顯示具有 About 標籤的文章。 顯示所有文章
顯示具有 About 標籤的文章。 顯示所有文章

2012年9月19日 星期三

What You Should Know About Tactile Defensiveness and Other Tactile System Disorders


One of the most common sensory disorders is Tactile Defensiveness.  With this condition, a child is over or "hyper" sensitive to different types of touch.  Light touch is one of the most upsetting types of touch to a child with SI dysfunction.  Depending on the intensity of their dysfunction, they may become anywhere from mildly annoyed to completely freaked out by having someone lightly touch them.  A gentle kiss on the cheek may feel like they are having coarse sandpaper rubbed on their face.  They also may dislike feeling sand, grass or dirt on their skin.  Getting dressed may be a struggle as different clothing textures, tags and seams may cause them great discomfort.

Often children with Tactile Defensiveness or touch hypersensitivity will avoid, become fearful of, or are irritated by:


The wind blowing on bare skin
Light touch
Vibrating toys
Barefoot touching of carpet, sand and/or grass
Clothing textures
Tags and seams on clothing
Touching of "messy" things
Changes in temperature

On the other side of the spectrum is a child with Tactile Undersensitivity or "Hyposensitivity".   A tactile undersensitive child need a lot of input to get the touch information he or she needs.  They will often seek out tactile input on their own in sometimes unsafe ways.

A child who is undersensitive to touch may have these difficulties:



Emotional and social  - Craves touch to the extent that friends, family, and even strangers become annoyed and upset.  This could be the baby who constantly needs to be held, or the toddler who is clingy, craving continual physical contact.

Sensory exploration - Makes excessive physical contact with people and objects. Touching other children too forcefully or inappropriately (such as biting or hitting).

Motor - To get more tactile sensory information, he may need to use more of his skin surface to feel he's made contact with an object.

Grooming and dressing - May choose clothing that is, in your opinion, unacceptably tight or loose. He may brush his teeth so hard that he injures his gums.

If you child shows signs of Tactile Defensiveness or Undersensitivity, it's important to get a proper screening by an Occupational Therapist, pediatrician or other licensed professional.  This sensory assessment will help you in seeking out the proper course of treatment and therapy.




Visit [http://www.SensorySmartKid.com] for more information and support regarding Sensory Integration, PDD and other Autism Spectrum Disorders.





This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

2012年9月5日 星期三

Tactile Defensiveness - The Facts About the Wilbarger Brushing Protocol


Many children with Sensory Integration Disorders exhibit symptoms of tactile defensiveness. In layman's terms this simply means that they have hypersensitivity to touch and/or tactile input. This in turn may cause:

-Difficulty transitioning between activities

-Lack of attention or focus

-A fear or resistance to being touched

Your child may benefit from what is commonly known to most parents as "Brushing Therapy". It is known in Occupational Therapy circles as The Wilbarger Deep Pressure and Proprioceptive Technique (DPPT) & Oral Tactile Technique (OTT). It was developed by Dr. Patricia Wilbarger, MEd, OTR, FAOTA, an occupational therapist and clinical psychologist that has been working with sensory processing theories for over 30 years.

When first introduced to this, many parents are a bit skeptical. How can "brushing" my child help them with their sensory integration issues and tactile defensiveness? The theory behind it is that our skin is the human body's largest sensory organ, and therefore it is in constant contact with our nervous system; relaying information that allows us to interact effectively with our environment. Often times, the inability for the human body to process sensory input effectively can cause motor skill delays, tactile defensiveness, or social and emotional difficulties. Brushing therapy seeks to use this connection between the skin and the nervous system to assist kids who may be having difficulty organizing sensory information properly.

