Sensory disorder?

      As Mason is getting older we are noticing change. He is old enough to let us know what he likes, what he dislikes and what he wants. Not by speaking but through other ways. Our family will be sitting at the dinner table and if Mason watches someone take a drink and if his drink is not right in front of him he will spit out the food in his mouth, look at what he wants and make this particular annoying sound. Sounds like he is clearing his throat. My family thinks it is so cute but Mike and I hear it daily, several times a day so we find it less cute. My uncle was eating ice cream, gave Mason a bite I told my uncle to wait a second, then came the sound from Mason letting my uncle know he was ready for another bite. ha ha 
      We were home visiting family and my cousin was sitting on the couch, took a drink of her soda. Mason then started crying, I knew he was looking at her but didn't know she took a drink, so I said "did you just take a drink?" she replied "yes" he was expressing he to wanted a drink. I got him a drink and he was fine. My cousin felt bad and also thought it was funny at the same time.
      Mason isn't vocal just yet but he will find a way to let us know what he wants. During meals if he doesn't like something he will spit it out. If I try to give him another bite of the same food he will whine to let me know, So I try something else and he is fine.
      Ever since Mason was little little, he would be very sensitive to touch. If I put something in his hands he will instantly pull away not wanting that object. Now that he is older this has become more of an issue and he is making it more noticeable.  My aunt took Masons hand and placed it on a milk jug while we were watering flowers, he pulled away. She put his hand on a tree trunk and he wasn't impressed with that either. He pulls away quickly as if he is scared. If you continue to put things in his hands or have him touch things he will cry. 
      I decided to research if this is common or needs to be looked at. As I was researching these kind of behaviors I became concern. There was a list that said the following...

• Excessive mouthing of objects,
• Decreased or no purposeful play with toys,
• Staring directly into lights,
• Abnormal hand movement (such as flicking fingers in front of eyes or waving hands away from body),
• Refusal to hold objects (such as clothing or a spoon to self-feed),
• Self stimulatory behaviors (such as rocking, banging head, humming or screaming), and
• Decreased interaction with people

As I read these I realized Mason does each one of these. The rocking has been his newest we have noticed. He will bang his head on things. I mentioned these things to his occupational therapist, she wanted me to talk to Masons doctor and we decided to set up an evaluation to start a sensory therapy. This kind of disorder is often found in children with autism.

      Mike and I decided to buy each one of the boys a puppy. They are 8 weeks old now. Pets are a good way to establish responsibility for a child Dylan's age (6) and we thought Mason would chase the puppies around and would be a motivator. Also bought the puppies because dad is getting ready for hard core training, and deployment. Need to keep the boys busy. 

      When Mason first met the puppies he was less then impressed. We would sit him on the floor and the puppies would come to him. He would instantly put his hands on his face, then turn away and crawl (his worm crawl) as fast as he could to get away from the puppies. He wouldn't cry but he didn't think twice about what his next move was going to be. He doesn't want to touch the puppies and he absolutely doesn't want them touching him. We have had them about a week now and when they come up to Mason he has learned to push them away. Not aggressively but defending himself. Im trying to teach him to say "no puppies no no!" 

      Our next step is talking to Masons doctor and doing an evaluation to see if Mason has a sensory disorder. I will keep updated. :)