I recently put my 7 year old son on Focalin XR after several appointments with a neurologist, and a pediatric developmental specialist. The first visits were when he was 5. The specialist thought it could be Sensory Integration Disorder with just the touch sense being affected - the hypo type which means he's not getting enough input and is craving more. He would bite my arm as I held him as a baby and a toddler, but never in an angry way. He when he finally learned to not bite, he would still clench his teeth and hug me hard, and still to this day he constantly wants to be physiclally touching me or snuggling (full body hugs, sitting on me, rubbing his face into my stomach). He had issues with personal boundries with his friends (hugging and picking his friends up, getting too close to their faces), talking way too much and too fast, and was very busy and physical in general. Are these the same symptoms of ADHD that you other parents have seen in your children?
At the time the specialist said he was too young to diagnose, so we did nothing. At six I went back, and also went to a neurologist, and they decided it was ADHD, and both recommended medication. I was reluctant. I enrolled him in Karate, and did behavior mods at home and through school, but it didn't help much. When I asked each doctor about the sensory integration theory, they said it could be, but thought those behaviors were part of the impulsivness that comes with the ADHD. What bothers me is that the symptom list for recognizing Sensory Integration and ADHD is pretty much identical, and there's no "test" to diagnose these things for certain. The big difference is one gets OT and the other medication. I decided to trust the doctors and put him on the lowest dosage of Focalin XR. I work all day, so the meds are worn off by the time I get home at 6:00, so I haven't seen much change, but the school has seen a difference (so hopefully I made the right choice).
Has any body else had a diagnosis of Sensory Integration Disorder, or any knowledge of it?
My son is diagnosed with adhd, sensory integration and a speech delay. He was diagnosed sensory when he was 2 in early intervention.
He had an Occupational Therapist up until 2 years ago. They treated him for feeling NO pain, need deep presure impact, writing "situations" - pushes down too hard, writing sloppy (still is) and other things. He never had the food or clothing situation, but he did have self regulation problems. He didn't like his hair cut or washed.
All these things change, they learn to handle them BUT new ones arrive! I swear that my son's speech delay is due to his tongue/teeth sensation in his mouth from sensory.
I also have read the book written by the one who first came up with sensory integration. I agree, very similar to ADHD. My son was diagnosed adhd at the age of just shy of 5.
This sounds just like my son. He was diagnosed with apraxia (a speech disorder) and started receiving speech therapy through early intervention when he was 2 1/2. At age 3, he went to preschool through the preschool disabled program in our school district and received speech therapy as well as OT. They recommended more speech therapy privately. So we did that and that is also where they diagnosed him with sensory processing disorder. At the age of 4 3/4, he was finally diagnosed with ADHD, which I do agree all of the symptoms are very close.
He is now 7 years old and has just completed his private speech therapy and OT because our insurance won't cover it anymore (they did a great job covering him for 4 years!). He has come a long way with his speech and sensory processing disorder. He still receives speech therapy at school and he just finished OT because he has done so well.
Right before he turned 6, we put him on medication (Metadate CD 5 mg). Eventually that was not enough. Just before turning 7, we tried Focalin XR 5 mg, then had to increase to 10 mg. He was way too emotional and whiny on it. Now he is on Vyvanse 20 mg. It seems better, but still not the best. I don't know if we will ever find one medication that is the best for him, and to be honest, I really don't like the idea of giving him medication. But I see he does need something. This summer I'm hoping to try an elimination diet or Feingold and see if that helps him. I see that certain foods really do affect his behavior.
I hope this helps you.
Kathy
Thank you Trixila. Your son sounds very much like mine with the exception of the speech. I went on line and ordered 2 Abilitations Catalogs. I never heard of it before, and am very anxious to check it out. As far as books, did you find any particular books better than others that you would recommend?
I have 2 questions for you - how did the doctor determine your son had SID as well as ADHD? My doctor chalked his behavior off to just the ADHD, but I'm not convinced. Also, what is a "clonidine chaser"? Is it something to help your child sleep? My son goes to sleep later than usual and gets up earlier since he's been on Focalin XR.
My 9 yr old son has SID, he is a sensory seeker. Climbs higher, swings longer, chews everything, was a biter until 6, craves deep muscle pressure. Had OT for 4 yrs to help him out, plus speech. This is a real neurological condition. His meds for adhd help but don't really eliminate it. We do alot of stuff at home to make his 'motor' fun at a lower level. He had tons of issues with personal space boundaries and keeping his hands to himself. Most of these vanished by 7 or 8. For some kids, it just part of the package. Get your hands on a catalogue from Abilitations and you will find lots of stuff that will help your child out. We have an trampoline in the basement and am saving for a special swing to put up in his room. There are lots of books out there that address ways to help. My son is on 10 mg focalin XR with a clonidine chaser at night. He plays soccer and I keep him pretty active.