does sensory dysfunction go hand in hand w/autism? - Autism Spectrum Message Board

court71 · 06-05-2005, 09:28 AM

Hi everyone,

We are very new to this autism research - just on a hunch that our son has it. He hasn't been officially diagnosed yet, but an OT that we know personally has started working with him, and we are lining up ST while we wait our turn to see the doc for official diagnosis. My question comes in regard the OT session that we had last week. It was the 1st session, and we covered brushing and a few other things, and she gave us a bunch of reading as well as a book to buy. I have since read everything she suggested very thoroughly and truly, honestly don't see where our son fits into any of this.

All of the topics pertaining to sensory integration dysfunction and sensory defensiveness are not all at in sync with him. He main symptoms are: not always responding to his own name and not always making good eye contact - with I think go hand in hand when he is "zoning" or in his own little world and doesn't care about us then and there. The only main sensory issue with him is that he's not a cuddly, snuggly kid. Doesn't like to be held and hugged. BUT he will let you carry him all day long, likes to hold hands, be tickled, wrestle, etc. Just not long periods of holding, cuddling, etc. I truly think that this is just an on the go two year old - not something necessarily "bad".

Anyway, I guess I should get to my point :-) Does all this sensory dysfunction stuff go hand in hand with autism, or are they two separate issues all together? B/c I'm thinking that if they go hand in hand, and it doesn't pertain to him, then I'm not sure he will even get a full blown autism diagnosis... If anyone could shed some light for me as to the likelihood of most/all autistic cases having to do with sensory issues, I'd appreciate it.

Thanks!
courtney

MOM23ANGELS · 06-05-2005, 01:01 PM

autism is such a complex disorder in that you will not find any 2 inviduals with the same challenges. sensory integration and autism are two seperate issues. ofcourse, an individual with one can have the other, but not necessarily. my son is on the spectrum and does not have any sensory problems. he did have some "age related" sensory issues but quickly outgrew them. just like any typically developing child, he did not like the feeling of certain things. one thing i have learned since my sons dx, 2 years ago, is to not over analyse everything he does. i found myself constantly pondering why he was doing certain things (pretty typical stuff mind you) just because he was on the spectrum. good luck with your search for answers. it will not be easy, but you will be your sons biggest advocate.....fight for as many services as you can get.

mommaboyz · 06-06-2005, 03:28 PM

I use to think my son didnt have sensory issues either until I relized all the things that go with it.
My son didnt respond to his name either or wasnt loving at all. But I now relize that alot of his problems do relate to sensory. He hates getting haircuts totally freaks out. And bathes (too until recently.) Covers his ears and doesnt like loud noises. Certain textures in his mouth he will spit out. and tags in shirts he doesnt like either. He always wants his clothes and a diaper on. Maybe it was just me but I didnt think these things were sensory but I guess they are.

Kolby · 06-06-2005, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mommaboyz

I use to think my son didnt have sensory issues either until I relized all the things that go with it.
My son didnt respond to his name either or wasnt loving at all. But I now relize that alot of his problems do relate to sensory. He hates getting haircuts totally freaks out. And bathes (too until recently.) Covers his ears and doesnt like loud noises. Certain textures in his mouth he will spit out. and tags in shirts he doesnt like either. He always wants his clothes and a diaper on. Maybe it was just me but I didnt think these things were sensory but I guess they are.

My son was the same way. Now, tags don't bother him at all. He still hates hair cuts. Guess you can't win them all.

court71 · 06-06-2005, 05:47 PM

Thanks for the responses guys. I do have to question one thing though - specifically with the haircuts you mentioned... do we sometimes not give our children credit for just simply being the age that they are? I mean my son is only 27 months, and I feel like it's o-kay that he does some of the things he does (the minor ones, like not liking a haircut, and running away from me to explore the neighbors yard next door). The 2's are called "terrible" for a reason, and I feel that so many of the "cues" for sensory and autism, etc are things are normal for a two year old. It kind of bothers me that so many of these things are labeled as abnormal... But maybe that's just me.

But back to the haircuts - my son, as I mentioned starting this thread, does not seem to have any of the things listed on the various sensory check lists - so I don't see the haircut issue as a big one, but I do acknowledge of course that for children with other sensory signs it may be a big deal about the haircuts, since it is related to other things. I just think that every kids can't be perfect with no little quirks, but in reading all the books and such that I can get my hands on in the last week since first being told by a family friend who is an OT that my son have issues - I truly feel like they are all quick to jump on every little thing to give it a problem label, when again not enough consideration is given that they are simply doing appropriate things for their age.

Maybe this just bugs me...but I needed to vent!
Courtney