Older child with SID/SPD

[Meg5]

Anyone out there with a teen with SID/SPD? My son (16) has it. It was a major problem when he was younger. We did LOTS of therapy, yet he still had issues that we had to work around, mostly involving gross motor skills, but also smells , food, and noises. So, now it is more manageable, but he is still quite limited in his ability to do gross motor movements. One concern I have is that he gets a bad headache and nausea when he attempts big movements, especially bending over and standing back up. He recently decided that he was interested in karate. This is astounding considering his history. This kid barely moves! Well, he is honestly trying, but gets the headache and nausea. He is awkward and unbalanced, but trying. Any thoughts? thanks, Megan

[NCW]

Sounds like a vestibular issue. Did his earlier treatment target that area specifically?

[Meg5]

We did listening therapy, which helped quite a bit. Not sure if anything else was for that specifically. What types of activities are for vestibular issues? Think we can do anything now? Megan

[KarenAnne]

An OT should be able to work on vestibular issues; I would suspect that different therapists approach it differently and with different results. But the biggest success we have had has been with horseback riding. Is there a therapeutic riding program in your area? Often kids qualify for this at reduced rates and they work VERY SLOWLY with movement with quite disabled kids, so I would think they could work with someone like your son. Scientists are just beginning to discover that the rocking motion, which makes kids have to find and re-fine their center of balance on a horse, makes brain connections and produces various chemicals that help all kinds of motor, visual, and other deficits.

Your son is so very brave to want to try out karate with the physical problems that result from movement -- I applaud him, and you for letting him do this because I suspect it must be agony to watch him go through this too.

By the way, what does his pediatrician or primary doctor say? Has he sent your son to any specialists -- nerve specialist, neurologist, etc?

[Meg5]

KarenAnne, thanks for your kind response. It really is agony to watch him. It always has been. And thanks for your suggestions. I have not talked to the primary doctor yet. I thought I would come to the experts first! We did so much therapy with my son for so many years that we got to a point where we thought this was as good as it will get. A couple of our therapists told us that. He still has significant SID issues and now also has social phobia. I wonder how much of his social awkwardness is related to his physical awkwardness. Oh, and he is really big. He is actually not quite 16 yet and is 6'3" and 280lbs. That sure doesn't help! Thanks for listening! Megan