talk to me about sensory/impulse issues

I think my son (he was 4 in May) is having some sensory and impulse control issues.

To begin, he has always had some sensory issues. This began with food (texture issues) and has continued to this day with things like temperature/lights. He will ask us to turn off the air conditioning and lights. It usually happens when he is watching TV. If we do not, he melts down.

I called CPSE and they said I must register him with the district (Plainedge) before doing anything. I am starting that process now.

Just curious if anyone else is in this boat? He is the SMARTEST, most loving child. He is happy, has tons of friends at school, everyone knows him and loves him. He will sit in my lap and snuggle and tell me how much he loves me and then 10 minutes later, he is laying on the floor screaming and kicking and uncontrollable.

Part of me feels that something is just not right. I am starting to have anxiety over these tantrums. I feel like maybe I am failing him - maybe not handling things right. Too passive or aggressive or neither. I don't know. Maybe it IS all normal (he is my first).

We find that taking away TV is the only punishment that even makes him flinch. Food/eating is very hard. He is SO picky and only eats certain things - maybe he is lacking certain nutrition and that is contributing.

We finally did away with naps completely because he would stay up until 11pm on the days he napped. Now he is a tired mess come 6pm (after school) but I will not go back to naps. Even without the nap, sometimes he doesn't actually pass out until 10pm.

HELP! I feel like I am losing control

Message edited 9/5/2014 1:49:27 PM.

Re: talk to me about sensory/impulse issues

I'm sorry you are going through this, but you are not alone and it will get better. I promise! DS had some dev delays with sensory issues. He was in EI since 1.5 yrs old and then (what you in NY call the CPSE program) the POP program in the local early learning center since he was 3 years old. He is now 5 and just started kindergarten. He is just in a regular class now. They wanted to main stream him bc he is smart and tends to follow other's behavior. They want him to move forward and will have a Special Ed teacher in the class to sit with him during reading, language, math, etc. THis way he gets more one on one.
You described DS a lot. Very loveable, lots of friends, sweet, etc. Just can't handle some situations. Too much going on he will get some anxiety. He doesn't like a lot of toys that move, but with work he's getting better and learning to communicate about it instead of having a meltdown. Freaked at a toy store to now asking me what aisle are we going in and could we skip the talking stuffed animal aisle. Kinda funny my kid doesn't like toy stores. LOL
Feel free to FM me. DS is doing amazing. Still has OT for low muscle tone and gets PT. Glad he's going into a regular K class, but we'll see how he does. He is smart, but distracted easily. Like your DS he loves TV and of course the Ipad. I use it as reward.

Re: talk to me about sensory/impulse issues

DS has some sensory issues too.

He has gotten a lot better though as he has gotten older.

I also in addition to utilizing services through CPSE the last 2 years, had him assessed through Cohen's.

We were having major sleep issues too and she advised giving him liquid melatonin mixed with juice.

I have been and it's like a freakin' miracle now dealing with him at night .

Re: talk to me about sensory/impulse issues

My DS sounds a lot like yours, but he's almost 8 now. I regret not having him evaluated when get was younger. I didn't realize at that time that EI dealt with behavioral issues and I knew even back then that he was sensory driven, but I didn't realize that that alone might qualify him. I thought they needed to have more of a learning or physical delay in order to qualify. That's what I was lead to believe by his teachers at the time. They said he was too academically advanced and would never qualify.
With that said, we did pay out of pocket for him to see a behavioralist for some time. It didn't make any difference. I kept asking her how I can better handle him and she didn't offer any help. With trial and error we found that he responded really well to behavior charts- we did charts and marble jars mostly.
Fast forward a few years, and although he may never be an easy kid, he is so much better. He has learned self control as he's gotten older. He can talk about his feelings instead of just exploding. Last year we did have him diagnosed as ADD Inattentive. He is not on medication and does not need it. He does sometimes need to be redirected though, or might need help staying on task. We got the diagnosis so that if, at any point, he starts struggling in school, we can get the accommodations he needs.

Re: talk to me about sensory/impulse issues

I'm a pediatric OT and my DD (4yrs) is a sensory kiddo. She receives PT for gross motor delays/toe walking (she would never qualify for OT through CPSE and I can't afford to pay out of pocket) It has been a long road, but it does get better. A good sensory diet of sensory motor activities, a behavioral plan, a self regulation program, social skills books and a lot of patience have been very helpful. The alert program/how does your engine run? Is extremely helpful and very parent friendly. They will be running an online training course starting at the end of Sept. I took the course for continuing ed units for work and to help me figure out strategies at home.

http://www.alertprogramlearning.com

Re: talk to me about sensory/impulse issues

thank you all for the responses. He has no delays (ahead educationally and physically) so I don't know that he will qual for anything... some minor speech issues but again at 4, I don't know that he would qualify. I guess it will just make me feel better to be able to tell myself that I tried...

I will take a look at the links and pick up a few books. We have tweaked his bedtime to take away the ipad because I know he would stay up all night long with it if we let him and getting it away from him is what sets him off. Back to one tv show (on the tv) then 3 books then bed.

Hoping things calm down ... soon!

Re: talk to me about sensory/impulse issues

Good luck.

From what I have learned, it's really tough getting them supports for sensory stuff, especially if they are doing well in school.

DS was graduated out of CPSE at the end of Pre K and now we need to take a wait and see approach.

He was given an ADHD mixed type diagnosis but his IQ is also exceptionally high.

Cohen's said that may present other issues down the road....