FoggyRock General Forum
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#1 2008-04-02 15:29:49
- Crofty
- Member
- Posts: 30
Help - uncomfortable in his own skin!
As you may or may not be aware I have two sons with autism both at the opposite ends of the spectrum. The issue we are having at the moment is with our 4 year old and I think it's another sensory one!
I noticed it about a month ago and it seems to be gradually getting worse. His mood changes he gets extremely distressed and rubs his legs and arms. It is almost as if he is uncomfortable in his own skin.
He is a non verbal child who usually requests touch by guiding our hands to him, now when his mood changes we cant do anything at all.
We can't even work out a pattern to this behaviour. They haven't mentioned he does it at school, we haven't changed our washing powder, he isn't eating anything different apart from a few too many raisons and he's drinking the same.
It's so distressing for him and us!!! We just want to comfort him.
We were discharged from our usual specialist a while ago when he started with some more agressive challenging behaviours and referred to CAHMS - (Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services) these behaviours have now stopped and our therapist is on leave! Our occupational therapy sessions have stopped now he has started full time school and our old OT is on leave!
I don't know who to turn to apart from my friends at foggy rock.
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#2 2008-04-03 17:04:45
- cjkellie
- Member
- Posts: 25
Re: Help - uncomfortable in his own skin!
well a few things come to mind... could the time change be throwing him off - how about the weather? does he have allergies? maybe sinus are bugging him??
Does a bath help him? do you have access to a pool? some parents have found brushing to help with sensory but that's didn't help out here . My son likes deep pressure.
Are you having any sleep issues? I wish I could offer some advice but that's all I can think of right off.. I will give it some more thought.
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#3 2008-04-04 03:58:09
- Bubs :)
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- Posts: 24
Re: Help - uncomfortable in his own skin!
My son has sensory intergration dysfunction which sits under his umbrella of Autism. He has very dry skin and is often scratching and picking at his skin. He loves the shower and gently apply dry skin creams. We also use a baby hair brush in the morning as soon as he wakes which helps to ground him. along the arms and legs and back you have to also gently pull each finger and toe from the base to the tip. Our OT specialist explained that he needs to be grounded as it is very difficult for him to understand where his body starts and finishes... Apparently this is something that babies have to learn as when they are new borns they just feel that are a part of everything and as they develop this changes.. Children with sensory problems need a little extra help. If you can look up sensory integration dysfunction it is amazing and there are lots of different things to try.. Good luck regards Bubs in the UK x x
Last edited by Bubs :) (2008-04-04 03:59:55)
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#4 2008-04-04 04:01:45
- Crofty
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- Posts: 30
Re: Help - uncomfortable in his own skin!
Hi cjkellie, I don't think it's the time change as he started about 5 wks ago and he doesn't have any allergies as far as we know! It may be his sinus as he has a very bad cold right now. I've tried brushing him which is ok if his anxiety levels haven't already got too high. He usually sleeps ok and he does like water so I'll try the bath or shower a couple of times a day. Thanks. x
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#5 2008-04-04 04:05:26
- Crofty
- Member
- Posts: 30
Re: Help - uncomfortable in his own skin!
Hi Bubs I think I just need to work through the timeing of when I do try these things, but it does make a lot of sense the grounding! It's just doing it before he gets too anxious. I will look into sensory integration dysfunction a little more as I do think his sensory issues have been heightened by not feeling well. Thanks. x
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