Sensory Integration Dysfunction

I have recently become aware of SID and I am concerned that my son has the condition. We have always noticed that he is "different". Could not pedal a tricycle or bike, hypersensitive to noise, did not choose a hand preference until 6 or 7 years; he even would start writing on a page with the left hand and finish with the right. A real shocker came when he was 5 and playing t-ball, my husband and I realized that our son could not run. What child can't run? We thought. He has overcome so many obstacles. He does play sports. We have worked and pushed and he has made great strides in the developement of his gross motor skills. Though many of his moves are still somewhat deliberate and he appears to process slower than other children, thanks to an early PE teacher and consistant activity, he is able to run and play with other children. Instinctively, we knew that he needed any activity that would stimulate coordination and gross motor skill develpment. We are now dealing with an 11 year old who has absolutely no organizational skills. He cannot keep up with papers, forgets to turn in homework and looses books. I have been told he refuses to pay attention in class sometimes bending over in the middle of class to pick up lint off of the floor. They are considering treating him for ADD via midication. Would this be harmful to a SID child, if this is somthing that he has? Also, He says he sometimes sees light flashes and has ringing in ears, could this be related? We've been told that it is allergies.

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

Dear Lori,

It sounds like your son displays a number of neurobehavioral difficulties and probably should be evaluated for sensorimotor and sensory integration problems, if for no other reason than to rule them out.

If he displays Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (often referred to as ADD), sensory integration problems would not be an impediment to taking the types of medications commonly prescribed to treat ADHD. And, by the symptoms you listed, he may well display ADHD.

How well is he progressing in schol? Is he able to keep up with his studies? If he struggles, it would also make sense to have him screened for learning disabilities, which are often associated with conditions like ADHD and other neurobehavioral conditions.

[TerryE]

Lori,
     I have a 4 1/2 year old son who was recently diagnosed with Sensory Integration Disorder. He was evaluated by an Occupational Therapist and is now receiving Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy and  Speech Therapy. At first, he was thought to be High Functioning Autistic but now we feel that all his difficulties are related to SID. It is imperitive that your son be evaluated by a therapist who is familar with this problem. In the meantime, you can find invaluable information in a book titled "The Out-Of-Sync Child" by Carol Stock Kranowitz.
Waldenbooks carries this or can order it for you. This book describes the very different ways a child can be affected by SID....by being hypersensitive to some or all of the senses...or by being hyposensitive to some or all of the senses.....or (like my child) he can be hypersensitive to some and hyposensitive to others. I was able to find lots of information on the Internet that told me what SID is but this book is excellent and stands out from all the others in that it gives you very specific things you can do to help your child. Iwish you the best of everything with your son. Just hang in there and don't get discouraged.