Sensory stimulation is a vital role of sending information to the brain of the autistic child to help settle their nervous system. It is important to have sensory breaks to help the child be alert and focus on learning.
Sensory issues can involve how the child sees, hears, smells and how their bodies react to their environment. This can result in the child's mind as conflict, bringing overwhelming sensory information the brain cannot process. The child could appear fearful or clumsy. The textures of what they touch may irritate their skin and make them feel uncomfortable.
Spinning on a sit and spin, jumping on a trampoline, brushing the arms, deep pressure massage, being pressed between bean bag chairs, swaddling, squeezing stress balls and being covered with a weighted blanket are some examples used for a sensory break. Sensory techniques like these help increase alertness.
My son has to start his school day in his classroom and slowly be emerged in the lunchroom where all the other children start their mornings. Eating breakfast. To start him off in the cafe with all the loud children and smell of food sets off sensory over-load. To walk him into it helps his brain prepare for whats coming.
Our sons teachers send him off on sensory breaks about every two hours. Taking this time off from the classroom to help settle his nervous system. Sensory integration helps him come back and focus on learning with the other children.
With my son, when he goes into sensory over-load it's like he is full of energy. His body gets jittery. He clenches his fists. He makes moaning noises and bangs his head on me. He can't sit still. How can he sit and focus at school if he would act like that? He wouldn't be able to if he wasn't getting the sensory breaks.
I think the most effective sensory stimulation involves the playground. This is where they can run, jump, swing, slide and just be a child at play. It will also give you the chance to sit back and watch your special child enjoy being young and stimulate his/her brain to all the sensory needs that need to be filled.
This is my online diary about my son diagnosed with autism at age 2. His progress and regressions. His behavior and his sensory overloads. Therapy and picture schedules. Drama and humor to figure out how his mind works.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Friday, February 18, 2011
"OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY"
An Occupational Therapist is someone who promotes health by enabling people with disabilities to perform meaningful occupations with daily purpose. Occupation not only means "work related." This is the active process of taking care of ourselves and others, doing every day routines, and being socially and economically productive throughout our lives.
With Occupational Therapy, the therapist helps the disabled person learn how to do things to enhance their skills to get involved with their surroundings. This is the use of physical, environmental, psychosocial, mental, spiritual, political and cultural factors to identify things that disrupt their abilities.
While in therapy, the therapist will observe how well the child performs tasks and how they act when participating in age-appropriate activities or situations. Within their observations, the therapist will know what aspects of the disability to work on with the child.
My son right now has seen 2 of these occupational therapists dealing with his autism. I think there will be more to come. One of these therapists work with him at school. He is doing well learning new abilities to be accepted in a social environment. It is very important that he learns how to deal with life situations and be able to act responsibly for his actions.
The main goal of Occupational Therapy is to increase the individuals function and independence of life. We are very lucky to have people trained in these areas to help parents learn more what we can do to overcome stressful situations. They will teach you how to handle sensory meltdowns and give you advice on other topics troubling you. All you have to do is ask.
With Occupational Therapy, the therapist helps the disabled person learn how to do things to enhance their skills to get involved with their surroundings. This is the use of physical, environmental, psychosocial, mental, spiritual, political and cultural factors to identify things that disrupt their abilities.
While in therapy, the therapist will observe how well the child performs tasks and how they act when participating in age-appropriate activities or situations. Within their observations, the therapist will know what aspects of the disability to work on with the child.
My son right now has seen 2 of these occupational therapists dealing with his autism. I think there will be more to come. One of these therapists work with him at school. He is doing well learning new abilities to be accepted in a social environment. It is very important that he learns how to deal with life situations and be able to act responsibly for his actions.
The main goal of Occupational Therapy is to increase the individuals function and independence of life. We are very lucky to have people trained in these areas to help parents learn more what we can do to overcome stressful situations. They will teach you how to handle sensory meltdowns and give you advice on other topics troubling you. All you have to do is ask.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
"EMOTIONS"
I try my best to keep my son with ASD happy. Some times it is virtually impossible. The slightest thing sets him off. Tonight it was a straw to drink his milk.
