Want to get DS a sensory eval but confused where to start

[Katielady]

I'll try to keep this as brief as possible. I'd like to get my almost 5yo DS evaluated for suspected sensory issues but am not sure where to start. I asked his teacher at pre-k and she had no info for me beyond the fact that he does not qualify for a state eval because his issues don't interfere with his ability to learn at school. I asked my pediatrician (actually really only spoke to the front desk lady) and she recommended contacting early intervention, but I thought that's only for kids up to age 3? We're in new york state.

I am willing to pay for an evaluation and services out of pocket but am not sure how to find the right place. I thought maybe some of y'all might be able to steer me in the right direction. I'll try to list what I feel are "signs" of some kind of global issue.

-Lots of shirt-chewing

-Always has to be moving his tongue in his mouth, clicking it from side to side etc.

-Picks at his skin

-Overly sensitive to loud noises

-Highly sensitive to taste and texture of food. Won't eat slightly different brand of maple syrup, packaged bread, etc. Very limited in what he'll eat- he'll starve to the point of crying rather than eat unfamiliar foods at a friend's house, even when the food is relatively benign like chicken soup.

-Slathers almost everything he eats in ketchup. He uses the food as a scoop and eats a big gob of ketchup with every bite. He then washes that down with big gulps of water. He started crying one night because I wasn't fast enough refilling his water and he had some ketchup on his tongue.

-Refuses to eat with utensils

-Will retch and vomit if pressured to eat something he doesn't like. (It's only happened a few times and I always feel so terrible. :( )

He's a really compliant kid about just about everything, he's really into following the rules and doing what's asked of him, so I feel like a lot of this is really beyond his control and not just bad feeding habits. We have been following Ellyn Satter's techniques for about a year now and while it's made mealtimes more peaceful he is still not eating any greater variety, in fact we seem to be losing foods.

Suggestions anyone? I wake up at night worrying about this. He's starting to look too skinny to me.

[Emmeline II]

You need an Occupational Therapist. If you will be using insurance it will likely narrow your options so I'd start there.

[Katielady]

thanks emmeline. :)

I actually found a brochure in the lobby at DS's preschool for a state-sponsored center with a number you can call to get free referrals and information. I wish one of his teachers had pointed this out to me, but I'm glad to have it now!

[Katielady]

Update: I called the number from the brochure and spoke with a really nice woman for a long time. It's the first time someone besides my mom or husband has taken me seriously about DS's issues and really seemed to understand, which got me all choked up.

She gave me the numbers to several local places, and made an appointment with one for a lengthy OT eval. I think she called it a "Miller Evaluation," is anyone familiar with that?

Another question: I called my insurance company and they do offer OT coverage, but the only in-network person in my area does hand OT, which is obviously totally different. The woman from the OT center says I may be able to get an in-network exception in that case. Any tips on navigating insurance coverage?

Thanks y'all. I'm so excited to get DS some help. He's such an awesome kid, and I think addressing these issues will alleviate a lot of anxiety for him. Every meal outside the home, for example, causes him so much worry. And I'm hoping the family counseling aspect of the eval will help me and DH with some techniques too.