Hello

I don't know why I never thought about coming on this board b4, but after opening some posts a lot of them sound like DS.

DS is 32 months. He is diagnosed with a speech delay and sensory disorder. He's been seeing a EI Speech Therapist and OT each once a week since he was about 25 months.
He's been doing FANTASTIC.
His receptive and expressive is still delayed, but his comprehension is almost to his age. He is also finally talking in sentences. more than 2 words sometimes.
Even though he knows a lot of nouns and objects for some reason when he's upset he whines instead of calling out to DH or myself. He points to us and knows we're mommy and daddy, but never calls to us.
Also, he can't express sometimes if something bothers him. It gets frustrating a lot
I am reading a book "Raising a Sensory Smart Child," which is a great read
Also, I found that deep hugs and massages seem to calm him.

Anyone else have a child similiar to DS?
thanks!

ETA - I forgot to mention his feeding issue as well. Only likes babyfood (which I finally cut out), yogurt, PB on a sandwich, crackers, etc.
Only likes to drink pediasure or milk. I have to water it down b/c he won't drink water
Feeding time can be a nightmare and if we have a party or friends over I give in to giving him whatever he'll eat so there's no fit
I bribe him to take bites of steamed carrots, chicken nuggets, etc.
Won't try new things. If I put them in front of him he will have a fit, but we're working on it. I will pause the TV or not turn the page to a book to make sure he takes a bite.
One turkey meatball can take an hour for him to eat.
Basically, what other kids love DS won't even try. Only eats cake or cupcakes with a spoon and I will literally have to fight to put some on his lip to show him he will like it.

Message edited 1/23/2012 9:45:27 AM.

Re: Hello

My DS has PDD-NOS, but has very similar eating habits. I finally cut out all babyfood at about 18 months because he was even refusing most of that and I wanted to make him eat more table foods.

He eats gallons of applesauce. We have also gotten him to eat other things with the help of the special ed teachers who work with him, and his speech therapist. He basically lives on carbs and cheese, with applesauce, mandarin oranges and diced peaches. It's tough and he is very stubborn. I have taken away his most favorite food and will only give it to him if he tries something new, and it's not working. I am working on other incentives, but it's hard and becomes a battle of wills. Sometimes I have the energy to push him and sometimes I don't. He does eat a lot of the things he will eat, though, so he is growing and strong, so I don't worry too much about it. I never leave home without food, though, and I dream of the day I can take him to a party or a restaurant and he will eat something offered without me bringing stuff from home.

ETA - I spent 45 minutes on the last meatball he ate. The last one I offered him, he spit out into his hand and threw across the room.

Message edited 1/23/2012 10:55:19 AM.

Re: Hello

Posted by dpli

My DS has PDD-NOS, but has very similar eating habits. I finally cut out all babyfood at about 18 months because he was even refusing most of that and I wanted to make him eat more table foods.

He eats gallons of applesauce. We have also gotten him to eat other things with the help of the special ed teachers who work with him, and his speech therapist. He basically lives on carbs and cheese, with applesauce, mandarin oranges and diced peaches. It's tough and he is very stubborn. I have taken away his most favorite food and will only give it to him if he tries something new, and it's not working. I am working on other incentives, but it's hard and becomes a battle of wills. Sometimes I have the energy to push him and sometimes I don't. He does eat a lot of the things he will eat, though, so he is growing and strong, so I don't worry too much about it. I never leave home without food, though, and I dream of the day I can take him to a party or a restaurant and he will eat something offered without me bringing stuff from home.

ETA - I spent 45 minutes on the last meatball he ate. The last one I offered him, he spit out into his hand and threw across the room.

Re: Hello

PDD-NOS is Pervasive Development Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified, which is an Autism Spectrum disorder. Basically, it means he has some of the characteristics of autism, but not severe enough or as many of them to be classified as having classic autism.

He was getting Speech and PT through EI and one of the therapists recommended another special ed evaluation, which led to an evaluation with a child psychologist. The psychologist was the one who diagnosed him, while he was still in EI.

Some of the flags in DS's case were language delays, sensory processing issues, lack of interest in peers or socialization with them (although he would interact with adults).

Since your DS is approaching 3 years old, if he still needs services, he will transition to the school district program, CPSE. Depending on when he was evaluated, he may have more evaluations done before the transition. You may want to ask for a child psych eval if you have concerns and think he needs more help than what he is getting now.

Message edited 1/23/2012 11:16:42 AM.

Re: Hello

thanks
funny b/c I do notice Mason is finally playing with other kids, but they have to be his age or older. He has no interest in babies. Once in a while his brother, but otherwise ignores.

He does get excited for playdates now and runs to the kid saying "HI" a few times.

You reminded me I have to send the letter to our local Early Learning center since he will be 3 in May.

I made a note for myself. The rep came over 2 weeks ago to discuss their programs

Re: Hello

Use this board, Erica. There are lots of parents on here who have navigated/are navigating the system and are very helpful.

Re: Hello

Posted by dpli

Use this board, Erica. There are lots of parents on here who have navigated/are navigating the system and are very helpful.

Re: Hello

AJ is 4.5 and has classic autism... he has visual issues when it comes to feeding... textures aren't so bad, but its trying something new, like you said.

he used to eat EVERYTHING i put in front of him, but then all of a sudden he stopped eating...

he gets a carnation every day, he eats pancakes, pizza, waffles, chicken nuggets, french fries, and a variety of junk food, but he is very specific on the shape of the foods and the the brands.

he gets speech at home 3x30 and speech all day in school, all his other therapies are done in school as well, but gets an addition 3 hours of SEIT (ABA) at home.

our situation is slightly different, but the food thing sounds like AJ... i always have foods with me that he will eat.. it is a total PITA when we are out but it works for us, School is introducing new foods to him, but he won't each them at home.

patience and time... this is a great board.

Re: Hello

Welcome! My son has PDD NOS, and this is a great board, one of my favorites on LIF, and the parents on here have been so helpful.

We started out with social delays. My son was still doing parallel play after most kids were more engaged, and he was hitting kids (with a smile on his face, he seemed to think this was the way to get their attention). He also has sensory issues, and OT has helped a lot except with feeding. He eats a limited diet also, not enough to cause alarm, but he must have certain foods and certain brands of foods. I'll never forget when I bought garlic hummus instead of classic, he didn't trust it for months! We actually have moved back to veggie puréed at 4 years of age, which seems wrong, but he has constipation problems, so I want him to eat whatever will help with that. The only other veggies he will eat are carrots in soup. We have been asking him to kiss new foods and taste them. If he does he gets a sticker, enough stickers and he gets a new app. And yes, unless we go out for brunch, I need to pack food for him.

Again, welcome to the board!

Re: Hello

Hi Erica, good to see you here.

Jack too was just diagnosed w/ SPD by a dev. ped. & just received speech services through CPSE. We're probably going to go through insurance for OT b/c the sensory gym at his feeding therapy worked wonders for him.

He is still only drinking Pediasure (no solids at all) since June after stopping baby food at 2 & trying only plain yogurt & vanilla cake. He's never chewed anything.

So frustrating, as you know.

Everyone here is so helpful & friendly & non-judgemental which is so great to see. Welcome!