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HOW DO SENSORY INTEGRATION PROBLEMS PLAY OUT? In the book, The Out-of-Sync Child: Recognizing and Coping with Sensory Integration Dysfunction, the stories of three out-of-sync children and the parents struggling to raise them are presented along with lists of common symptoms, associated problems, and possible causes. Also included are samples of questionnaires that professionals give to parents and teachers when a child is suspected of having some dysfunction. The information in the book will help you determine whether your child is affected by sensory integration dysfunction. If your child has a significant problem, the information might strike you like a bolt of lightning. You may instantly recognize the signs and be relieved to have some answers, at last. Even if your child has a mild problem, you can use this information to gain insight into his or her puzzling behavior. Whether SI dysfunction is major or minor, your out-of-sync child needs understanding and help, for no child can overcome the obstacles alone. TOMMY HAS TACTILE DYSFUNCTION Tommy is the only son of two adoring parents. They waited a long time before having a child and rejoiced in his arrival. But when they finally got him, they realized that they got a handful! The day after he was born, his parents were told that he could not stay in the hospital nursery because his wailing disturbed the other infants. Once he arrived home, he rarely slept through the night. Although he nursed well and grew rapidly, he adamantly rejected the introduction of solid food and vigorously resisted being weaned. He was a very fussy baby. Today, Tommy is a fussy three-year-old. He is crying because his shoes are two tight, his socks are too lumpy. He yanks them off and hurls them away. To prevent a tantrum, his mother lets him wear bedroom slippers to school. She has learned that if it isn't shoes and socks that bother him, it's inevitably something else that will trip him up during the day. His parents bend over backwards, but pleasing their healthy, attractive child is a challenge. Everything makes him miserable. He hates the playground, the beach, and the bathtub. He refuses to wear hats or mittens, even on the coldest days. Getting him to eat is a trial. Arranging play dates with other children is a nightmare. Going to the barber shop is a disaster. Wherever they go, people turn away -- or stare. His teacher reports that he avoids finger painting and other messy activities. He fidgets at story time and doesn't pay attention. He lashes out at his classmates for no apparent reason. He is, however, the world's best block builder -- as long as he isn't crowded. Tommy's pediatrician tells his parents nothing is wrong with him, so they should stop worrying and just let him grow. His grandparents say he's spoiled and needs stricter disipline. Friends suggest going on a vacation without him. Tommy's parents wonder if yielding to his whims is wise, but it's the only method that works. They are exhausted, frustrated, and stressed. They can't understand what makes him tick. VICKI HAS VESTIBULAR DYSFUNCTION Vicki, a first grader, is not a graceful little girl. She moves awkwardly, has poor balance, and falls frequently. She also fatigues easily and sighs, "I'm too pooped to do anything." A family outing or trip to the playground quickly wears her out. However, she wants to be a ballerina when she grows up. Almost every day, she lies in front of the TV to watch her favorite video, "The Nutcracker." She was excited about taking ballet lessons and loved her purple tutu, but once she got to dancing school, she wouldn't leave her mother's side. Because of her poor coordination and lethargy, her parents find that getting her out of bed, asking her to put on her coat, or maneuvering her into the car is an ordeal. She takes a long time to carry out simple, familiar movements. Vicki's father and mother disagree on the best way to handle her. Her father tends to pick her up and put her places -- in bed, in the car, on a chair. He also dresses her, because she was trouble orienting her limbs to get into her clothers. He refers to her as his "little noodle." Vicki's mother, on the other hand, believes Vicki will never learn to move with confidence, much less become a ballerina, if she doesn't learn independence. Her mother says, "I think she'd stay in one spot all day if I let her." Although Vicki lacks "oomph," she constantly fidgets. Even when she's pooped, her knees bounce, her feet tap, her eyes dart, her fingers fiddle with her hair. She seems to crave certain kinds of movement, tilting to and fro in a rocking chair, swinging upside down, shaking her head from side to side, and bumping into furniture. Her teacher says, "Vicki has difficulty socializing and getting involved in classroom activities. It's like her batteries are low. She needs a jump start just to get going. Then she loses interest and gives up easily." Vicki's behavior mystifies her parents. Their experiences with their two other children have not prepared them to deal with her unusual behavior. PETER HAS PROPRIOCEPTIVE DYSFUNCTION Peter is an extremely shy nine-year-old who dislikes school. Sometimes he asks to stay home, and his parents let him. He says he doesn't want to go to school because he's no good at anything, and everyone laughs at him. Peter's teacher notes that he has a long attention span and an above-average reading ability. She wonders why a child with so much information to share becomes paralyzed when he has to write a paper. She says he needs to get organized so he can pay more attention to his assignments and do neater work. His parents wonder why he is a misfit at school, because he has always fit right into their sedate life-style. Peter is a modest child, rarely seeking attention. He can spend hours studying his baseball cards, completely self-absorbed. Peter's parents think he is the perfect child. They observe that he is unlike other kids, who are loud and mischievous. He never makes trouble, although he is somewhat clumsy, often dropping dishes and breaking toys that require simple manipulation. But then, his parents are somewhat clumsy too, and have come to believe that physical prowess is unimportant. They are glad that their son is quiet, well mannered and bookish, just like them. Something, however, is getting in his way. His parents have no idea what. |
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