It is thankfully, quite simple to implement. The first step in the therapy involves using a soft, plastic, surgical brush which is run over the child's skin, using a very firm pressure, starting at the arms and working down to the feet. The chest and stomach area are always avoided as these are sensitive areas that can cause adverse reactions. There can be some drama at first, until the child becomes accustomed to the therapy, but most children find it pleasurable after a few sessions and may even ask for it when they are feeling "off". Along with the brushing, most practitioners will also prescribe joint compressions. In this phase of the treatment, the therapist or a parent trained by a therapist provides gentle compressions of each of the child's major joints for a count of ten. Finally, the therapist may also suggest the Oral Tactile Technique, or OTT. This technique involves using a finger to swipe along the inside of the child's mouth. This has been found to help with some children who have an issue with what is known as oral defensiveness. If your child is adverse to new foods because of their texture, or has a severe aversion to having their teeth brushed, they may have an issue with oral defensiveness.

If you think that your child would benefit from this form of therapy, it is important to seek guidance from an Occupational Therapist. Performing the therapy in a manner other than taught by a trained professional can be, at best, useless and could possibly do more harm then good.




Visit [http://www.SensorySmartKid.com] for more information and support regarding Sensory Integration, PDD and other Autism Spectrum Disorders.





This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

2012年8月19日 星期日

Alternative For ADHD - Discover the Truth About Sensory Integration Therapy and ADHD


Probably the most famous treatment for persons with ADHD is pharmacotherapy. Why is that, you may ask. Well, that is because when children, let us say your child is diagnosed with a condition, the first professional that you may think can help you are doctors. Yes, that is correct; they can help you. However, you should know that the help they can provide you is limited. They may know a lot about ADHD but the treatment approach that they are trained to perform is limited into prescription of medicines. However, they know the right persons who can attend more to your child's problem that is why there are things like referrals.

Now, let us first have an overview of ADHD. It is a neurobiologic disorder that has three hallmark features; that is inattention, impulsivity and hyperactivity. Now, here comes the tricky part. Most of you may think that these symptoms are purely behavioral, but you are wrong. There is actually what professionals call the sensory integration dysfunction. Now, what exactly is sensory integration? It is the ability to process, organize and synthesize sensory information that a person may receive from the body and/or the environment. Most of the time, it is the children with Autism that usually have sensory integration dysfunctions. However, there have been cases of children with ADHD who also have Sensory integration (SI) problems. These SI problems may manifest either the child will withdraw or seek a particular sensation. In your child with ADHD, his or her hyperactivity may actually be a sign that your child is seeking a particular sensation. Therefore, treatment approaches like behavior therapy would not work in your child, thus the Sensory Integration Therapy. This is an alternative for ADHD treatment which makes use of sensations and will manage your child's behavior through giving your child the amount of sensation that your child is seeking. After this has been achieved, there will be an immediate and significant change in the behavior of the child. Your child may be more attentive in the tasks assigned to him or her. Although there are studies proving its effectiveness, for some, these studies are still insufficient. Therefore, there still are debates regarding this intervention approach. However, these are still used in clinics but those who perform it do it carefully.

This information only means that there are still a lot to learn about ADHD and that the problems that your child may have may not be what you expect. So if your child is not responding to a treatment approach, this may mean that this is not your child needs, and so you may study more about the condition and ask question to expand your knowledge.




Puneet writes a blog about ADHD and helps ADHD sufferers to find new treatments in naturopathy and alternative medicine. If you are looking for a well-researched herbal remedy for ADHD, you may read more





This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

2012年7月9日 星期一

What You Need to Know About Autism Spectrum Disorder - FAQs


What is Autism Spectrum Disorder?

Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) is a disability that causes a hindrance to the patient's mental development. This is usually manifested by difficulties interacting socially and by delayed faculty developments. Autism can manifest as early as age three.

What are the different types of Autism?

There are five types of Autism Spectrum Disorder namely:

Asperger's syndrome - This is the mildest form of autism disorder. This is characterized by severe obsession about a single object or topic. When they become obsessive about it, they will try to study everything related to that object and they will not stop discussing it for a long time. Males are more likely to be affected by this syndrome.

Rett syndrome - It is a neurodevelopmental disorder in the brain that affects not only the social skills of the person but also his physical traits. This is characterized as having small hands and feet, decreased rate of growth and repeated body movements. People who are affected by this syndrome have no verbal skills.

