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Featured Article
Sensory Integration Disorder
Dr. Kenny Handelman
ADD/ADHD and Sensory Integration Disorder: More common than you think
It's not as unusual as you may first think, really. As a parent with a child who has ADD/ADHD or an adult who deal with it daily, you may already recognize some of the symptoms. What am I talking about? Sensory Integration Disorder.
The chances are good that you haven't heard of it, yet. Simply put, sensory integration disorder is the inability of the brain to fully utilize the information it gathers through all the senses in any organized or effective way.
You may recognize some of the symptoms because they're so similar to the ones associated with ADD/ADHD. The list of symptoms is rather long:
* Short attention span * Sensitivity to sounds * Unusually sensitive to smells * Fascination with lights * Walking on the toes * Coordination problems * Indifference to pain or temperature * Refusal to wear certain types of clothing (your child may want to wear long sleeved shirts all year round so his skin isn't showing) * Difficulty with accepting changes * Self-injury or aggression * Avoiding physical contact with people * Strongly reacts to any stimulation on the face, hands or the feet. * Dislike and avoidance of grooming (brushing his teeth, washing his face, having his hair brushed or cut. * Either a very high, or a very low activity level. * An very high level of awareness of background noises * Engaging in the habit of spinning items or taking items apart
When the brain isn't interpreting incoming information properly, then the individual just can't create what we would call a "proper"? impression with the combined use of their eyes, ears, sense of balance and the other ways we grasp the world. And while you may see these reactions as "misbehavior" the person afflicted with this problem is bordering between fear and terror.
Imagine living in a world in which some of the smallest sounds, by our standards, are startling loud . . . not being able to dismiss or get beyond the background noise at a restaurant (or worse yet for your child, in a classroom!) . . . not being able to be comfortable when your feet aren't touching the ground or floor.
Everyday activities can become quite traumatic.
But the oversensitivity of stimuli is just one way sensory integration disorder may manifest itself. Your child may show what you would consider an apathetic response to extreme hot or cold. He may not be engaged in activities as you think he should. Many individuals with this disorder actually display not hyperactivity - but an avoidance of activity.
To read the rest of the article visit my website: DealingWithLearningDisorders.com
Discussion Group
In our “Discussion Board” we talk about many interesting topics every week.
Here we find a private place to share with others, make friends, and ask questions of the Featured Experts on the site.
This week some of the topics we covered were:
A teleseminar geared towards helping you understand how important setting goals is to someone with ADD/ADHD.
Getting healthy. Ways that we can change our diets and lifestyle to make a difference.
Special camps that our children enjoy and how we feel about them being gone and under someone else's care.
We also talked about how some of our kids have a heightened sense of smell.
Come join us and share your experiences in our forums. You can become a member for only $1.
Tip of the Week
Writing is often a struggle for children with learning disorders.
Here are some tips to help writing become easier for your child.
1: Have realistic expectations of the child's handwriting and neatness.
If you expect perfection you and your child will become disappointed
and discouraged.
2: Do not demand speed.
Be patient and let them write as slowly as it takes for them to form
good letters and correct sentences.
3: Use alternative testing methods for the child, i.e., having the
student answer orally, highlighting instead of writing answers.
4: Encourage letter writing to friends, relatives. Have decorative
paper or stationary with their name on it to help attract the children.
5: Keep a daily journal with your child. Have them write feelings
or happenings to you and you write back the next day. Let them know
that this is a special project between the two of you (also helps to
promote relationships!!).
6: Have the child relate daily activities. Encourage complete
sentences if possible.
Be an encouragement and your child may just learn to love to write!
Blessings to you all.
Robin
www.DealingWithLearningDisorders.com
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