SI dysunction

[ACHELLEI]

Hi.

I have a 2 1/2 year old girl who has had numerous medical problems (cleft palate, GERD surgery, feeding tube placement, and ear tubes put in b/c of losss of hearing). Now all medical problems have been fixed...hopefully. The cleft palate was about as minor as it could be and has been repaired since she was seven months old. the feeding tube was put in at four months of age b/c of failure to thrive. (probably b/c of sever GERD which made her throw up constantly and a swallowing dysfunction that put what she swallowed into her lungs instead of her stomach). Anyways she is extremely vocal but non verbal and we have been teaching her signs and she has been getting every type of therpay out there for a long time now. She gets therapy from the MD Infants and Toddlers Program at home. We are in the process of getting her diagnosed with what we think is SI dysfuntion. She loves to spin and spin all the time, doesn't like her hands touched and won't play with "textured" things. She hates new things (toys, envronments, people) but is extrmely social once she gets over her shyness with people. I can count on my hands the number of times she has slept through the night. She just likes to get up every night and play (loudly!) in her crib for hours. She had (still has somewhat) a chewing problem which resulted in a feeding treatment program. She likes to suck her food and has problems chewing it. She is extremely hyper and destructive (although not maliciously so). She is DEATHLY afraid of heights and swings and is very unstable in her walking and is wont to observe other kids playing from a distance b/c of it. she is very small, extremely strong, but has very poor muscle tone. She has severe global delays-she "tests" at a range between 9 mos of age and 17 mos of age, and she is 32 months of age. We are going to see a neurologist this week and are scheduled to see and OT (outside of the MD Infants and Toddlers) who has been trainded to dianose SI Dysf. Is there anywhere else I should look for help-or anything else I should be doing? I would really appreciate some help in this!
Thanks

[rosie]

Hello Achellei

I was reading your post about your little girl and I have to say that she sounds just like my little Baby Lily. Lily is 2o months old and was just evaluated and I was told that she has Sensory Integration dysfunction and Developmental Delay.

She started getting therapy about 2 weeks ago. She is getting Developmental therapy and Occupational therapy. She will recieve OT every week and DT every other week. She will not recieve Speech Therapy until she gets a little older. She says a few words, but it is all repetiion.

She is very strong willed and she has problems with eating, she also sucks her food and gaggs all the time. She is still on a bottle too. She also drools alot even when she is eating. She has problems chewing her food and swallowing. She only drinks lactose milk. She has low muscle tone on the lower part of her mouth. She is very clumpsy and falls and hurts herself alot. She doesn't like alot of change and sounds bother her and taste. She is funny too.

She is also lactose intolerance. I have 3 other girls, 2 are on the spectrum too. I hope to hear from you soon. Have you tried Early Intervention, or MhMr They can give you a listing of available resources.

THANKS
ROSIE