Pervasive developmental disorder - This Autism Spectrum disorder is the middle ground between those diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome and Autistic disorder. It means that the person affected is not as good as a person with Asperger's syndrome but not as bad a person diagnosed with Autistic disorder.

Childhood disintegrative disorder - This disorder is very rare. It is characterized by normal to stopped development. A person with childhood disintegrative disorder develops on a normal pace at early age and stops at one point. An abrupt stop in the development makes them lose most areas of function.

Autistic disorder - This includes mental retardation and seizures. People with autistic disorder shows signs of repetitive movements and language malfunction.

What causes Autism Spectrum Disorder?

Some types of Autism Spectrum Disorder are considered as 'idiopathic' or originating from an unknown cause. Though a lot of factors relates to autism such as genes, vaccines and parenting, they are just correlation which does not actually pinpoint a cause.

Can Autism be passed on?

Though genetic play a big part in autism disorders, there no scientific proof to validate that claim. However, it is safe to assume that greater risks of Autism Spectrum Disorders can be expected from families with such history.

Does poor nutrition affect Autism?

Yes, poor nutrition definitely affects Autism. However, the same can be said about healthy people. Nutrition affects all aspects of health, whether you are in peak form or not. But poor nutrition does not cause autism.

What are the treatments available for people with Autism Spectrum Disorder?

1. Behavioral training - This type of training induces self help and positive reinforcements. This training includes Special Education and sensory integration.

2. Different therapies - Depending on the type of Autism Spectrum Disorder, the person affected may be needing physical, speech and occupational therapy. It targets different function areas to work properly.

3. Parental Support and training - This is particularly important when it comes to treating Autism disorders. Parents need to employ special care to make their child feel understood and cared for.

4. Medicines - This is used to tone down some symptoms of autism like stress, anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorders.




If you are looking for information about autism spectrum disorder, we can help you out in understanding this concept. To learn more information about this disorder, this website can help you out on your concern.





This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

2012年7月1日 星期日

Lies About Special Education Eligibility and 6 Ways to Overcome Them!


Are you the parent of a young child who thinks that their child may have autism? Do you think your child's reading difficulty may be related to a learning disability? Have you tried to have your child tested for special education eligibility and your school district said no? This article will discuss lies that are related to special education eligibility and 6 ways to overcome the lies for the good of your child.

Lies associated with special education eligibility:

1. We will test your child but we get to pick the tests, and the areas to be tested. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) states that parents must give informed consent for testing (and to give informed consent the parent must know areas to be tested and what tests are going to be performed), and that the child is to be tested in all areas of suspected disability.

2. You must sign this medical release form so that we can get your child's medical records before we do the testing. Medical records are private under HIPPA and school districts do not have a right to them.

3. Your child is on the waiting list for testing, be patient. IDEA does not allow waiting lists for testing or special education services. Testing must be complete within 60 days after the consent form is signed.

4. Your child has a disability but it does not affect their education. To be eligible for special education a child must have two things: A. A disability, and B. Educational needs; that is it, nothing else.

5. Your child does not have autism but has an emotional/behavior disorder. Many school districts state that a child does not have a particular disability; without even testing them.

6. We do not do those type of tests for initial eligibility. Remember that IDEA requires a child to be tested in all areas of suspected disability.

7. We met and decided that your child does not meet the criteria for special education. Parents must be included in all meetings and receive a 10 day written notice for all meetings for their child. Also, parents are equal members in the team that make any decision about their child, including eligibility for special education.

6 Things that you can do to overcome these lies:

1. Go to wrightslaw.com and educate yourself about the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Then you will know when you are being lied to.

2. Anytime special education personnel tell you that they can do something under the law; ask them for written proof of state or federal special education law that says that they can do it. Do this in writing, so that they cannot ignore you.

3. Try and find an advocate or another parent that is familiar with special education to help you navigate the system.

4. Put in writing all areas that you believe need to be tested, and the reason why. Recommend specific tests, if you are familiar with them. For example: If you think your child has Sensory Integration Processing Disorder (SIPT) ask for an Occupational Therapist that is SIPT qualified to test them.

