Need Tips for Sensory Integration Issues with Oral Defensiveness

Hi B., I am struggling with SID also with my 4 yo, but not with oral defensiveness. I agree with Susan B's suggestions on the books. You can get them at the library. I have read both and you may not be able to use all the information but every little bit helps. Good luck to you.

You know, my son had some of these issues, but worked with an Occupational Therapist for a year and she was most helpful. I also did a search on Google for ideas and found a page with a list.

http://www.childrensdisabilities.info/sensory_integration...

The first thing I thought, which you are probably already doing, is to give many different foods with different textures. My son eats some surprising textures for a kid that has issues (cottage cheese, applesauce), but refuses to eat others (mashed potatoes). One thing is that your child will probably always be a picky eater, but the key is to always offer the food and encourage him/her to take a bite, at least one.

Anyway, I'd do a search for it. Having a child with sensory issues is difficult sometimes, but the child has to learn how to adapt and try new things and overcome that fear. Good luck, and I wish I was of more help.

As you may have already discovered, patience and persistence are keys in this area. I was a special edcuation teacher for intensive needs kiddos and many had varying degrees of sensory issues. One thing I had my students do was use food in different activites...we painted with pudding, molded rice krispie treats into shapes, cut jello with plastic knives or cookie cutters, painted with colored corn syrup (very cool paintings by the way!) I had one student who wouldn't even touch the pumpkin we were carving, the next year he wore a glove and touched the stuff, the next year he wore a glove and put is hand in the pumpkin and helped pluck out the seeds for roasting. Always though I had the excellent guidance from our Occupational Therapist. Also think, could it be the smell, color, or sound of the food besides the actual texture when in the mouth? I wish you well and good luck!!

My son has never been diagnosed with sensory integration issues, but he has always had difficulty with certain textures. He won't eat mashed potatoes (and usually not baked) or pasta at all! He's 8 now, and the only think I can think of is the textures. He's my pickiest eater, and very reluctant to try new things, even when his siblings (older & younger) try and like them.

I try to have a variety of foods available. If he won't eat the spaghetti I made for dinner, at least he'll eat the veggies and have some toast. I just don't really make an issue of it. You don't want food to be a battle!! Keep on stock a lot of foods that he does like. Give him a wide variety. Keep offering him new things, but don't force the issue. You can even try putting it in a bowl for him and letting him use his hands to feed himself; if he decides to play with it, let him! It could be the first step in his deciding it's okay to eat.

Oh, my son has the same thing, but he is 4 now. He wasn't diagnosed until last year, so it is a blessing you have that diagnosis at 10 months--the earlier you recognize things, the better it is later in life. Sensory Integration kids are each different in how they present and what they tolerate, as I'm sure you know, but they are such a joy. Many times things are so difficult, but I reassure you that they are amazing (I'm sure you know that too, but if you are like me, it is always nice to hear.)

As for the oral defensiveness, this is still an issue for us too, but some things that have been suggested to us: a quick lick of a popsicle/ice (harder with younger ones) prior to eating numbs the sensitivity, begin with things they like and try to introduce new things slowly, even if they spit new things out--be encouraged because this is a step towards "eating" (our OT taught my son to spit out food, just to get it in his mouth), and taking the end of an electric toothbrush and rubbing it around the jaw and mouth area just prior to eating. Also, we've found allowing our son to have things that bring comfort at the dinner table helps--his favorite cuppy, a special toy, sometimes even his blankie. The hardest stuff for me with all of this is the feeling like "I'm just not doing it right" and the looks I get for allowing him to do some of the things he does...but just remember, you are momma and you know (and/or will learn) what works best for him and feel free to do what works. It may be weird and crazy, but at least they are eating, or brushing their teeth, or whatever else is difficult. Good luck to you!

hi, B.,
my daughter has sensory processing disorder though not with oral defensiveness. I'm the co-author of a book called Parenting A Child with Sensory Processing Disorder: a guide for parents of a sensory sensitive child by Chris Auer and S. Blumberg, which you might find helpful. We focus on family and parenting issues when you have a kid with sensory issues.

I also highly recommend Sensational Kids by Lucy Miller. If you live in Colorado, Dr. Miller runs the Star Center, www.starcenter.us which is an excellent therapy center specializing in kids with sensory issues. I also recommend Dr. Kay Toomey in Denver, of Toomey and Associates, who specializes in feeding issues. She does amazing amazing work with oral defensiveness. I recommend www.spdnetwork.org as a general info website for sensory issues. feel free to write to me if you have specific questions.

taek care, S.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6O6Cm0WxEZA

Hi B. - this is a brief video explaining SPD - you'll probably also be able to find a link to a video regarding oral defensiveness. There are dozens and dozens of videos posted.

Good luck to you!!

C.