Hello,
My name is Laurie and I’m looking for information to help me with my daughter. She is 4 (will be 5 in February) and I really feel that she has some form of leaning disability. I have, however, no idea how to go about having it diagnosed and how to work with it.
She’s currently in pre-k and is just not understanding things. I’ve worked with her on her letters for the longest time and she has yet to understand any of it. You can sit in front of her and try to get her to understand what you are trying to teach her and she will notice everything BUT what you want her to pick up on.
She is not delayed in speech nor do I feel she has any trouble hearing or seeing. She does however have a very odd way with food. She is literally terrified of certain foods. To the point where she falls apart if she even has to have certain things on her plate. It’s not a temper tantrum it’s fear.
I’m at a loss. I don’t know what to do or what direction to take. I feel that she may have cognitive problems but all that I read about that tends to try to place it into an autistic spectrum, which I do not think is the issue.
What do I do?
Re: Beth in FL
[quote=”Beth from FL”] I am sure, in retrospect, that he also had sensory integration deficits. [/quote]
I get the gist of sensory integration deficits but what all does it entail? Does it go beyond food? What about noise? My daughter hates public restroom toilets. They are too loud when they flush. Also, she used to be terrified of overly shiny waxed floors.
[quote=”Beth from FL”]What does her preschool teacher think? As I said, my son’s preschool teacher thought something was amiss. My noninterested in letters daughter teacher, however, thought she was just young for her age. Both were right. [/quote]
Carlie’s teacher is stumped. She is a wonderful teacher and was our oldest son’s pre-k teacher as well. With Carlie it’s more like she just does not get the meaning of letters. It’s like when you are handed something you don’t recognize, you have no clue what to do with it. Her vocabulary is fine and she has met all her milestones on time. I just don’t know where to go next. Who do I talk to? Where do I go? How do initiate the process?
Thank you so much for your answers. Part of my frustration is that I’ve been telling people that something was wrong since she was a very little baby. Pretty much since the day we brought her home from the hospital I’ve picked up on her extreem neediness and inablility to cope with her surroundings. She used to have these fits that would last for an hour at a time and I have no idea what they were over. I’ve cried out that something was wrong and it was all “poopooed” by other people. “This is normal” or “It’s just a phase”, was all I ever heard back. For once it’s nice to have someone believe me and I thank you for that.
Re: Looking for information,
I hear you!
Have you read the book The Out of Sync Child? It’s about Sensory Integration Disorder.
Are you in a big city? If you are there are probably LD private schools that do evaluations to the public. Or take her to her pediatrician to get a referral to someone who can evaluate her. Another option is to conduct the school district in which you reside and talk to them. If you give them a written request for an evaluation, they have to do it for free. They may even have a special ed preschool she may qualify for.
Re: Looking for information,
We live in a very small town (VERY population 353). However we do live about 30 miles from a larger city. We are looking into taking her to a independant firm that specializes in learning blocks.
I’ve read part of the Out of Sync Child, I suppose I need to go find it and read it again.
where to start
Have you talked with her pediatrician about it? I understand your concern and understand why autistic tendencies come to mind but there are other things among them attentional issues that could explain her behavior.
It never hurts to start with the family doctor and sometimes they can point you in a good direction in your search for answers.
Good luck.
Re: Looking for information,
I’d definitely go to a private clinic that evaluates children for developmental disorders including sensory integration. Those symptoms do sound a lot like SI. She needs to be evaluated so she can get the therapy, if needed, before she starts to school. I wouldn’t even consider going to the local school to ask for testing for this.
Janis
Re: Looking for information,
I would definitely check in with my pediatrician. Everything you are describing in the absence of any developmental delays of any kind could be sensory. Or could be emotional since you are describing fears/anxieties. So a child psychologist could be an appropriate option.
Beth in FL
With my son, we took the evaluations to the school district. He qualified for speech and language therapy on their nickel. There was a list of approved places to take him for evaluations. The first time we went to the place most convenient to us and it was a disaster. They basically told us that he was a behavioral problem and needed better parenting!!!! He was a classic case of sensory integration disorder but they weren’t competent enough to see it. He didn’t transition well and basically wouldn’t cooperate. The second time, after his nursery school teacher approached us, we went to the children’s hospital. It was also on their “list” but less convenient for us.
So it makes a difference to go to a really good place. Ask around.
If your preschool teacher is puzzled by your daughter and your gut says something is not right, it is time to get more information so you can figure out how to help her.
Beth
Re: Looking for information,
I spoke again with her teacher today and we both feel that it wouldn’t hurt to have her checked out. We have an appointment with our family doctor Tuesday to start the process. I want to make sure it’s nothing medical first (hearing, vision, thyroid, etc).
Her teacher mentioned ADD today. I just don’t know though. I mean I haven’t been able to find anything that says “If your child does this, this and this than she has ADD. If he has this, this, and this than he has SI problems.
Personally I think it’s a mixture of things.
I’m afraid of medication. :oops:
Re: Looking for information,
Laurie,
It is important for you to know that the mainstream medical profession tends to view sensory integration problems as part of a larger picture of a neurological problem such as ADHD rather than as a separate diagnosis. So, you might not be able to find anything that tells you how to distinguish SI from ADHD. Don’t be afraid of the diagnosis, whatever it may be. Its better to know what your dealing with than to live in fear of what it might be. If it is ADHD, then there are lots of options. Meds don’t have to be your first resort. If medication is prescribed, there are nonstimulant options, if you are scared about stimulants.
At four children aren’t diagnosed usually with learning disabilities. My son was diagnosed with speech and language deficiencies, which are often precursors to LD. I am sure, in retrospect, that he also had sensory integration deficits. That is what I thought of when I read your account of food with your daughter.
We had our son evaluated through a local children’s hospital because he didn’t follow directions and his speech was delayed at age 3. His preschool teacher persuaded us to do this because he reminded her of her son who was diagnosed with LD at age 10. lThey did an IQ evaluation, a developmental history, speech and language evaluation, an OT evaluation, and visited his preschool.
Your gut may very well be right but also be aware that many very normal children have no interest in learning letters at age 4. My daughter, now 13, and a straight A student told me at age 4 that this was boring and could we do something else.
What does her preschool teacher think? As I said, my son’s preschool teacher thought something was amiss. My noninterested in letters daughter teacher, however, thought she was just young for her age. Both were right.
Beth