Autism is a structural difference in the brain with a strong genetic component. People on the autism spectrum have brains that don't go through the normal culling of brain cells after birth that neurotypical brains do. Although autistic brains do go through a culling at a later age, they tend to be denser than normal brains with more brain cells.
People on the autism spectrum tend to have sensory processing differences. Some are highly sensitive to loud noises, colors, textures, or other sensory stimuli and are called "sensory avoiders" because they try to get away from stimuli that are too disturbing. Others on the spectrum are called "sensory seekers" because they pursue high levels of sensory input by, say, eating spicy foods or running around and crashing into things. Sensory seekers seem to need proprioceptive feedback in order to calm down and re-equilibriate.
***EDIT: I should probably post this information here. Most children with sensory differences have some sensory seeking and some sensory avoiding behavior. See discussions in the comments for more information.***
There are places that sell compression vests and jackets, sometimes with weights. Those can run about $50-150. Compression vests are more for long term wear, say during the school day to help sensory seekers feel secure and able to concentrate.
This is a quick fix that works for us when my 3 year old can't seem to calm himself. I can't always drop everything and give him deep pressure massage for 20 minutes if he's freaking out, and this is another option.
Note: if you feel the urge to leave a comment or send me a note about how you heard that autism is caused by vaccines, poor nutrition, gluten intolerance, food additives, or poor parenting... just don't.
People on the autism spectrum tend to have sensory processing differences. Some are highly sensitive to loud noises, colors, textures, or other sensory stimuli and are called "sensory avoiders" because they try to get away from stimuli that are too disturbing. Others on the spectrum are called "sensory seekers" because they pursue high levels of sensory input by, say, eating spicy foods or running around and crashing into things. Sensory seekers seem to need proprioceptive feedback in order to calm down and re-equilibriate.
***EDIT: I should probably post this information here. Most children with sensory differences have some sensory seeking and some sensory avoiding behavior. See discussions in the comments for more information.***
There are places that sell compression vests and jackets, sometimes with weights. Those can run about $50-150. Compression vests are more for long term wear, say during the school day to help sensory seekers feel secure and able to concentrate.
This is a quick fix that works for us when my 3 year old can't seem to calm himself. I can't always drop everything and give him deep pressure massage for 20 minutes if he's freaking out, and this is another option.
Note: if you feel the urge to leave a comment or send me a note about how you heard that autism is caused by vaccines, poor nutrition, gluten intolerance, food additives, or poor parenting... just don't.
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nylons or tights
a sensory seeker toddler who is starting to get hyper, possibly running around, dumping things out, throwing things, and/or hollering
This sounds easy but sometimes it's tough to find a pair of tights when there's a 3 year old tornado in your house. My only advice is to hurry. When you have your pair of tights, pick up the toddler and hold him tightly. Don't yell or act angry; he's not trying to be naughty, and your yelling will make his brain freak out even more.
When he's still enough for you to begin, hold one foot of the tights by his right armpit and over his left shoulder. Pull rather tightly, but not tight enough to bruise. When the tights are back to his right armpit, simply wrap them over the loose foot end to secure it. Once you've reached that point, the rest of this should be pretty easy.
nylons or tights
a sensory seeker toddler who is starting to get hyper, possibly running around, dumping things out, throwing things, and/or hollering
This sounds easy but sometimes it's tough to find a pair of tights when there's a 3 year old tornado in your house. My only advice is to hurry. When you have your pair of tights, pick up the toddler and hold him tightly. Don't yell or act angry; he's not trying to be naughty, and your yelling will make his brain freak out even more.
When he's still enough for you to begin, hold one foot of the tights by his right armpit and over his left shoulder. Pull rather tightly, but not tight enough to bruise. When the tights are back to his right armpit, simply wrap them over the loose foot end to secure it. Once you've reached that point, the rest of this should be pretty easy.
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I've come across the belief that "sensory seeking kids are less sensitive to input and therefore seek strong sensory experiences to feed the lack of sensory input" in some literature written by one-time experts on spectrum and sensory kids.
I think (and I'm just a parent, not a therapist or doctor, of course) that sensory kids in general tend to receive excessive input from most (if not all) senses, and that the sensory seeking behavior is a way of overpowering overstimulating experiences, rather than a kid trying to "feel" something because he or she can't feel certain things as strongly. If a person gets an itch on his arm, what does he often do? He overpowers the irritating sensation on his arm by providing an even stronger sensory input to that area - he scratches it. Scratching his arm isn't a sign that it was partly numb, just as sensory seeking behavior isn't a sign that those children who cope that way are less sensitive. Not all overwhelming senses can be short circuited by increasing stimuli, of course. If light is too bright for a person, they don't tend to respond by staring directly into the source of light.
I suspect that some therapists have been confused by sensory issues over the years because children respond so differently. Swaddling can definitely calm one child while inducing a panic attack in another, even if they have almost identical oversensitivity to sensory input. That's why it's so important to pay extra close attention to each child and let them teach you what works and doesn't work for them; there is no "one size fits all" approach... except love, attention, and respect.
You sound like an amazing parent and very in touch with your little sweetheart. As you do research and observation, remember that others might be experts on a large population and certain trends of behavior, but you're the expert on your child... and anything they say about what he is, or what will work for him, is just a suggestion, possibly an educated guess. :)
Conny
Also, your son is so cute!
When I tried to swaddle my daughter, she wanted no part of it. It did not calm her; she found the pressure disturbing and was strong enough (and stubborn enough) to get out of my best swaddling job.
BOTH of these children have Autism. Both present at the higher functioning end of the scale, with my daughter much closer to normal than my son. If your child is calmed by deep pressure, this looks like a fantastic method to address it without dropping a packet on the latest craze product. Props to the OP.
On another note, did you also make his shirt? If you did, that's worthy of an instructable in itself!
I've heard of hosiery being used to temporarily replace a fan belt on a car, but I love your use more :P
I'm sure your son will appreciate your contribution to other peoples understanding as well. It is from people who do this (share in spite of misunderstandings) that we are finally overcoming some of the stigmas involved. As my husband and I say, we'd rather people knew and were given the chance of understanding my occasionally very odd reactions than to leave them in the dark and contribute to further misunderstading of these illnesses and syndromes.
Breat 'ible by the way. I may just adapt it for myself. Under my clothes though, so my co-workers don't think I'm stranger than they already do now. :-)
Great idea with the stocking.