Pediatric sensory specialist?

[Anonymous]

We are looking for a sensory specialist for our daughter in the DC area. Any recommendations? We are already working with montgomery county infants and toddlers, but would like to look into specialists as well. Thank you!

[Anonymous]

what sensory issue or issues is of concern? depending on the area of concern, the answer might be on speciality or in contrast a general OT. For example, is it food? is it touch? is it smell??? While frequently related - a child with sensory issues might only require interventions on certain ones. (while the techniques that help with one area also do tend to help with others - e.g., swiming helped us with food and hair cuts....

[Anonymous]

it is touch sensitivity. for example, you put her on the grass and she will just sit there because she doesn't like the feeling of it and won't crawl around. We've been able to get her used to various surfaces, toys, etc, but her development is not coming along as well because (we've been told from the infant and toddler OT) that she is not exploring her world enough due to the sensitivity.

[Anonymous]

OP: while you are searching, you may want to take a look at online resources (google for sensory integration games / fun / ideas). I recall finding great ideas such as:

- putting beans into a baloon
- getting a large bin and filling up with beans and let your child play. As the child desensitizes, you can use rice. Start with larger sized beans first.
- play doh (ther are many types, so you should start with the most hard and less sticky ones. let your child "graduate" from less yukee to more yukee playdohs).
- massage!!!!!
- vibrating toothbrush as a toy to play with.
- play with sand. You might want to start with small stones (but hopefully they are dusty!) and then move to sand.
- run on sand (beach, clean baseball field sand). then "graduate" to grass.

Also I noticed that some areas of the body are more sensitive. If you aer playing with beans or sand, start rubbing those to less sensitive areas first! Then slowly move to more sensitive areas (feet are usually more sensitive then palms, or back is more senisitive than stomach).

[Anonymous]

thank you for the ideas! we've heard of the rice and bean activity, need to do that one still. we're having her "play" with oatmeal and that seems to be going well.

[Anonymous]

From what u say, it sounds like a general ot to work on tactile sensitivity. We us ITS in Kensington. Colette silver but there seem to be lots of good ots there.

U might also want to make an appointment with a developmental ped to make sure there is not something else u should be thinking about doing.

Water play is also good if your child can tolerate it. Fill up a baby pool with a tiny amount of water, let the sun warm it, and get in there with her. toddlers want to be with their parents, so get down in the water, dirt, grass, water whatever with her. Show her it is both safe and fun in the gentlest ways possible.

Let her "help" u with chores when she is a tad older. Washing dishes, ... The dishes don't really get clean but that is not the point, ....
Ak.

[Anonymous]

Do not use infants and toddlers for sensory unless your OT is certified. We are the only place in DC that I know of is floortime. I live in silver spring and I'm going to a place called INtgrated therapy solutions in Kenington.

[Anonymous]

We did an evaluation with Myania Moses and really liked them.