It all started when his sister was drinking her milk. Naturally, he woke up from his nap and wanted milk also. I get him a glass of milk. That's not good enough. He wants a straw to drink with. I try and explain that we are out of straws. This started off his temper. Now, to regain control over the situation.
He's sitting in my leather rocker recliner and starts rocking hard. Then, he goes and tips over his toys. He grabs other objects and gets ready to throw. He stomps his feet around the house. What do I do? Is this part of his autism or behavior?
I try and pick him up to give him a hug to settle him down. I tell him it's alright that we will have to get more straws. He's still really upset.
This goes on for a while. It seems like it will never end. When you least expect it, it's over. He's done with his tantrum. Wiping away tears from his eyes and taking deep breaths.
Parenting an autistic child you have to call the signs of a meltdown. One like this will strike out of no where. Remain calm. You have to try and control your temper as well. The child will feed off that emotion and things will get worse. Bite your lip and take a deep breath. We will get through another day. One day at a time. You have to have bad days to appreciate the good ones.
It all started when his sister was drinking her milk. Naturally, he woke up from his nap and wanted milk also. I get him a glass of milk. That's not good enough. He wants a straw to drink with. I try and explain that we are out of straws. This started off his temper. Now, to regain control over the situation.
He's sitting in my leather rocker recliner and starts rocking hard. Then, he goes and tips over his toys. He grabs other objects and gets ready to throw. He stomps his feet around the house. What do I do? Is this part of his autism or behavior?
I try and pick him up to give him a hug to settle him down. I tell him it's alright that we will have to get more straws. He's still really upset.
This goes on for a while. It seems like it will never end. When you least expect it, it's over. He's done with his tantrum. Wiping away tears from his eyes and taking deep breaths.
Parenting an autistic child you have to call the signs of a meltdown. One like this will strike out of no where. Remain calm. You have to try and control your temper as well. The child will feed off that emotion and things will get worse. Bite your lip and take a deep breath. We will get through another day. One day at a time. You have to have bad days to appreciate the good ones.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
IN SIMPLE TERMS
How do you explain to a visual thinker on the autism spectrum disorder (ASD) everything? Long story short basically. When it comes to a long explanation, narrow it down. Then, narrow it down further. Than it becomes, just because.
When the explanation is in progress of leaving your lips every word is blah blah blah. Except the words that they can visualize. Take for instance when you tell a visual thinker, "It's raining cats and dogs." That person will actually visualize cats and dogs falling from the sky.
With all the pun in the english language, one thing can mean another. Instead of telling the child about raining cats and dogs, they need to hear that it's raining hard outside. That they can understand.
You can actually see the confusion on their faces while you explain. Their minds are trying to piece that jigsaw puzzle together starting with the border. After that, pieces start falling into place. The more they hear and pictures to show, sentences become clearer.
Over time the more they picture words the easier it will become for my son to understand. It's a matter of how fast the words can be processed visually in his mind. For now, repeating sentences and shortening them up is helping him to learn faster. It helps him pick out the words he knows so he can visualize what I'm saying.
When the explanation is in progress of leaving your lips every word is blah blah blah. Except the words that they can visualize. Take for instance when you tell a visual thinker, "It's raining cats and dogs." That person will actually visualize cats and dogs falling from the sky.
With all the pun in the english language, one thing can mean another. Instead of telling the child about raining cats and dogs, they need to hear that it's raining hard outside. That they can understand.
You can actually see the confusion on their faces while you explain. Their minds are trying to piece that jigsaw puzzle together starting with the border. After that, pieces start falling into place. The more they hear and pictures to show, sentences become clearer.
Over time the more they picture words the easier it will become for my son to understand. It's a matter of how fast the words can be processed visually in his mind. For now, repeating sentences and shortening them up is helping him to learn faster. It helps him pick out the words he knows so he can visualize what I'm saying.
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