During Korey’s speech last week his therapist asked if we noticed how hyper he was all the time and if he constantly was going to us and touching us and jumping into things. Well we’re not going to lie, of course he does that almost all the time. It’s so hard to get him to sleep and difficult to take him places. Well we are now waiting to hear from an occupational therapist.
The speech therapist mentioned the words “sensory seeker” and of course thanks to the internet I looked it up and started bawling my eyes out. Everyone is trying to tell me not to worry and that he hasn’t been diagnosed with anything yet. Looking at the symptoms of a sensory seeker, I can’t help but pinpoint all the ones that match him.
“You may also have a child that craves running, jumping, rough play, bright lights, loud music, and still put inedible objects in his/her mouth well past the age of 2-years-old. This particular subtype of SPD is one that can often be confused with signs of ADHD or possibly even symptoms of mild autism.
For children that are sensory seeking with modulation challenges mainly in the vestibular sense, there may be a delay in toddler speech development, which is also considered to be one of the most common autism symptoms.
Running, check. Jumping, check. Rough play, check. Loud music, check. Delay in speech, check. Keith hasn’t freaked out about it yet, and he understands that some things do match Korey but lately he has just been trying to calm me down. It wasn’t until last night that I really freaked out. When Korey was having such a hard time going to bed and I used the trick of a ‘weighed blanket’. Because we don’t have a weighed blanket I used my arms, like I have before, as weight on him to keep him down and it did the trick and he drifted off the sleep. I was crying while doing it because it only confirmed what I believed.
So I am just waiting for the OT to come here and say sensory seeker. I know having a diagnoses is a blessing but it also feels like a burden right now. Just one step at a time.
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We are waiting for a sensory processing disorder confirmation. Hugs to you.
Thank you. I know it will be easier with having tools to help but some people just don’t understand how much of a blow it can be to a parent. Hugs right back.
Ashleigh, bless you! You are in my thoughts! Hang in there!
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I know the feeling of waiting for the diagnosis but it really does help put it all into place once you have it. Best of luck!!
I know it is so hard waiting for answers. Sending hugs and happy thoughts your way.
It’s so hard to wait. Sending up prayers for you!
We have sensory seekers. Our oldest is on the Autism spectrum, and our younger two have Sensory Processing Disorder. I have Sensory Processing Disorder as well. It can be hard to wait for answers, and yes, symptoms can easily be confused with other diagnosis. As I mentioned, all 3 of ours have sensory seeking behaviors (our two with SPD are also sensory avoiders sometimes as well. It’s an interesting combination!), but they have different disorders. Our oldest was initially diagnosed with ADHD, but after following our gut instinct that it wasn’t “it,” we finally got the correct diagnosis of PDD-NOS – high-functioning on the Autism Spectrum. I know the first time getting that diagnosis can be tough. Hang in there. I hope you get more answers soon!
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Hoping for the best for the little one and you. Good luck!
I hope all is OK. Prayer for you and your little sensory seeker. so cute!
Hoping for the best for you. I know a diagnosis is always a good step because it helps you know where to go next, but it sure doesn’t make the mommy heart hurt any less. You are in our thoughts.