Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum. ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
Child Behavior (Expert Forum)
Sensory Integration/tactile defensiveness
Answered by
Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D. - Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy, Family Therapy, Crisis Intervention
Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates
This forum is for questions and support regarding child behavior issues such: Child Discipline (behavior management), Normal Child Development, Parent-Child Communications, Social Development
Sensory Integration/tactile defensiveness
by TINA, May 07, 2000 12:00AM
I have a 7 year old daughter who was diagnosed about 2 years ago with Sensory Integration Disorder. Her most prevalent symptom is tactile defensiveness, which at times can be severe. She has been in occupational therapy twice weekly for 10 months. My question is regarding the tendency I have seen for the symptoms to go in waves. For example, she will be doing very well for awhile, then have a setback where her clothing will really bother her. She has done well in first grade this year but the last 2 weeks we have had a great deal of trouble getting her to actually go into school. She says it is because her clothes are bothering her (not because of anything in particular at school -- she actually is better once she is in her class and with her friends. she seems happy when I pick her up in the pm). She has never put up this much resistance before. The school staff is very patient and understanding and they do everything they can to make the transition into the building easy for her. My only explanation would be that the end of the year can be very stressful because the routine is different and more hectic. We thought perhaps it was some attention getting or separation anxiety but she has not done this all school year and it seems odd that it would come now, not at the beginning of the year. Any insight would be appreciated! Thanks for your help.
Doctor's Answer
by Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D., May 07, 2000 12:00AM
, May 07, 2000 12:00AM
Dear Tina,
It's not uncommon for children to show some unsettled behavior toward the end of the school year. The anticipation of change can be an unsettling experience. Of course, I can't say if your daughter's reluctance is related to such anticipation or not. You are wise, in any case, to notice how well she seems to be responding while actually at school - this is the important issue.
It may be that your daughter is simply responding to the natural ebb and flow os some SI symptoms. Children with SI do not display a steady, unwavering response to their symptoms.
It's not uncommon for children to show some unsettled behavior toward the end of the school year. The anticipation of change can be an unsettling experience. Of course, I can't say if your daughter's reluctance is related to such anticipation or not. You are wise, in any case, to notice how well she seems to be responding while actually at school - this is the important issue.
It may be that your daughter is simply responding to the natural ebb and flow os some SI symptoms. Children with SI do not display a steady, unwavering response to their symptoms.
Member Comments (1)
by jackieh226, Sep 16, 2008 09:13PM
A related discussion, clothing issues was started.