5. Ask for copies of all of the written reports (includes testing and interpretation of testing), 10 days before the eligibility meeting, and ask an advocate or another parent to help you interpret the test results. That way you will understand what the test results say before the meeting.

6. If you are concerned that your child may have autism, ask for a Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS). When you request the Cars, tell the school that you will expect them to send you the parent survey for the CARS.

By using these 6 tips you will be prepared for any lies told by special education personnel. Stand up to them because your child is depending on you!




JoAnn Collins is the author of Disability Deception; Lies Disability Educators Tell and How Parents Can Beat Them at Their Own Game! As an educational advocate for over 15 years she has successfully helped hundreds of parents navigate the special education system. For more advocacy skills and information on special education go to: http://www.disabilitydeception.com





This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

2012年5月31日 星期四

Alternative For ADHD - Discover the Truth About Sensory Integration Therapy and ADHD


Probably the most famous treatment for persons with ADHD is pharmacotherapy. Why is that, you may ask. Well, that is because when children, let us say your child is diagnosed with a condition, the first professional that you may think can help you are doctors. Yes, that is correct; they can help you. However, you should know that the help they can provide you is limited. They may know a lot about ADHD but the treatment approach that they are trained to perform is limited into prescription of medicines. However, they know the right persons who can attend more to your child's problem that is why there are things like referrals.

Now, let us first have an overview of ADHD. It is a neurobiologic disorder that has three hallmark features; that is inattention, impulsivity and hyperactivity. Now, here comes the tricky part. Most of you may think that these symptoms are purely behavioral, but you are wrong. There is actually what professionals call the sensory integration dysfunction. Now, what exactly is sensory integration? It is the ability to process, organize and synthesize sensory information that a person may receive from the body and/or the environment. Most of the time, it is the children with Autism that usually have sensory integration dysfunctions. However, there have been cases of children with ADHD who also have Sensory integration (SI) problems. These SI problems may manifest either the child will withdraw or seek a particular sensation. In your child with ADHD, his or her hyperactivity may actually be a sign that your child is seeking a particular sensation. Therefore, treatment approaches like behavior therapy would not work in your child, thus the Sensory Integration Therapy. This is an alternative for ADHD treatment which makes use of sensations and will manage your child's behavior through giving your child the amount of sensation that your child is seeking. After this has been achieved, there will be an immediate and significant change in the behavior of the child. Your child may be more attentive in the tasks assigned to him or her. Although there are studies proving its effectiveness, for some, these studies are still insufficient. Therefore, there still are debates regarding this intervention approach. However, these are still used in clinics but those who perform it do it carefully.

This information only means that there are still a lot to learn about ADHD and that the problems that your child may have may not be what you expect. So if your child is not responding to a treatment approach, this may mean that this is not your child needs, and so you may study more about the condition and ask question to expand your knowledge.




Puneet writes a blog about ADHD and helps ADHD sufferers to find new treatments in naturopathy and alternative medicine. If you are looking for a well-researched herbal remedy for ADHD, you may read more





This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

2012年5月11日 星期五

Let's Talk About Autism


Autism is much more common than most people think. Autism is NOT caused by a person's upbringing, their social circumstances and is NOT the fault of the individual with the condition. It is a developmental disorder that some people are born with--it's NOT something you can catch or pass along to someone else.

Autism is usually diagnosed at a very young age, when a child is l/2 to 4 years old. It is not treated with surgery or medicine (although some people with autism may take medicine to improve certain symptoms, like aggressive behavior or attention problems).

This tragic disorder called autism causes many parents to spend extra time and energy to raise an autistic child and they should be given kudos for this, not criticism. Autism is a brain disorder that affects a person's ability to communicate, to reason, and to interact with others. Just imagine, if you will, how this would affect your own life!

Boys are four times more likely to have autism than girls, and it is found equally in all walks of life and in all populations around the world. Typically it appears by age 3, though diagnosis and interventions can and should begin earlier.

