Four different evaluators from Early Intervention (not to mention the Pediatric Neurologist who mentioned the possibility in the first place) overwhelmingly agree that Baby Bear has a Sensory Integration Disorder.
It's a neurological disorder that impacts how they process sensory input and can - if not addressed with therapy - severely impact social and learning abilities. Basically, in the last two days I've spent about 5 hours with various specialists and have come out understanding that every single difficulty Bear is having is rooted in the sensory disorder. (Even the speech delay, which with this disorder is often caused by their inability to properly feel their mouth and tongue, so can't control it to speak.)
The only thing that probably has nothing to do with the disorder is the screaming nighttime freakouts, which the behavior specialist said are almost certainly night terrors. Bottom line: horrific for parents to witness, no big deal for the actually still sleeping toddlers who have no awareness or memory of them. Just a brain development thing with synapses firing all wonky. They grow out of it.
Starting next week we'll be starting therapy 3 times a week: one session of speech therapy, one session of occupational therapy (essentially 'sensory therapy') and one session with the extra special, we're lucky he took us on behavior specialist. After 3 months of that they're recommending we add a 4th session a week to get him into group OT.
Plus I have to start incorporating sensory and speech activities into, well, every waking moment.
And I thought I was having trouble getting to the gym now...
6 comments:
The good news is you will never be alone in your struggle AND you will always have a specialist to bounce ideas/questions/concerns off of.
(My oldest boy also had/has sensory issues and so does the Bean, though not to the same extent.) Bear is going to blossom now, just wait and see. :) Yay for youse guys!
Wishing you all the best that this brings success and more happiness into all of your lives. I'm sure it will have its challenges, but you'll persevere. Don't they say knowing is half the battle? You can fight it as a team. Good luck.
Early intervention is the best. I'm so glad you figured it out now, so he can start getting the help and have a better future because of it. I'm here for you if you need me. Take care sweetie.
Oh, hooray for Early Intervention!
Hopefully, the therapies will have the desired effect of eventually giving you back MORE time and energy, because you're no longer going to be so overwhelmed by your little one's needs.
(((hugs))) SO HARD but remember MUMMY TIME IS EQUALLY IMPORTANT nurturing yourself = energy to nurture Bear ((hugs))
Take care of yourself!
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