SENSORY ISSUES | ADHD Information

My 9yo son Andy has OT issues (both sensory and fine motor) along with his ADD. The way the IEP process works, he couldn't get OT services in school until he was also diagnosed as Learning Disabled as well.   Once he had the IEP he was qualified also for "tangential" OT services.  But they started trying some of the above mentioned tools (seat cushion etc.) even before he qualified -- they've helped, but we haven't found the perfect balance yet.  I wish you well on your journey and am in the same boat... :)

have your public school evaluate him, AND tell them of his sensory diagnosis. My son received OT through the school in addition to his speech. He had this for 6 years. They helped him with writing and spacing letters, with overstimulation, spacing issues with other children/people, etc. The school can help you, if THEY are willing to do the right thing. It is worth a shot. We also used our private insurance and went to Health south for OT and speech when he was in preschool and summers. It helps a lot. BUT remember, the sensory issues are constantly changing, as they adjust to the current ones and get them under control, new ones can arrive. Hang in there. Our son is 13 and I don't see any sensory stuff, except for the occassional chewing of his shirt. His adhd meds has also helped a lot. If you ever read up on it when you can, you will find that sensory and adhd are VERY similar. I still believe that my son has a speech problem from sensory - his tongue and teeth sensation in his mouth. But the meds help in both areas.

Best wishes!

My son has ADHD and SPD/SID. I had to take him to a private OT for therapy because the school insisted it did not interfere  with his school work. For whatever reason my son wouldn't use  the things that were recommended for him to use during school time. I think he is self-conscious. He wouldn't wear a weighted vest or use the alpha smart keyboard, etc. He had just turned 9 when he was diagnosed with the sensory processing disorder. She would tie a stretchy exercise band around the bottom of a chair so that he could push on it with his feet and feel the resistance. My son would do this at the therapist and at home but not at school.

The OT recommended that he be allowed to chew gum, granola bites or something else that was chewy or crunchy to get sensory input during class. Some suggestions for the teacher were to allow my son to be the class helper for heavy work like moving desks, carrying books, etc. To allow him a chance to move around she suggested he be used as a messenger. If he seemed like he could use a break or needed some physical exercise she could send him, as messenger, to the nurse or another teacher with a note to deliver. It was also suggested that she have the whole class take a stretch/exercise break. Have them stretch in their desks or stand up and touch their toes or jump around. This helped all the kids and didn't make my son feel self-conscious. Another one is when your son is sitting at his desk to have him put his hands on his chair seat, on each side of his body, and to push down and try to lift himself up. She called it chair push-ups.

I used to use an exercise trampoline at home ( the little ones that you use in the house). I would have my son jump on that for a few minutes sometimes having him throw a ball with me at the same time. This really helped him get focused. I would do that before he started his homework.

Definitely try to get your child seen by an OT. They really can help with the sensory issues.

Good Luck.
Chewing gum would give sensory input, if that's allowed at school.  Maybe he could wear something on his wrist or keep something in a pocket that he could squeeze, and that would give sensory input.  IDK what would be "cool enough" for middle school.  At younger ages, kids squeeze stress balls, pull on coil bracelets. and other things like that for sensory input. Carrying his backpack or wheeling it would provide some sensory input.  I assume it's heavy at the middle school level.Our DS7 (almost 8) has SID along with ADHD.  If your insurance will cover an OT evaluation along with some OT, that will help greatly.  You may need a referral from your neurologist but why wouldn't they want you to get the best help you can for your son's issues.  We went thru 6 wks of OT and got a lot of different things to try at home & school until we found what worked.  We are also in the process of doing testing thru the public school district (he goes to private school but luckily our private school works closely with the school district) and will be evaluated also for his SID so that the school can provide more help.  Currently he has a bubble seat and a weighted lap blanket that he uses during desk/work time, both are pretty inconspicuious.  He also has a compression vest that he has at school to use if his teacher thinks he's getting too antsy.  He used it a lot last year but now so far this year, hasn't used it at all (I think it's just the difference between teachers & their expectations).  At home, he uses a weighted blanket for sleeping & we use the brushing technique & joint compressions at bed time.  These are just the things that have worked for him but there are many other things out there that works for others.  An OT would be the best to help you find the right fit for your son, hopefully that is something you're able to look into more.  Good luck!  

My son is 9 & has inattentive ADHD.  He has not been diagnosed with Sensory Integration Disorder, but does have some of the traits such as spinning his head (or whole body) around in circles and won't eat foods with mushy textures like yogurt or pudding.  I asked his neurologist when he was diagnosed if she detected sensory problems and she said they often go hand-in-hand with ADHD but never really addressed it more than that.  I've read push ups & swinging on a swing may help a child w/ sensory issues but those are things he can't do in the middle of school.  Does anyone have tips that he can do at school discretely that may help him so he can stay more attentive?  thanks!

 

Search online for "Sensory Diet" for tips. My son has a sensory integration
disorder, and I hate to say it, but I haven't done nearly enough to help him
with those issues. One thing I remember specifically - because it's so
bizarre - is to give him sour gummies for a snack at school. His dentist
hates it, but it actually helps.

Good luck!

Sensory Integration Disorder is usually diagnosed by an Occupational Therapist and they can help tremendouly with tips on what to do!  Sometimes it's hard to find things while they're in class but it may help to do somethings before school and at lunch.

My son always likes to spin on our office chair here at the house.  The spinning calms him down.  Joint compressions are also something you can do before school (and maybe during)  This is where you gently push together the joints one by one.  I start at the fingers or toes. Go joint by joint and push it together a couple of times then move on to the next joint.  Make sure to do all of the joints including the knees and hips.  It amazing sometimes how much it can calm him down.

On thing you may look into for class is a "wiggle seat".  It's a pad that goes on the seat and it's rounded on the bottom to make it unstable.  It rocks whenever you move.  The movement really calms some kids during class. 

These are just some ideas but and O.T. can help you with much more! Good luck!