Feeling stressed? Not knowing what to expect or what to do when your child’s been recommended to start occupational therapy services? This episode is for all those parents and family members who are new to the world of sensory processing disorder. This can be a very overwhelming time, so I am going to share the most common questions I receive at my office, from new families inquiring about sensory therapy.

How long will my child need therapy?

It’s very hard to say how long a child needs sensory integration treatment, as all children and all people for that matter are made differently. In general, children usually require a few months at minimum to a few years to improve their sensory processing, and then any developmental skills that may have been delayed along the way.

How long does it take to see progress?

It should really take a few days to a few weeks to see improvements in your child’s sensory processing if he or she is starting therapy with problems in attention, calming and behavioral control (to name a few). You should see rapid progress in the first few months as you are learning what to do and what not to do from your occupational therapist in your child’s treatment sessions. After this general time frame, it’s expected that your child’s skills and performance will plateau some, but continue to slowly improve over time at a steady rate.

Is this something we always have to keep doing or will my child get better?

No! Children should be able to improve the maturity of their nervous system for greater sensory processing that stays with them for life. The goal of therapy is to improve your child’s processing so he or she can perform, and get through life in a functional manner. The goal is not for every child to leave therapy having the same skills, or fitting into the same box, so to speak. Once your child can blend in with other kids the same age (for handwriting, behavioral control, balance, attention, etc…) they may be done with therapy. Sometimes these children will fall apart more often with big life changes, when they are sick or when they are going through a growth spurt, but don’t worry, this typically passes when your child overcomes this obstacle. During these times of stress, it’s best to reincorporate some of the home activities your therapist recommended to you when your child was going to weekly therapy appointments. Children that are naturally hyper, full of energy or always stressed may continue to require age-appropriate activities completed at home or in the community, such as: always keeping your child in a physical sport (in order to have an outlet).

What do sessions look like?

Occupational therapy sessions with a focus on sensory integration treatments look like play! They are fun and motivating for the child, because the child guides the session based on his or her interests and internal body needs. There are some exceptions to this which may include times when children have behavioral or motor planning difficulties and they need more guidance and concrete directions throughout their sessions. Regardless, the child’s needs are still taken into consideration and the children that need this therapy, almost always want it, crave it, don’t want to leave and always want to come back! This includes kids that have very short attention spans and kids that are always fussy or throwing fits at home.

What is my role as a parent?

Okay parents, your job is to participate by coming into the sessions to watch, learn what the therapist does and why, learn what to do at home and to ask questions! True sensory integrative therapy is hard for many people to learn and understand, and it’s especially hard to explain to others. It looks like play, but the theory behind it is based on neurological processing and how different sensations are processed in the brain stem and interpreted in the brain.

How do I explain this to family and friends?

Be patient and ask your family and friends to be patient too. Again, it takes time to understand how all this play-based therapy helps your child get through the day in a pleasant manner and have the coordination skills he or she needs to keep up with peers at any age. Have your family come to a few sessions to ask questions and observe. The parent who doesn’t typically bring the child must also come to a few sessions at minimum to understand what on earth is going on and what their role is specifically in helping their child. If a nanny or babysitter takes the child to therapy or if sessions are completed at school as a convenience, then both parents need to make a big effort to show up on occasions, to get the full benefit of therapy. There are some good books out that explain sensory processing disorder, here are just a few, which all cost around $10.00 each:

-“Sensational Kids” by Lucy Jane Miller

-“The Out-of-Sync Child” by Carol Stock-Kranowitz

-“Answers to Questions Teachers Ask About Sensory Integration- by Jane Koomar

-“Raising A Sensory Smart Child”-by Lindsay Biel

What do I do about telling my child’s teacher and school?

Only tell people what you are comfortable with sharing. Consider everyone to be on a need-to-know basis. If you child is not doing well in school, behaviorally or academically, then it’s likely in your best interest to share this information with the school, so they know you are working hard to resolve these issues and that you are not living happily on your own island of denial. If your child thrives in school and becomes the Tasmanian Devil at home, then use your discretion in sharing information. Also, if your child use to have tremendous difficulties and is now starting school or starting a new school, try not to give them a long dark history of what you’ve been through to get to this point, so they do not have a negative image of your child before they get to build their own, unbiased opinion. You will be amazed at how well your child can do!

Be very encouraged, as there’s lots of hope for your child! Don’t give up and don’t let your child’s sensory symptoms go untreated if they are burdensome now, as life can be so much better for your whole family, if your child can get help now.

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