Preschool for Toddler with Possible Sensory Issues/Anxiety

[Anonymous]

We are in the process of having our DD evaluated for possible sensory issues (our ped does not think she will get any diagnosis and will outgrow her issues in time but we still want to do it), but we are contemplating enrolling her in nursery school next fall when she is just over 2.5 because her pediatrician thinks it could actually help her because some of her issues are social. I am a bit concerned that it will be too much for her, so wondering when others with kids who have more mild sensory issues put their kids in school for the first time and how their DCs did. Is there anything we can do to help prepare her?

Our main concern is that she gets upset/anxious in group settings with lots of other kids (its not a noise issue, she just doesn't like things like birthday parties, group classes, etc where kids are running around). She also has trouble with transitions and going to new places. She isn't independent at all and is very clingy to DH and I, as well as our nanny when we're working (like always glued to our sides). Some of her bigger sensory issues are that she hates baths/getting her face wet, hates being touched by anyone she doesn't know (and isn't affectionate at all), doesn't play with many of her toys, and a few others.

I prefer to wait another year but DH thinks going to school will be good for her in the long run and help her overcome some of her issues. Would love to know what others think.

[Anonymous]

Where do you live? A small setting with well trained teachers could be a really nice transition.

[Anonymous]

Where do you live?

I think a coop preschool that will let the nanny stay and help on non-coop days might be a good place to start.

[Anonymous]

I would ask for Childfind for an evaluation. She may qualify for PEP which will work on her issues.

[Anonymous]

I have a child like that and he did not outgrow it- it was severe anxiety. To me, it seems like it would be best to wait a year and then reevaluate. During the year you can have take her to my gym classes, library book reads, etc... to practice staying calm. If things don't improve I second the child find evaluation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would ask for Childfind for an evaluation. She may qualify for PEP which will work on her issues.

This is not an issue that qualifies a child for PEP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would ask for Childfind for an evaluation. She may qualify for PEP which will work on her issues.

This is not an issue that qualifies a child for PEP.

I disagree.. This would have described my son at that age. Not to freak out OP but he had some additional stuff going on and was later diagnosed with autism. Get an evaluation privately and start working with your county.

[Anonymous]

We live in Bethesda - let me know if anyone has any good recs there.

20:01 - if you don't mind me asking, what were some of your son's other issues. I have questioned whether there could be something more wrong with DD but our pediatrician assures me she is NT but just a bit "sensitive".

[Anonymous]

Yes, what PP said. The symptoms you describe often (but not always) signify a deeper problem. Get in touch with EI.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We live in Bethesda - let me know if anyone has any good recs there.

20:01 - if you don't mind me asking, what were some of your son's other issues. I have questioned whether there could be something more wrong with DD but our pediatrician assures me she is NT but just a bit "sensitive".

My son was talking and then stopped, wouldn't make any eye contact and was non-responsive when we would say his name (to the point we had a fully sedated ABR test done).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We live in Bethesda - let me know if anyone has any good recs there.

20:01 - if you don't mind me asking, what were some of your son's other issues. I have questioned whether there could be something more wrong with DD but our pediatrician assures me she is NT but just a bit "sensitive".

My son was talking and then stopped, wouldn't make any eye contact and was non-responsive when we would say his name (to the point we had a fully sedated ABR test done).

Same poster again, I highly recommend Geneva Day School in Potomac if you want to find nursery school. I also reccomend Dr. Dan Shapiro as a developmental pediatrician. Good luck!!

[Anonymous]

Thank you 20:55

DD is very verbal and makes good eye contact so those aren't issues for us - although that doesn't necessarily mean anything. She is also completely fine in group settings with adults, even restaurants, grocery stores, airplanes, etc. It is literally just places with kids that upset her - i.e. Gymboree, birthday parties, even play dates at other kids houses or ours. But if it's a room full of adults she is fine.

Does this seem more like anxiety or sensory?

[Anonymous]

Sounds like anxiety to me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thank you 20:55

DD is very verbal and makes good eye contact so those aren't issues for us - although that doesn't necessarily mean anything. She is also completely fine in group settings with adults, even restaurants, grocery stores, airplanes, etc. It is literally just places with kids that upset her - i.e. Gymboree, birthday parties, even play dates at other kids houses or ours. But if it's a room full of adults she is fine.

Does this seem more like anxiety or sensory?

I would ask EI for an evaluation. Your DD sounds just like my DS who was diagnosed with ASD/Asperger's when he was 4. DS went to DH's law school reunion when he was 2 and DS was a hit, well behaved, got along great and charmed all the adults including the deans. DS also passed all the autism screenings by our pediatrician. Most pediatricians can't spot kids with autism who are very high functioning.

It can't hurt to get your child evaluated for your peace of mind and it maybe nothing.

[Anonymous]

Your child is too young to be diagnosed with anything. I would take some parenting classes (managing anxious chikdren) or find a parenting consultant who will work with you to help manage your child's anxiety. Fyi, sensory issues manifest as anxiety, you have to test the sensory issue first I order to calm the anxiety.