Sensory Intergration or ADHD

Question

My son turned 4 this pass Jan. He has always been intellegent. I had him screened for preschool by the public school system. They used the preschool Brigance and he scored a 94 out of 100. My concern is how wild he gets when others are around. I have asked his doctor, and he said he shows signs of impulsiveness, but wasn't going to label him yet. He go wild with others around, runs in circles, sings very loundly, really anything to get everyone's attention. Everyone tries to tell me it has to do with the new baby sister that now 3 months old. I have been a public school teacher for 8 years and I know there is something more. After his screening some questions came up about SI. He doesn't like bath water any warmer than basically luke warm, and really he thinks that is too hot. He prefers cold, he loves cold. He took a shower outside tonight with the water hose, being 70 degrees. He has started sucking fingers or chewing on objects while watching TV, and suddendly some shoes he wore last year hurt the bottoms of his feet. I was leaning more toward the ADHD, before, but now I am not sure. He is very good at home when it is just us, but when anyone else is around he goes wild. Any suggestions.

This discussion is related to ? Sensory Intergration or ADHD.

tiredbuthappy · Answer

I agree with you- it sounds like it may be a sensory processing disorder. it would certainly explain his behaviors in loud or crowded situations. while labels aren't great at this age, this is the perfect time to get him some OT. it can work wonders for children with sensory processing problems.

RockRose · Answer

I think you should steer clear of any labels with him for now.  

I was interested in your statement that "everyone" tries to tell you this is caused by his new baby sister.  Do you have extended family - aunts and uncles and inlaws and friends - who all seem to think he's normal?  If they all honestly believe he's normal,  he probably is.  

Everyone is an approximation on the mean - we're all different and all brushed with different abilities and challenges.  If you have a good strong social and family network,  and you're the only one who thinks your son has a disability,  consider that he probably doesn't.