Not everybody with autism has the exact same symptoms, which makes it even more difficult to detect at an early age. There are no medical tests to determine whether someone has autism, although doctors may run various tests to rule out other causes of symptoms. Because their brains process information differently, teens with autism may not act like other people you know and the severity of the symptoms vary from person to person.

Some children have only mild symptoms and grow up to live independently, while others have more severe symptoms and need supported living and working environments throughout their lives. Some children who have just a few of these symptoms may appear to be developing within typical expectations, although somewhat more slowly. One of the many symptoms is sensory integration dysfunction. (This has been the primary symptom my grandson developed and still experiences mild symptoms.) He has lately been diagnosed with ADHD also.

We had no idea he had no sense of smell until he began walking up to individuals and sniffing their clothes and practically frightened them to death as they perceived he was going to bite them. Speech, language and problems writing also can develop.

Learning that a child has autism can be wrenching for parents. Feeling like they've lost the child they once knew, parents often move through the emotional stages of grief, denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance. It is the acceptance stage that I want to talk about today.

I want you to understand what a child is going through and how important it is that he/she has your love and acceptance. Now, you are thinking that, of course, we love our child! I want to stress here just how crucial it is for your child to hear the words "I love you no matter what" several times a day. This soon becomes embedded and they are able to move forward, knowing that their parents appreciate them for who they are. Regardless of what else you do as caregivers, LOVE is primary. This quality also is crucial in everyone that works with your child, such as, teachers, doctors, therapists and others who enter their environment.




Please visit my Blog at

http://aboutautismandmore.blogspot.com

Meredith is a retired small business owner and has enjoyed retirement for a few years. She recently came out of retirement to develop an on-line affiliate business. She will be utilizing the approaches she has learned to earn money for a special project to help restore an old historical cemetery that is in ruin. The Data Connection will provide the monetary funds needed for this worthy endeavor.

On-line affiliate marketing fits right into her stay-at-home lifestyle. While she enjoys writing, the rest of the business will not come so easy. The article marketing concept is strongly emphasized in the approach she is taking. She believes strongly that this will result in establishing a business with a firm foundation. She invites you to visit her Blog at: http://aboutautismandmore.blogspot.com





This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

2012年5月5日 星期六

Confused About Early Childhood Development Milestones?


Early childhood development is the foundation to everyone's life. Nevertheless, each child has their own personalities and ways about them as well as similarities such as meeting developmental milestones in a relatively similar time in their lives from talking to walking.

Doctors tell parents not to compare their child with other children according to their early childhood development. One child might start walking at nine months and one might be 14 months. Both could be healthy yet have their own time schedule. Often children are around a year old when they are walking or at least starting to walk.

Taking notice of early childhood development is important though. If a child continues to miss milestones and aren't meeting early childhood development there could be a problem. This is why doctors are parents observe these things. Talking, crawling and other important elements are important parts of development. Doctors will monitor a child. It could be the child is not sitting up on schedule, but they are doing other things related to gross motor skills, such as crawling and rolling over. It could be a sign of something or it could be the child is just skipping that part of development then it will come in eventually. Otherwise a child continues to be monitored and eventually tested to ensure they don't have a disorder or condition that needs treatment.

Another part of early childhood development is fine motor skills. This includes the movements of their fingers, toes, lips, tongue and hands as well as their feet. Sometimes it might be something small that a parent doesn't even notice could mean anything. An example is walking on their tiptoes. Doing this a little is normal, but constant tiptoe walking could indicate an issue. Giving complete answers to every question presented by the doctor and the nurse will help determine if there are any early childhood development disorders that need immediate attention.

Any child with a neurological disorder or sensory integration dysfunction can hear properly but process the information differently leading to confusion. Such children are hypersensitive or insensitive to any of the five senses or with all of the senses. Most of the early childhood development disorders are diagnosed by an occupational therapist, especially sensory processing disorder.

