Sensory overload!

Well I think it's pretty official that Sam does have a form of Sensory Processing Disorder.  We went to Group from Early Intervention this morning.  Steve went with us and I thought maybe he would do better with both of us there but no such luck.  Sam was just as upset and even vomited a few times.   He quieted down at times but only when he came to me to be held and was resting his head on me.   He had no interest in anything the other kids were doing.  There were only 3 kids there today so it was pretty quiet.  I found out the other little boy who gets upset too is only 1 day older than Sam.   I enjoyed watching that boy today, he was too cute.   I could see Steve getting upset during the group and felt bad in a way.  But then again I'm the one that's been going through all these activities with Sam 99% of the time so it was good that he gets to experience how emotional it is too.   Steve went to his therapy appt. this afternoon and is still pretty emotional tonight.  Why am I always the one that has to put on the strong face for us?  I actually came home and had a good cry today after putting him down for a nap.  Made me feel a bit better.

While we were there this morning we spoke with one of the Occupational Therapist.  She said that Sam is not ready for this group and can see how stressful it is on him and us.  I asked her for an OT home visit and she actually had a cancellation for this afternoon.  I grabbed it!   She came while Sam was napping which was fine since we weren't going to work directly with him.  Steve had his appt. so I met with her alone which was fine.  I asked her all the questions I had and we went over everything.  She gave me papers on the sensory integration diet.   I still need to read everything to understand a little more about the issues that Sam is having.   Obviously I know what bothers Sam but I'm trying to understand how the brain works with the whole nervous system and each component of auditory, smell, touch, movement, etc.   We have lots to work on with Sam in order for him to get to a place where he starts processing the outside world around him.   He gets overstimulated and shuts down.  It scares me in a way because this is how I get with anxiety and I wonder if I've attributed any of this to him.  I'm not blaming myself but I still wonder.   It also makes me realize how I will do anything to help Sam get better and function like a normal toddler but I still need to help myself and face my fears too.   I guess he comes first though.  Eventually I'll get there too!

Back to the OT visit today- she suggested we do at least 1 outdoor activity with him a week where he can have a positive experience and not be upset.   She thinks swimming would be a good option and we are going to give that a try.   She said the pressure of the water on can help his sensories.  Still trying to understand how it will work and if he'll like it but it's worth a try.  We belong to the YMCA and never go so what better time to get back but now?!

I'm going to work on making a daily "structure schedule" for us to follow with Sam for activities, meals, naptime, etc.  I hope this will help all of us.  Tonight I sat Sam on my lap and we played with playdough on the table.   Tried to get him to play with it at group this morning and he wouldn't.  Tonight he wouldn't touch it at first.   He kept poking it with the little tools but finally touched it, smelled and licked it, lol!   It was a good time! 

We also spent some time scooping and dumping dry macaroni in a container.  He did ok with it until he started throwing it all over the floor then we said all done!   We're also working on putting shapes into the sorter, nesting and stacking up cups. 

Tomorrow afternoon Sarah comes for his weekly visit.  And Wednesday morning we have his scope.   Busy start to the week!  I'm tired already!