SPD Update

[AFWife]

My son got his home evaluation today. It went great! I had to keep reminding myself "They're here to evaluate FRANKLIN, not ME."

He does qualify for services. He's not an extreme case, but there are enough things to qualify him.

For example:

- They showed him how to play with a toy and then tried to get him to play with it another way...and he wouldn't do it because that's not how you play with that toy.

- He tuned them out a lot because he wasn't finished doing X Activity.

(those two things they want to work on...being able to stop an activity even if it's not perfect)

- He's still a bit behind on language.

- When he's upset and calming down (he had a tantrum while they were here) he makes this specific tone noise (a whining noise) They said that for him that sound feels good. One of our goals is to give him other ways to calm down.

- They want to work on his pretend play. He doesn't do it.

They said we have to go outside AT LEAST twice a day. (It's about to be too hot to go out in the afternoon) They want him to do more heavy work activities and find ways to get that deep touch (so he stops throwing himself off of the couch).

Basically, I feel really good about it. Right now someone will be coming out weekly to see him. (The ECI Specialist) The Speech Person and OT will come monthly right now.

They said he's perfect for the program. He's not an extreme case but there's enough there that we can get tools to help him. That's all we wanted, really.

Thanks so much for all of your support. I'm going to be in this forum more often now that we for sure are in the program.

[LynnS6]

I'm really glad he qualifies! Our son benefited tremendously from occupational therapy -- and we didn't start until he was 5. I wish I'd known about SPD earlier.

[crunchy_mommy]

Great news!!

[AFWife]

Even after one visit things are already better. (Of course I'm "research girl" when it comes to my family)

We've started doing heavy work things before bed (wheelbarrow walking across the living room and tonight he had to push Daddy's hands away with his hands and feet) We've started doing massage. We bought a scented plug in for the bedroom and started playing Classical music in addition to the box fan.

Now that I know how he works I already feel like I can be a better parent.

We also figured out that THIS is why we are having so much trouble weaning him off of the bottle. THAT is what you use to drink milk! He almost gets angry when you try to offer him a glass of milk. Everything else is fine from a glass (but not a sippy cup).

[SpottedFoxx]

That's wonderful!  Some of our favorite activities for heavy work and deep tissue.  

Fill the laundry basket and have him push it down the hall for us.

Help you to rearrange a heavy object (Can you put this on that table... no, I don't like the way it looks there, how about the dining room table? No, what do you think where would it look best).

Have him carry my purse (it weighs a ton!).

Have him carry a backpack with a 5lb weight (or if he's little, a lighter weight - my son is 5 and is 50lbs).

Weighted vests and blankets are great - just don't go too heavy.

We love to make "Dylan" sandwiches.  He'll lay on the bed and I'll put a pillow on him and then lay on him.  He's one piece of bread, the pillow is the meat and I'm the other pillow (not full body weight though).

Make your son into a pizza.  Have him lay on the floor.  First spread the "sauce" on him - long heavy strokes.

Then add the cheese - using your finger tips to put the "cheese on" so it will stay put"

Then the pepperoni (similar to cheese just use a different shape to my hand).

Then I eat him up (deep tickles).  He loves it and begs for more :)

[jillmamma]

Hi!  I am in Texas too, and totally know what you mean about it getting WAY too hot to go out much in the summer!  My oldest is autism spectrum, and my middle has SPD, so I can relate there too.  Do you have access to a pool?  I have found that in the summer, even just 1/2 of that can make a HUGE difference in their behavior if they are getting crazy (swimming with the resistance of water is good heavy work).  Another thing my kids love is going to one of those blow up jumphouse places, or as we are in Houston, to Space Center Houston which has a huge climbing structure in the A/C, or the Children's Museum (another place with A/C).  Or even to a splash pad so they can run around and stay cool.  In the summer, I tend to try and do more activities in the morning and evening when it is cooler, and just chill in the afternoons if possible.  For my middle girl, getting her outside on the swing for even 15 minutes can really help her to calm down and regulate herself better (either swinging or spinning on the swing).  And I also agree, OT has been WONDERFUL for my 2 older ones! :)