Speech skills and articulation are also parts of early childhood development. Your baby won't be able to answer questions with words as they are still learning about speech. Parents are suggested to talk to their baby. They will learn to answer you even if it is only in babbles now then it will continue to actually words when getting older. A baby can articulate, even if they are not making words they are starting to make clear sounds, which leads to speech. Once they understand the proper sounds by listening they will be learning the correct pronunciation of every word. However, each child is different and may reach the required milestones within a flexible range of 3-4 months and sometimes that is what makes the diagnosis about late development so difficult.




For the latest videos and training information on child development as well as books and curricula please visit www.childdevelopmentmedia.com .





This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

2012年1月12日 星期四

Therapy Swings - Helping Kids Regulate and Learn About Their Bodies


As moms and teachers everywhere know, kids have a lot of energy. They need to move and play to get that energy out. This is true of all kids but this necessity is taken to a whole different level when dealing with kids with special needs. Children with ADD, ADHD, Sensory Integration issues, and Autism all benefit from daily movement and stimulation. Although each kid is different, occupational therapists often use various kinds of swings and swinging techniques to help these kids regulate their bodies. Swinging therapy helps kids focus and increases a child's body awareness.

Occupational therapy is a key component to a successful program for kids with Sensory Integration Dysfunction (SID). Swings of various kinds are used to help regulate the vestibular system and some can provide proprioception for calming kids down and increasing body awareness. Often times parents find carrying over occupational therapy techniques into the home a daunting task. Many parents turn their family rooms in an OT clinic but not everyone has the skills or ability to hang swings from their ceilings or cover their floors in mats. The best solution for most families is an indoor swing that has a variety of attachments and a solid support bar.

To create the perfect indoor swinging area for your child you should invest in attachments that best meet their individual needs. Here is a list of components that might benefit your child if they suffer from ADHD, Autism, or a Sensory Integration Disorder. All of the products listed here are by Theraplay Toys (also known as Play Away). We have found this product to be the most convenient, affordable, and sturdy indoor swing system available.


Support Bar - a solid support bar is an essential part of a good indoor swinging system. This well constructed support bar is designed to fit in any doorway 29-36 inches. If you are placing it in a doorway temporarily or just want the flexibility of putting it up and taking it down easily it can be soft mounted without any screws. With this type of installation the support bar can hold up to 175 lbs, if you plan on leaving it the doorway for long periods of time or permanently you can hard mount it. The hardware required to hard mount the support bar is included and it will hold up to 300 lbs so parent (or therapist) and child can ride together.


Net Swing - this is one of my personal favorites. This swing envelops your whole body as you swing back and forth. It not only stimulates the vestibular system it provide ample proprioception (pressure to the joints) so it is calming and comforting for kids who seek that type of pressure. Many kids love to relax in the net swing but it is also a good place for them to read a book or do homework with clipboard or hard surface on the lap. For kids that are praxis or suffer from other types of speech disorders doing speech therapy exercises while in a net swing can keep them alert and motivated for a longer period of time.


3 in 1 Platform Swing - this is one of the most innovative therapy swings I have every seen used in occupational therapy. The platform wing has long been a staple of sensory integration therapy. When Jean Ayres invented the therapy she used platform swings to help regulate a child's vestibular system. She added that varying types the types of movement and planes of the body will increase body awareness. On a Platform swing a child can stand, sit, and lie on their back or stomach. This innovative 3 in 1 system can also be removed from the swing and placed on the floor. It has a rotational devise on the underside of the platform that allows the platform to turn endless in circles. This can help kids who cannot tolerate rotary movement learn to do it in a safe manner. Additionally many kids in the Autism spectrum have a deep need to spin and this gives them a safe and appropriate way to get that movement.


One Seated Glider - as with all swing the glider stimulates the vestibular system but it also does so much more. It allows for proprioception as kids push with their feet to make the glider move forward and back. The full body extension also helps with postural stability by adding strength at the core.

