7 year old with sensory sensitivity and deep feeler

[Anonymous]

OP here -after encouragement here - I've scheduled an evaluation. the price is jaw-dropping but I think it is better to get a thorough screening, and get some clarity. If it is nothing, I've spent some money and have peace of mind and know I was just paranoid. It if it something, I'm not wasting time on finding resources/therapies to help....So I guess it is a win/win (minus the price tag). Maybe in part I am afraid of what a fine tooth comb scan will find....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why is this sensory sensitivity only an American issue? You don't see this kind of thing in Russia or China ...

How would you know in a communist country?

[Anonymous]

My DC fit this profile at this age. We started with OT which helped but know that progress is extremely incremental. We eventually did a neuropsych at age 8.5 and then meds. You really cannot “self diagnose” unfortunately. But if sensory issues are something that is happening now start there and see what happens. Know that it’s can be a long road but my child now is a teen and thriving in all aspects of life (a PITA teen lest you think I’m painting too rosey of a picture, but doing really really well).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here -after encouragement here - I've scheduled an evaluation. the price is jaw-dropping but I think it is better to get a thorough screening, and get some clarity. If it is nothing, I've spent some money and have peace of mind and know I was just paranoid. It if it something, I'm not wasting time on finding resources/therapies to help....So I guess it is a win/win (minus the price tag). Maybe in part I am afraid of what a fine tooth comb scan will find....

It’s insane but you will good having a plan as to what you are dealing with

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here -after encouragement here - I've scheduled an evaluation. the price is jaw-dropping but I think it is better to get a thorough screening, and get some clarity. If it is nothing, I've spent some money and have peace of mind and know I was just paranoid. It if it something, I'm not wasting time on finding resources/therapies to help....So I guess it is a win/win (minus the price tag). Maybe in part I am afraid of what a fine tooth comb scan will find....

You’re doing the exact opposite- wasting time and money on an evaluation instead of getting your kid directly into therapy that helps. You’ve been sold something you don’t need to pay for. The issues you describe are actually quite common and have effective therapies - and I hate to break it to you but your $7k evaluation is just going to recommend the *exact same therapies* that you could figure out your kid needs right now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DC fit this profile at this age. We started with OT which helped but know that progress is extremely incremental. We eventually did a neuropsych at age 8.5 and then meds. You really cannot “self diagnose” unfortunately. But if sensory issues are something that is happening now start there and see what happens. Know that it’s can be a long road but my child now is a teen and thriving in all aspects of life (a PITA teen lest you think I’m painting too rosey of a picture, but doing really really well).

There is a wide gulf between “self diagnosing” and spending thousands that most families do not have on a huge battery of tests. I am continually confused why people here believe that things like autism can only be dx’d by shelling out thousands to CAAT or whatever

[Anonymous]

OP here - okay, listening to folks, it sounds like i could take an incremental approach for the sensory sensitivity (therapy sessions/etc) and then do a psych exam, if there are still bigger issues…… i guess i am feeling very divided and that $5k is a lot of money for a diagnosis/ w/o treatment etc??! I appreciate all the thoughts here as it is a lot….

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here - okay, listening to folks, it sounds like i could take an incremental approach for the sensory sensitivity (therapy sessions/etc) and then do a psych exam, if there are still bigger issues…… i guess i am feeling very divided and that $5k is a lot of money for a diagnosis/ w/o treatment etc??! I appreciate all the thoughts here as it is a lot….

You could also schedule a standalone behavioral evaluation with a BCBA to address meltdowns if that’s a concern of yours.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here - okay, listening to folks, it sounds like i could take an incremental approach for the sensory sensitivity (therapy sessions/etc) and then do a psych exam, if there are still bigger issues…… i guess i am feeling very divided and that $5k is a lot of money for a diagnosis/ w/o treatment etc??! I appreciate all the thoughts here as it is a lot….

You’re not made of money. As a parent you need to make financially sensible choices as well as be attentive to your kid’s needs. If you cannot afford OT because you spent $5k on an assessment that told you your kid should get OT, how does that make sense? If you are concerned about academic impacts or autism start the assessment process at school. For the sensory stuff you can find an OT next week.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here - okay, listening to folks, it sounds like i could take an incremental approach for the sensory sensitivity (therapy sessions/etc) and then do a psych exam, if there are still bigger issues…… i guess i am feeling very divided and that $5k is a lot of money for a diagnosis/ w/o treatment etc??! I appreciate all the thoughts here as it is a lot….

You could also schedule a standalone behavioral evaluation with a BCBA to address meltdowns if that’s a concern of yours.

Or with a child therapist experienced in PCIT.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here - okay, listening to folks, it sounds like i could take an incremental approach for the sensory sensitivity (therapy sessions/etc) and then do a psych exam, if there are still bigger issues…… i guess i am feeling very divided and that $5k is a lot of money for a diagnosis/ w/o treatment etc??! I appreciate all the thoughts here as it is a lot….

You could also schedule a standalone behavioral evaluation with a BCBA to address meltdowns if that’s a concern of yours.

Or with a child therapist experienced in PCIT.

Sure, but OP should know these are not interchangeable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here - okay, listening to folks, it sounds like i could take an incremental approach for the sensory sensitivity (therapy sessions/etc) and then do a psych exam, if there are still bigger issues…… i guess i am feeling very divided and that $5k is a lot of money for a diagnosis/ w/o treatment etc??! I appreciate all the thoughts here as it is a lot….

You could also schedule a standalone behavioral evaluation with a BCBA to address meltdowns if that’s a concern of yours.

Or with a child therapist experienced in PCIT.

Sure, but OP should know these are not interchangeable.

OP should know PCIT has an extensive evidence base including for tantrums - and anecdotally, vastly improved my child’s behavior and permanently improved my parenting in about 15 sessions. https://oamjms.eu/index.php/mjms/article/download/9191/8221/105545

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here - okay, listening to folks, it sounds like i could take an incremental approach for the sensory sensitivity (therapy sessions/etc) and then do a psych exam, if there are still bigger issues…… i guess i am feeling very divided and that $5k is a lot of money for a diagnosis/ w/o treatment etc??! I appreciate all the thoughts here as it is a lot….

You could also schedule a standalone behavioral evaluation with a BCBA to address meltdowns if that’s a concern of yours.

Or with a child therapist experienced in PCIT.

Sure, but OP should know these are not interchangeable.

OP should know PCIT has an extensive evidence base including for tantrums - and anecdotally, vastly improved my child’s behavior and permanently improved my parenting in about 15 sessions. https://oamjms.eu/index.php/mjms/article/download/9191/8221/105545

Great! 100 years of research on ABA too. Not sure why any of this matters to you. My point is they are different methodologies with a different focus.

OP I encourage you to research all options and find what works best for you.