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Children's trouble processing information can disrupt lives(Gazette, The (Colorado Springs, CO) (KRT) Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge) Margo Wells and her husband had always regarded their son, Jacob, as an intense child. "As a baby, he squirmed a lot when you held him," Wells says. "You could tell he didn't like to be held." He also didn't sleep much and resisted when it was time to change clothes or take a bath. "He was pretty happy, he just seemed to always be alert," his mother says. His behavior became more of an issue when he started preschool. "He would scream at the other kids and hit them, and you could tell he was overwhelmed," his mother says. At age 3, Jacob was diagnosed with sensory-processing disorder, which affects a person's ability to interpret and respond to the information he or she receives through the senses. The disorder, first called sensory integration dysfunction, covers a broad range of problems. Some children are hypersensitive, unable to cope with the noise of a crowded room or driven to a tantrum by the feel of a tag in a shirt. Others are under-responsive and seek out stimuli, such as the noise from a washing machine, or have motorskill delays because of problems processing sensory information. A link between sensory issues and behavior was pioneered by Jean Ayres, a psychologist and occupational therapist who brought the disorder to light in "Sensory Integration and Learning Disorders" in 1972. A quarter-century later, sensory-processing disorder is not recognized by the DSM, or Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, a tool commonly used to diagnose mental disorders. And some insurance companies don't cover sensory-integration therapy, calling it experimental. "Sensory-processing problems are very real, and they can be extremely debilitating," says Michael Kisley, an assistant professor of psychology at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs who researches sensory issues. But sensory-processing disorder remains a controversial diagnosis, he says. More research is needed to show whether it is separate from other disorders with sensory-processing components, such as autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD. "In my own research, we often see individuals with no clear history of disorders defined by the DSM, and yet with very prominent sensory-related issues," he says. Rebecca Hendricks, an occupational therapist in pediatric rehabilitation, says she sees more referrals from doctors citing sensory-processing disorder or sensory issues as the problem. "It's probably one of the most frustrating diagnoses you can have because it's not static," she says. Problems may overlap, or children may swing from one type of sensory-processing disorder to another, she says. "I think the hypersensitive kids get recognized more often because it gets in the way of their daily life more," she says. Adults can have sensory-processing issues, too, but they're less likely to be recognized because adults learn to cope, partly by avoiding certain situations, Kisley says. That's one thing her son, now 5, is learning, Margo Wells says. They recently went to a local family fun center. She could tell Jacob was having difficulty coping at the center, but he avoided a meltdown. "When we were walking to the car, he said, `I don't think it's a good idea for me to come back here.'" Adults have greater control over their environment. Kids with sensory-processing disorder who seek to control their environment may be criticized as manipulative, says Tami Lamphere, an occupational therapist at the Child Development Center of Colorado Springs, Colo. But those kids _ from the infant who can't stand anyone's touch except mom's to the child who can't seem to handle a change in routine _ are simply trying to control a sensory bombardment that may be unbearable to them. Those children often are in a hypervigilant state known as sensory defensiveness. "If you put anything else on their system, they're over the top," Lamphere says. Therapy aimed at helping a child cope with sensory issues may rewire the brain and change the way that child receives sensory input, though that has yet to be proved. One method is to combine a "noxious" stimulus with a more pleasant one. Hendricks gives the example of a child who doesn't like vestibular input, which refers to structures in the inner ear that detect movement and changes in the position of the head. For a child with vestibular issues, swinging can be frightening, not fun. Therapy might involve having the child swing on her stomach while putting a weighted blanket on her back to provide a comforting pressure. In addition, Hendricks might have the child pretend to catch fish under the swing, "so their brain is not on this alert because they are distracted." Over time, the act of swinging becomes less threatening. (EDITORS: BEGIN OPTIONAL TRIM) Insurance may dictate the duration and frequency of treatment. Hendricks says therapy can last for years, with the resolution of one issue uncovering another. But Lucy Jane Miller, an occupational therapist who has studied sensory-processing disorder for 30 years, stresses short, intensive bursts of therapy. With three to five visits a week for 20 sessions, "we can make major changes in a reasonably short time," she says. Miller, author of the just-released "Sensational Kids: Hope and Help for Children With Sensory Processing Disorder," is founder of the KID Foundation, a research and advocacy group, and directs the STAR Center, a treatment center in Denver for sensory-processing disorder. She thinks sensory-processing disorder is widespread, affecting as many as one child in 20. But not every sensory issue is cause for alarm, she says. "If they can cope on their own and they compensate, they don't really have a disorder, they just have a sensitivity." (END OPTIONAL TRIM) Some research suggests that sensory-processing disorder is inherited. Jacob Wells struggles mostly with auditory and tactile issues. Margo Wells notes she is particularly sensitive to sounds, while her husband is "really funny about the way clothes feel on his body." Jacob used to run away or fight with his mom when getting dressed. "Even brushing teeth or combing his hair, anything involving touch, he was tactilely defensive," Margo Wells says. He tends to be easily startled by loud sounds. When he enters a public bathroom, he'll cover his ears to protect himself from the roar of a flushing toilet. Jacob goes to rehab weekly for therapy and also is in gymnastics to help with his motor development. He has made great strides, says his mother, who leads a local support group for parents of children with sensory-processing disorder. "He seems like a typical kid. Our family life is much better." (EDITORS: STORY CAN END HERE) ___ RED FLAGS There are several forms of sensory processing disorder. Here are the signs of some: Sensory over-responsiveness: Child bothered by noise in a restaurant, mall or gymnasium; any loud, unexpected sounds; feeling crumbs on his mouth; food textures; fuzzy or furry textures; playing on swings and slides. Typically irritable, fussy and moody. Aggressive or impulsive when overwhelmed by sensory stimulation. Sensory under-responsiveness: Child doesn't seem to notice when someone touches him or her, doesn't cry when seriously hurt, prefers sedentary activities. Typically passive and withdrawn. Sensory seeking: On the move constantly, loves to play music and television at extremely high volume, seeks opportunities to feel vibrations such as leaning against stereo speakers or the washer and dryer. May be angry or even explosive when required to sit still. Typically intense and demanding. Sensory-discrimination disorder: Child has difficulty judging how much force is required for a task or telling what is in his hands without looking. Trouble identifying sounds or following directions. Aversion to playing with puzzles or other visual games. SOURCE: "Sensational Kids, Hope and Help for Children With Sensory Processing Disorder," by Lucy Jane Miller ___ ON THE WEB :The KID Foundation, www.kidfoundation.org, 1-303-794-1182 ___ (c) 2006, The Gazette (Colorado Springs, Colo.). Visit GT Online, the World Wide Web site of The Gazette, at http://www.gazette.com Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Information Services. For information on republishing this content, contact us at (800) 661-2511 (U.S.), (213) 237-4914 (worldwide), fax (213) 237-6515, or e-mail [email protected]. |