These are just a few of the great attachments that can be used for sensory integration therapy in the home. Ironically the product was developed by a Dad of a neuro-typical child because they lived in an apartment in a wet weather climate. Basically his kids were driving him crazy. Then a few parents of Autistic children found out about this amazing product and it has helped so many families. One of my dear friends has had this hanging in her kitchen doorway for the last 5 years. Everyone is the house sits in it from time to time but her Autistic daughter uses it daily to self regulate. It keeps her ticks to a minimum and instead of rocking or picking at her fingers she sits in her net swing. The indoor swing set has given her a tool to self regulate in an appropriate way. It makes her feel good - not just in the calm physical sense - it makes her feel good about herself and increases her self esteem because she feels more in control of her own body.

As a mother of a child with sensory issues and a friend to so many other moms in the same situation I cannot say enough about having an indoor swing therapy set. It is an essential part of a well rounded sensory diet and the perfect arsenal in combating sensory integration disorder.




Alycia Shapiro is Vice President in charge of product development for SensoryEdge. She has advocated for special needs children in order to get the therapy services they need. Many parents either have difficulty getting the proper services or might not know these services are available. You can visit her websites to learn more about educational Toys and Play Therapy.





This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

2011年12月9日 星期五

What You Should Know About Tactile Defensiveness and Other Tactile System Disorders


One of the most common sensory disorders is Tactile Defensiveness.  With this condition, a child is over or "hyper" sensitive to different types of touch.  Light touch is one of the most upsetting types of touch to a child with SI dysfunction.  Depending on the intensity of their dysfunction, they may become anywhere from mildly annoyed to completely freaked out by having someone lightly touch them.  A gentle kiss on the cheek may feel like they are having coarse sandpaper rubbed on their face.  They also may dislike feeling sand, grass or dirt on their skin.  Getting dressed may be a struggle as different clothing textures, tags and seams may cause them great discomfort.

Often children with Tactile Defensiveness or touch hypersensitivity will avoid, become fearful of, or are irritated by:


The wind blowing on bare skin
Light touch
Vibrating toys
Barefoot touching of carpet, sand and/or grass
Clothing textures
Tags and seams on clothing
Touching of "messy" things
Changes in temperature

On the other side of the spectrum is a child with Tactile Undersensitivity or "Hyposensitivity".   A tactile undersensitive child need a lot of input to get the touch information he or she needs.  They will often seek out tactile input on their own in sometimes unsafe ways.

A child who is undersensitive to touch may have these difficulties:



Emotional and social  - Craves touch to the extent that friends, family, and even strangers become annoyed and upset.  This could be the baby who constantly needs to be held, or the toddler who is clingy, craving continual physical contact.

Sensory exploration - Makes excessive physical contact with people and objects. Touching other children too forcefully or inappropriately (such as biting or hitting).

Motor - To get more tactile sensory information, he may need to use more of his skin surface to feel he's made contact with an object.

Grooming and dressing - May choose clothing that is, in your opinion, unacceptably tight or loose. He may brush his teeth so hard that he injures his gums.

If you child shows signs of Tactile Defensiveness or Undersensitivity, it's important to get a proper screening by an Occupational Therapist, pediatrician or other licensed professional.  This sensory assessment will help you in seeking out the proper course of treatment and therapy.




Visit [http://www.SensorySmartKid.com] for more information and support regarding Sensory Integration, PDD and other Autism Spectrum Disorders.





This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

2011年12月8日 星期四

Tactile Defensiveness - The Facts About the Wilbarger Brushing Protocol


Many children with Sensory Integration Disorders exhibit symptoms of tactile defensiveness. In layman's terms this simply means that they have hypersensitivity to touch and/or tactile input. This in turn may cause:

-Difficulty transitioning between activities

-Lack of attention or focus

-A fear or resistance to being touched

Your child may benefit from what is commonly known to most parents as "Brushing Therapy". It is known in Occupational Therapy circles as The Wilbarger Deep Pressure and Proprioceptive Technique (DPPT) & Oral Tactile Technique (OTT). It was developed by Dr. Patricia Wilbarger, MEd, OTR, FAOTA, an occupational therapist and clinical psychologist that has been working with sensory processing theories for over 30 years.

