the noise as well. for example, i would use the fancy forward facing shopping carts that have the truck attachment with the steering wheel. ds would be fine until we hit the rumble strips in the parking lot.

if its auditory for your son, maybe you could try listening therapy. didnt work for us though bc my ds had a very resistant personality and he refused to wear the headphones (tactile defensive too)

[nayma]

i agree that it sounds auditory. could you take along a pair of headphones next time and see if that helps? i know this sounds bonkers (forgive me), but can you put the infant in the cart and piggyback your son? what about a backpack leash just for the parking lot? i know they look awful, but i understand why some parents use them now. good luck.

[elmh23]

The infant is in the cart (I'm not great at babywearing until babes are a bit bigger and my new guy is only 6wks old.) I already have a backpack leash because he is a runner, but I haven't had to use it in awhile (everywhere we go has carts or I get out the stroller), but I'll try it next time we go shopping.

I hadn't thought of auditory. His SLP said vestibular so I went with that. He does seem so to be sensitive to certain sounds outside of our house, but not all the time. Can auditory sensitives come and go?

ETA: Thanks!

[LynnS6]

Yes, auditory sensitivities can come and go. If you can, could you go back for a 'check up' with the OT?

I would definitely get a backpack/leash or harness/leash and let him walk. It's a way for both your needs to be met -- he can be on the ground away from the noise where it doesn't hurt his ears, and you can make sure he doesn't bolt. If the leash idea really bothers you, you could tie a sling around his waist and hold on to him that way.

[nayma]

my dd has had major vestibular issues in the past, and now as they seem to get better, her auditory stuff seems to get worse. i have seen all her sensory issues vacillate and switch up over the last few years. going over bumpy stuff wouldn't likely do anything to his vestibular system, unless it was really causing his head to jerk around or something. i think the leash idea sounds really solid - and you can always check in with him afterward and see how he feels. sometimes i think just knowing their needs will be addressed if they reach a painful point makes things bearable. for example, my dd has become really sensitive to the monthly siren testing from the school across the street - she looked downright terrified recently. the past several times we've used headphones before the sirens even started. this past month she said, "mama, i don't need them. i'll be okay."
hope you find something that works well!!