Sensory Issues - Waconia,MN

Ditto on the book The Out of Sync Child and the OT assessment if you haven't already. My son is 3-1/2 and was referred for the OT for SPD. They recommended gymnastics as a way to get some physical sensory input. Also something he can have, hold, bite as an outlet. other posts have made recommendations for places to get those things.
Good luck.
D.

I would really see your Pediatrician.
From there as needed, he/she will refer you to the appropriate Specialist.

My son was diagnosed with Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) when he was 3, no autism. Here are some things that I recommend because they helped us.

Start with The Out-of-Sync Child, great read. Then move to The Out-of_Sync Child Has Fun for pratical do at home ideas. If you feel his sensory issues are going to have broader implications for when he starts school, then I strongly recommend getting an eval done by an OT with sensory experience. The Children's Hospital network has some good ones. If you seek OT, make sure you tell them that you want to learn things that would be good activities at home. I observed every session from a side room and the therapist would give me summary on techniques at the end of each session.

Also it sounds like he craves a lot of oral stimulation. Check out The Autism Shop (online or go visit them in Hopkins, MN) , they have a bunch of chewy sticks and other great sensory chew items http://www.autismshop.com/store/home.php?cat=338

Does he actively avoid touching certain things with his hands? If so, start introducing some activities that encourage use of his hands. Sensory issues can have a huge effect on fine motor development and writing skills in school (this has been my son's battle).

Get him to talk with you about what he is feeling at different times. Helping kids put words to what they sense can help them develop a better understanding.

Good luck :)

An electric toothbrush and/or vibrating teething ring (one that you can put in the freezer would be good) can probably give him the oral stimulation that he needs. Are you working with an occupational therapist on his SPD issues? They are usually a good source of information and clever and age appropriate tricks. Also, do a search for a company called Super Duper. It has a selection of items that it sells for SPD.

I second (or third) the recommendation for finding a good OT. Your pediatrician might even be able to recommend one.

In the meantime, you could try finding your son some some "chewelry". Basically, it's a bracelet or necklace (or both) that he can chew on. You may have to try a couple of types to find one he likes. Another option, if he'll wear it, is a teething necklace.

Good luck!

I totally agree that an OT eval is warranted. Your Ped will be able to recommend an occupational therapist near you. We've been going to The Therapy Place in Bloomington and love it, but that's going to be a little far for you.

My son has Autism and he had sensory needs that we addressed w/an Occupational Therapist. We take in sensory in many ways including our visual input, input from muscles and joints, and input through the vestibular sensory system (movement). My son hate swings and merry go rounds, which is vestibular. Activities such as ring around the rosy helped up work on that. There are less of them at playgrounds, but merry go rounds and swings are great for vestibular sensory input. He had a need for muscle sensory input which I helped with weighted blankets and weighted vests. He also enjoys being in tight spaces b/c of the sensory input that it gives him. He is always getting into boxes and I made him a caccoon out of spandex material. Other ways to provide sensory are through activities such as sitting on the floor with your feet together and gently pulling on each others' arms to do a back and forth motion. Another way with pulling is to find a way to weigh down a blanket and have him pull the weighted object. For oral sensory input he had some chewys the OT gave me which we called his biting toys. We would also try to find chewy foods that gave sensory input such as jerky, liccorrice, and fruit snacks, although I know those may be limiting b/c of the sugar content. I do not know much about providing visual sensory input since we didn't struggle w/that. I hope some of this helps you and it may be a good thing to mention to your doctor. My OT for my son was wonderful and provided me with SO much information. Good luck!!!!

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Try foods that are hard to chew he seems to need his head to be stimulated and see how beanie caps or skull caps work for him as well or even a do rag (sp) here are some examples:
http://www.e4hats.com/_e/gdept/56/Skull_Caps.htm

Food Options my FAV is FROZEN Fruit Snacks put them in the freezer and let them rest on the counter for 2-5 min before giving them to your kiddo
Granola with some (not a lot) caramel
Something else provided there are no peanut butter allergies: Take a small square of bread and put some peanut butter on it then stick it to the roof of his mouth. They really have to use their mouth to get it off and it is a nice work out you can use other nut butters if peanut is not possible.
I will ask my girlfriend who's son has apraxia and they use foods as a "mouth work out" some other ideas as well.
My son when teething LOVED LOVED the cheap flip flops that you can get from the dollar store and so we kept those around for him to bite on to.
This kind of shoes:
http://www.customlogoflipflops.com/custom_rubber_havaiana...

Good Luck and may I suggest reading The Out of Sync Child Has Fun ... it has TONS of good sensory game ideas. My 4yr old has sensory issues too moms have to get creative!