These are the things I've noticed since he's started the remedy-
He's now more OK with ruffling his hair. The chiropractor adjusted him today and then tickled him on the back of the neck and he actually laughed!
He used to swing, and swing, and swing. Now he moves on to another activity.
Showing posts with label Sensory Processing Disorder. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sensory Processing Disorder. Show all posts
Friday, June 13, 2008
More about SPD
I feel silly writing this, but since Katie said I described her tactile sensory issues as a kid and now adult to a tee, I thought I might just add the part that I found in the book about myself. As a kid I had vestibular and proprioceptive processing issues.
I was overresponsive to vestibluar sensations, I liked having my feet on the ground and hated rides that spun around fast. I never understood why amusement parks scared the daylights out of me. It's called gravitational insecurity- the vestibular system (inner ear) tells us where we are in relation to the ground. Children without the problem are free to experiment with gravity, jumping, swinging, and somersaulting... a child with insecurity in this area his abnormal distress when her feet leave the ground, due to the primal fear of falling. Basically the brain overreacts to changes in gravity. A kid with this probelm tends to be inflexible and controlling, can feel vulnerable in a crowd or group, and be awkward and uncoordinated at playground games. Eric used to make so much fun of me because my shins were always bruised from running into things. Swinging on a vine out over the water was fun for other kids, but terrifying for me. The fear of falling on the way out or back prevented me from doing it. Ice skating was a nightmare, too scary to master. And I never had the confidence to do those little tricks on roller skates. Thank god roller blades weren't around when I was a kid.
I was overresponsive to vestibluar sensations, I liked having my feet on the ground and hated rides that spun around fast. I never understood why amusement parks scared the daylights out of me. It's called gravitational insecurity- the vestibular system (inner ear) tells us where we are in relation to the ground. Children without the problem are free to experiment with gravity, jumping, swinging, and somersaulting... a child with insecurity in this area his abnormal distress when her feet leave the ground, due to the primal fear of falling. Basically the brain overreacts to changes in gravity. A kid with this probelm tends to be inflexible and controlling, can feel vulnerable in a crowd or group, and be awkward and uncoordinated at playground games. Eric used to make so much fun of me because my shins were always bruised from running into things. Swinging on a vine out over the water was fun for other kids, but terrifying for me. The fear of falling on the way out or back prevented me from doing it. Ice skating was a nightmare, too scary to master. And I never had the confidence to do those little tricks on roller skates. Thank god roller blades weren't around when I was a kid.
Crash Course in Sensory Processing Disorder
This is even more interesting. I'm going to try to simplify it...
There are external senses, sight, smell, hearing, taste, and touch. There are also internal senses, interoception (feedback from internal organs), vestibular sense (balance from the inner ear), and proprioception, feedback from muscles and joints. The brain takes in feedback and input from each of these senses, and responds appropriately. In kids with SPD, there is a disconnect somewhere that prevents them from responding appropriately. Problems can be as follows:
The brain may not receive or detect sensory input
The brain may not organize and integrate sensory messages correctly
The brain may send out inaccurate messages to direct the child's actions- he may have problems "looking, listening, paying attention, interacting with people and objects, processing new information, remembering, and learning".
There are external senses, sight, smell, hearing, taste, and touch. There are also internal senses, interoception (feedback from internal organs), vestibular sense (balance from the inner ear), and proprioception, feedback from muscles and joints. The brain takes in feedback and input from each of these senses, and responds appropriately. In kids with SPD, there is a disconnect somewhere that prevents them from responding appropriately. Problems can be as follows:
The brain may not receive or detect sensory input
The brain may not organize and integrate sensory messages correctly
The brain may send out inaccurate messages to direct the child's actions- he may have problems "looking, listening, paying attention, interacting with people and objects, processing new information, remembering, and learning".
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