[emblmrgrl]

Hello everyone... I'm new to this particular board although I've been reading a bit now and then after I decided there is something one of my sons needs some help with. So here's my story & questions...

I have twin boys, age 5, Cyrus & Cole. Cyrus has always been very sensitive. He gets bothered by tags & clothing, is a picky eater, timid, plays quietly, etc... I have just always attributed it to his personality and made accomadations for him when necessary. We just know how to deal with him better I guess...

Cole is another subject entirely. He has been moving since in utero. I mean all the time, he's always "on". When he does sleep he just passes out... can be talking to you one minute and then is just out like a light. However, he doesn't sleep all night long. He's usually up some time after 2 or 3 am and may stay awake all day or nap later. He chews on everything... I mean freakin' everything. He's eaten the buttons off of now two remotes... chews on his clothes, his toys, his bed.... you name it, he chews it. He's very agressive. I've heard he's "all boy" more times than I can count. I know it's more than that. I cannot leave him unsupervised for a single minute. I thought he'd outgrow most of these behaviors. And, I guess to a degree they have improved. We thought in his younger years it was a discipline issue and tried many things but he's just so impulsive that I now know, it's not discipline. He's just so rough. On the flip side of all that, he's super smart. He's well ahead of where my 9 y/o was at this point.

Anyway, today I took them for their Kindergarten physicals and spoke with my pediatrician about Cole. I asked how to go about an evaluation for SID, shoot... I'd settle for an evaluation for anything at this point, I just need to know how to help him. She seemed to focus on the fact that he's not sleeping and said any therapy if it was a sensory issue wouldn't help if his body isn't in the correct cycles. I don't disagree with that per se, but she prescribed him Clonidine to help him sleep.

I really really don't wanna medicate him. Does anyone know of another way to do this? Or is this a pretty routine thing to do? Am I being silly? I'm looking into buying some sensory things for our home (chewable items, one of those disks to sit on that he can take to school) since we're not getting into therapy any time soon. I just can't find a great deal of tips to use with kids that are undersensitive. I do keep his sugar intake as low as I can and we're constantly making dietary improvements. I just really could use some advice so I'd appreciate any suggestions you would have. Thanks for listening...

 

[USAmma]

When my youngest was dx with SID, one of her therapy goals was better sleeping. She was a terrible, awful sleeper. I started the therapy with her and she responded very, very well. She started sleeping well within 2 weeks of brush therapy. She also got over most of her other SID issues to the point that she recently graduated from therapy! Still working on eating/gagging/vomting, but the sleep and other SID behaviors are almost gone.

 

[catgirl]

How much physical exercise is he getting? We all need it, but some people are like large dogs that go nuts if they don't get an hour's vigorous workout a day.

How's his diet? Additives and colorings can drive some people over the edge. Check out the Feingold diet, and the diet threads on this forum.

 

[thoesly]

I am bothered by any doctor that reaches for a prescription pad as a first strategy. I don't think you're being silly at all to resist medicating your son until other avenues have been pursued. SID can impact sleep -- so can a lot of other conditions (it would be interesting to ask if any mamas here have a child with special needs who *hasn't* had sleep issues at one time or another).

Have you asked the school district about an evaluation for your son? Some people have had poor luck in their district, but my district has been much more helpful than any doctor. You don't need your doctor's referral to get help from them, and your son will get therapy if he needs it (provided his sensory needs interfere with his education -- like being able to pay attention and do projects).

You might check the Allergies forum regarding dietary concerns -- my own son slept through the night for the first time ever when we went GFCF. The Family Bed forum has lots of threads regarding sleep issues. Sometimes poor sleep is associated with a magnesium deficiency, and that has been discussed there, and some mamas have tried melatonin with success.

Good luck,

Tara