Sensory Integration Dysfunction

My son was diagnosed with sensory integration dysfunction many years back, lack of coordination, loved to spin in circles threw self on floor, fell out of desk at school, couldn't wear shoes on his feet, messy handwriting (I think he'll be a Doctor :)) When he was small everything went into his mouth.  He is incredibly intelligent....beyond his years as he learned to read at 4 years of age.  There is only one thing that he is struggling with, at 11 years of age...he still cries over the little things.  I have accepted this as the way he is, but my son wants help to stop this reaction, because he is now getting teased in school about it.  Do you have any suggestions that he could implement or any other strategies as we have tried the looking up (to stop the tears), walking away...but everyone knows what he is doing..Is there some kind of help out there???

[Sandman2]

I would think that stopping the tears would be kind of tough.  Basically, he would have to almost instantly change his mind set - which would be tough, even if he were older.  I know that when I spoke about my father at his funeral, I didn't want to cry.  So I convinced myself that this was a time for celebrating his life, not sadness.  It worked.  So, I guess, one way is to look at those things that he knows will trigger tears, and develop a different mind set toward that.  Frustration is usually a big one at this (or any) age.    To get around that screaming is great- but kind of scary in school.  Running or physical activity really helps, but kind of hard to do in the middle of class.  Saying "screw it, who cares" - can lead to a kind of cop out existance -- but certainly worth being able to do. Taking a deep breath and understanding that this is something that you will be able to deal with (maybe with the help of your parents), and then maybe snapping your pencil in half might work.
  The other way is to distract the attention of the audience once the tears start to flow.  That's why people wear dark glasses to funerals.  So except the fact that you are crying and see if there is anything funny you can say or do about it.  Pull 6 ft of handkerchief out of your pocket and wipe the tears.  Say "stop that", and slap yourself.   Pull an onion out of your backpack and offer it to people.  
   Some help here, that's about all I've got.  Its tough, to come up with one liners, but it could work.  In just trying, it may distract him enough that the tears will stop sooner.  
   As he gets older and his self esteem gets better - it easier to just accept it and say "excuse me, I'll be better in a few seconds."  Which is a lot better than - what are you looking at?
  Maybe the most important thing to understand is that your real friends won't care (especially if they understand what is going on), and the others don't matter.
  I hope that at least some of this is helpful, and that it sparks a few other ideas from other members.  It sounds like your son is a neat kid.  I think he will figure this out.
Good luck to both of you!!

[Lily2you]

Thank you for taking the time to write a response to us.  My son enjoyed your words of wisdom.  He chuckled about the snapping the pencil in half, "what if it is my only pencil?"
He is a really neat kid, the nicest guy in the world, intelligent, loving, caring, gentle, and the other kids at school take advantage of these qualities as a sign of weakness, and brutally tease him.  I tell him that he is an incredible kid now, and that in a few years, these same qualities will make him the most amazing man in the world.
Thank you
Lily2You

[Sandman2]

Hey, Lily2you,
  you are very welcome, and I agree - your son will grow up to be an amazing person.  Have him use some of those talents to try and plan ahead for those unfortunate events.  I'll bet that he can figure out a way to get through at least some of them. Its the old one step at a time routine, but it works!  
  His snapping pencil remark was funny.  Made me think how great it would be if he could pull out some kind of fake iron bar and bend it in half!  Anyway, do work on the humor side of things.  And remember, that teachers (well the ones I have known) can be really helpful if kids are being bullies.  It is ok to get help and guidance from them.
   Best Wishes.

[Lily2you]

My son's favorite quote so far is..."People say that I have ADD, because I can't pay...hey look a chicken!"
I love it too!
Lily2you