The head banging was periodically that soon (and now) happens about 100 times a day. He bangs his head on windows, glass, the floor, the wall, coffee tables, the grocery cart, anything basically. Theres never a warning sign its going to take place so its hard to prevent it from happening. When I first talked to his therapists about it they thought it was all behavioral. They thought he was a 2 year old and that was his way to get attention, or his way to show he was mad. I told them otherwise bc he not only did it when he wasn't getting his way he would do it out of nowhere sometimes. I talked to his doctor and right away she said "Sensory processing disorder" We now make doctor appointments to have his head checked to make sure he isn't hurting himself severely. She mentioned Mason wearing a helmet but my response to that was "Give him cusion? It will never stop!"
At our last team meeting I told the team I wanted to focus on sensory. It was my biggest concern. The entire team of 5 was sticking to their guns the head banging was behavioral. But I was sticking to my guns that it was something more. When researching and talking to other parents one of the first things mentioned was autism. About 10% of children with Down Syndrome are also born with autism. As I was reading about autism (bc I don't know anything about it.) I went through the check list and only sensory was the one that matched with Mason. When I talked to his team and asked how I go about seeing if he was autistic the therapists were shocked I mentioned it. I told them I know its crazy but when I look up head banging or sensory issues, Autism is the only thing that came up. They understood why I was mentioning it so they humored me and did an autism test. It came back he was unlikely to have autism. I begged for answers. They didn't realize the extent of Masons head banging until that day. It seemed he was banging his head on everyone and everything. THEN THEY BELIEVED ME! Sensory! Sensory! Sensory! He was searching for that input continuously. I told them the doctor told me SPD (Sensory processing disorder) and one of them said "That's IT!" I didn't realize Sensory processing disorder WAS a thing, or a thing that didn't necessarily go hand in hand with another diagnosis. Whew! I was learning something new everyday!
The team gave me information, websites to look at about SPD and boyyy did I find my answers! There it was, my answers! FINALLY! The sleepless nights and worries were about to come to an end!
A little about Sensory Processing Disorder....
Sensory processing disorder is a condition in which the brain has trouble receiving and responding to information that comes in through the senses
Some people with sensory processing disorder are oversensitive to things in their environment.
SPD creates challenges in performing countless everyday tasks. Motor clumsiness, behavioral problems, anxiety, and other impacts may result if the disorder is not treated effectively.
Children with SPD have trouble integrating sensory input.
Mason was diagnosed with SPD recently so with that we got an occupational therapist who comes weekly to do Sensory Integration activities. When I first met with her she could tell right away what she needed to do with Mason to help him in the long run. She was telling me about the Wilbarger Protocol.
A little about Wilbarger Protocol...
*The complete routine usually only takes 2-3 minutes.The first step in the therapy involves using a soft, plastic,sensory brush which is run over the child's skin, using very firm pressure; it is like a deep pressure massage. Brushing starts at the arms and works down to the feet. *The face, chest, and stomach area are never brushed because these are sensitive areas that can cause adverse reactions.
*The brushing therapy is initially recommended every 2 hours while the child is awake. Therapists usually re-assess the level of brushing after two weeks. At that time they may modify the program. *The brushing continues as long as the individual benefits from it.
The therapist told me this technique is time consuming and it needs to be done every 90 minutes or 2 hours at the most. She was told when talking to other therapists that if there was a parent who would do something to this extent it would be me. So when she came she brought books, print offs, time sheets, and the brush! She was ready to go if I was. The thought of being able to go in public without my son screaming, or banging his head made it worth taking up on the challenge. Where do I sign? Lets do this! In order to start I needed to learn the techniques properly bc I would be the one doing them to Mason. The therapist first did the techniques on me then I needed to do them on her so she could make sure I was doing them properly. We recently finished week one, Mason loves every second of it. (I will blog more on the outcome when we are completely finished but I can say that Mason bangs his head maaaybe once or twice a day now.) ohhh YEAH!
This picture was taken AFTER a session of the protocol. Mason took the brush from me and wanted to do it himself. (we don't do the tummy FYI.)
Along with this assignment the Occupational therapist gave me, she also told me doing sensory activities were beyond important. I needed to do up to 5 sensory activities a day on top of the Protocol. ALOT I KNOW!
Before I had Masons team on board with this sensory issue I started doing research of my own. I made sensory containers, did different sensory baths, sewed a weighted hat for Mason, also stuffed a bears behind with rice so it could be a weight on masons lap to calm him. When I told his Occupational therapist the tools I have used in the past she said "I don't even need to be here!" I seem to hear that a lot but yes yes she did! ha ha.
Hair Gel with food coloring
Color drops bought at Walmart
Sensory to the mouth. Loves Apples
Sensory boxes (Not in love with them)
wearing his weighted hat
Trampoline in the house filled with balls (one of his favorite things to do)
Sensory boxes (still not impressed)
Stimulation from different toys (music,vibrating toys ect)
Jets, cut up swimming noodle for a sensory bath
Some other techniques the therapist wanted to add was teaching Mason to go down the stairs head first, doing the wheel barrel walk with him, massages, bear hugs, firm touch, tighter clothing, sticking to a strict schedule so nothing comes to a surprise to him (has had a schedule since he was a baby.) Also setting a calm environment when he sleeps by having dim lights, soft music. (he has a radio that plays nature sounds such as rain storms, birds, rivers ect)
A few reasons sensory play is important
- Sensory play helps kids comprehend items in their environment- Sensory play makes the data collection process function more effectively for children
- Sensory play speeds learning
- Sensory play increases awareness of a child's body
- Sensory play strengthens the sense that a child is engaging
- Sensory play can provide comfort and calm for a cranky, irritated child
It takes a lot of hard work, dedication, consistency and persistence, but in the end, you will have a thriving child who can regulate sensory input much more effectively.
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