When first introduced to this, many parents are a bit skeptical. How can "brushing" my child help them with their sensory integration issues and tactile defensiveness? The theory behind it is that our skin is the human body's largest sensory organ, and therefore it is in constant contact with our nervous system; relaying information that allows us to interact effectively with our environment. Often times, the inability for the human body to process sensory input effectively can cause motor skill delays, tactile defensiveness, or social and emotional difficulties. Brushing therapy seeks to use this connection between the skin and the nervous system to assist kids who may be having difficulty organizing sensory information properly.

It is thankfully, quite simple to implement. The first step in the therapy involves using a soft, plastic, surgical brush which is run over the child's skin, using a very firm pressure, starting at the arms and working down to the feet. The chest and stomach area are always avoided as these are sensitive areas that can cause adverse reactions. There can be some drama at first, until the child becomes accustomed to the therapy, but most children find it pleasurable after a few sessions and may even ask for it when they are feeling "off". Along with the brushing, most practitioners will also prescribe joint compressions. In this phase of the treatment, the therapist or a parent trained by a therapist provides gentle compressions of each of the child's major joints for a count of ten. Finally, the therapist may also suggest the Oral Tactile Technique, or OTT. This technique involves using a finger to swipe along the inside of the child's mouth. This has been found to help with some children who have an issue with what is known as oral defensiveness. If your child is adverse to new foods because of their texture, or has a severe aversion to having their teeth brushed, they may have an issue with oral defensiveness.

If you think that your child would benefit from this form of therapy, it is important to seek guidance from an Occupational Therapist. Performing the therapy in a manner other than taught by a trained professional can be, at best, useless and could possibly do more harm then good.




Visit [http://www.SensorySmartKid.com] for more information and support regarding Sensory Integration, PDD and other Autism Spectrum Disorders.





This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

2011年11月26日 星期六

Alternative For ADHD - Discover the Truth About Sensory Integration Therapy and ADHD


Probably the most famous treatment for persons with ADHD is pharmacotherapy. Why is that, you may ask. Well, that is because when children, let us say your child is diagnosed with a condition, the first professional that you may think can help you are doctors. Yes, that is correct; they can help you. However, you should know that the help they can provide you is limited. They may know a lot about ADHD but the treatment approach that they are trained to perform is limited into prescription of medicines. However, they know the right persons who can attend more to your child's problem that is why there are things like referrals.

Now, let us first have an overview of ADHD. It is a neurobiologic disorder that has three hallmark features; that is inattention, impulsivity and hyperactivity. Now, here comes the tricky part. Most of you may think that these symptoms are purely behavioral, but you are wrong. There is actually what professionals call the sensory integration dysfunction. Now, what exactly is sensory integration? It is the ability to process, organize and synthesize sensory information that a person may receive from the body and/or the environment. Most of the time, it is the children with Autism that usually have sensory integration dysfunctions. However, there have been cases of children with ADHD who also have Sensory integration (SI) problems. These SI problems may manifest either the child will withdraw or seek a particular sensation. In your child with ADHD, his or her hyperactivity may actually be a sign that your child is seeking a particular sensation. Therefore, treatment approaches like behavior therapy would not work in your child, thus the Sensory Integration Therapy. This is an alternative for ADHD treatment which makes use of sensations and will manage your child's behavior through giving your child the amount of sensation that your child is seeking. After this has been achieved, there will be an immediate and significant change in the behavior of the child. Your child may be more attentive in the tasks assigned to him or her. Although there are studies proving its effectiveness, for some, these studies are still insufficient. Therefore, there still are debates regarding this intervention approach. However, these are still used in clinics but those who perform it do it carefully.

This information only means that there are still a lot to learn about ADHD and that the problems that your child may have may not be what you expect. So if your child is not responding to a treatment approach, this may mean that this is not your child needs, and so you may study more about the condition and ask question to expand your knowledge.




Puneet writes a blog about ADHD and helps ADHD sufferers to find new treatments in naturopathy and alternative medicine. If you are looking for a well-researched herbal remedy for ADHD, you may read more





This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

較舊的文章 首頁