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Sensory Processing

Diana

Hi all, I've just joined the community hoping to find inspiration to keep focussed on finding the right support for my child. I have an undiagnosed 12 year old waiting for assessment and struggling to cope with everyday life, particularly school for various reasons but one in particular is due to sensory processing issues around clothing and environments. Just wondering if anyone else is experiencing this and where to seek the best support. Our doctor seems to think that it is all ASD associated and hasn't offered us any support. I am reading about occupational therapists and wondering if anyone has gone down this route?

Would love to know your thoughts please :-) 

  • I recently came across some research which said the way our brains are wired, we do not have the ability to dull our senses - society needs these. Humans are supposed to use them like 'tools' to calculate. Many industries need humans who have an eye for detail: coding, wine making, structural engineering, etc. We need them to spot dangers. Unfortunately, since the 80s, there has been unparalleled change in our environment and corporations being given freedom or even legally allowed to assault human senses. 

    The environment is becoming increasingly less human-friendly. I have ear plugs for busses/trains, stores even. I have tinted lenses and hunt down natural clothing. I have recently had to buy an air purifier as there's off-gassing in a place the previous owner was completely desensitised to and her husband had a ton of health problems. Scented candles, scented cleaning agents and incense should be illegal (they're as bad as smoking, if not worse).

    He may need help articulating how he is feeling assaulted every day. I cannot imagine going to school today or being autistic and forced into this current society with out the agency to change my home surroundings and set my own schedule. Getting to know one's tolerance and when to exit is critical.

    This is a great article about our strengths: autcollab.org/.../

    Light Awareness is a campaign who is helping those of us affected by these new laws regarding lightbulbs: https://lightaware.org If you can, maybe buy him rock lamps (I have a salt lamp night light and a selenite lamp). And see if you can put an energy efficient halogen in his room. 

    I would download a decibel reader to measure sound levels and note what is too loud for how long (frequency is also important) https://www.asha.org/public/hearing/loud-noise-dangers/

    This is a good post about schools - "When we treat autistic children the way the world tells us to treat neurotypical children, they suffer. But I have never encountered a child of any age or neurotype who doesn’t thrive when treated like an autistic person should be treated"  https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/everyday-neurodiversity/202108/are-we-giving-autistic-children-ptsd-school?fbclid=IwAR0e6pwWeDC7C0c3EJAE1qdd9PyMyCqkgwIvTDEIxPKGBOV7Qn9hrgN5kI8

    Find school clothes which have natural fibres: 100% cotton, linen or marino wool. Natural tree fibres like bamboo or eucalyptus can be good for the summer, but they don't keep the body warm. I would stay away from anything made from petroleum based fibre -polyester/nylon. Socks with a blend under 5% might be OK, but you'd have to see how your son reacts to them. 

    Lastly, this is a great blog to follow: www.instagram.com/.../