Five y.o. doesn't like to get hands dirty.

[Silvie1]

My five y.o. grandson does not like to get his hands dirty. He has had tactile issues since he was a toddler. At that point, it was with the texture of the foods he was eating and gagging. He will not try new foods and tends to want smooth texture foods. I feel his issues are real enough that it justifies an evaluation
My daughter is aware of these issues. Her friend, who has two autistic boys, has told her she has researched this. The friend told her that my grandson will outgrow it. I feel he needs help. He also has had issues where the seam in his socks bother him and he talks constantly. My daughter has to give him "quiet" time because of his continual talking. I don't know if this is related to the initial problem.He does not like "messy" play.  As an example, I did a project with him at Halloween and he asked me if I would do the glueing part. At Christmas, he  asked me to pick up his ice cream sandwich for him. These two incidents are what have prompted me to post. In addition, he is a very bright little boy with a photographic memory. He remembers details and facts that amaze us.Other than the tactile issues, he has been right on target with all his childhood milestones.

[RockRose]

Silvie,  constant talking is related to brain stimulation.  There are children whose brains "shut off" if they stop making noise.  My youngest son did that at that age - to the point where strangers in public would comment "he talks too much"!  He was constantly,  constantly vocalizing.  If he ran out of energy to think of things to say,  he'd be humming.  I think it's all somehow related to tactile issues - and my guess is,  he'll stop at some point.  

When I'd ask my son what would happen if he was silent,  he'd say my brain feels sleepy.  Right now,  he's 14,  very socially accepted,  very normal,  but right now he's in the kitchen alternating  between singing and whistling.  He's doing a long homework project,  and I guess that keeps him focused.  I keep hearing singing and whistling . . . .

I think your grandson will be fine.  We're all approximations on the mean.

[Silvie1]

Thanks for the input. Does anyone have any suggestions as to why my grandson constantly talks. Could this be a symptom of OCD or somehow related to the tactile issues?

[momagain59]

Your Grandson needs an evaluation from an Occupational Therapist. Depending on your insurance, he may need a referral from his Dr. this can effect his entire life if he does not get help. It will even effect his education. Maybe you can offer to take him to the Dr. Sometimes parents just have too much on their plate to make one more appointment. If you look up Sensory Integration Dysfunction on the net, you will find lots of information.

If she refuses, you can help him by providing many messy activities. One little boy that I worked with in childcare would not touch anything messy. In order to get him to touch things we had to add toy cars and trucks to the activity. He got to where he would play with play doh, shaving creme, whipped creme, sand, goop, mud, but not unless we would add his favorite (cars and trucks). It is easier to get them started by using tools such as paint brushes, sticks, containers, cotton balls, cotton swabs, tooth picks, etc...

You have proved once again how important Grandma's are.

[RockRose]

Silvie,  it sounds like he has sensory defensiveness issues.  There are therapies that can help him - although it's been awhile since I've researched this.  Several years ago a new technique - "brushing" was being used,  where the child's arms and legs were brushed with soft baby brushes for several minutes each day.  Somehow,  that helps.  Also,  snug fitting clothing without seems (nylon bicycle shorts,  for example) can help.

The more parents recognize and acknowledge sensory issues,  and allow the child to work with them,  the better.  

You sound like your family is doing a good job with him -