What can I do to help her impulsiveness?

[lovelearnandlive]

My dd2 is adopted internationally and while she does not have SID, she does have some sensory issues. Specifically, she craves a LOT of input. She has to touch and experience everything. She is also an escape artist. She is always running away from me. If she could, she would run straight down our walkway and into the street without a thought. She *is* able to sit and focus with a quiet activity for a long period of time, as long as it's what she wants to be doing. If there's something else more interesting in the room, forget it.

She has therapy twice a week for speech, early intervention, and occupational therapy (which at this point is really just to deal with the impulsiveness and help her focus). Her therapist talked to me the other day about how the impulsiveness hasn't been improving, and that she would probably really benefit from being in a structured preschool program. She is almost 2.5 right now.

I'm wondering if there are any exercises that I can do with her at home to help her, or if the preschool idea has some merit. I know that as she gets older some of this will go away. Right now I would say that she probably has the impulse control of a 12-18 month old. But in the meantime, can I do anything more? We are already doing listening therapy and I'm thinking about investing in a swing here at home. She's also in a gymnastics class twice a week and I spend a lot of that time trying to herd her so she stays focused on the equipment she is supposed to be using instead of running off to do what she wants.

Thanks for any insight you can share.

[Ottakee]

Sounds like you are doing a lot of good things already.

The omega 3 fish oils can sometimes help with ADHD type behavior (of which impulsivity is a big piece). They are safe for all ages, and they actually put them in baby formula now. We use the www.omegabrite.com brand.

My 13dd was just like this as a toddler---actually much worse. She is now on meds for ADHD and doing much better in that area.

[jensway]

I think the gymnastics and swing are great ideas. I know it's hard to think of a preschool when it sounds like you want to homeschool both of your daughters.

My son has AS and when he was 2.5 I put him in a church mother's day out program 2 times a week for 1/2 days. Then at 3 yrs. he went into the church's Pre-K program for 3-4 yr. olds, which was 2 times a week for 1/2 days. When he was 4 he just moved up to the next Pre-K class for 4-5 yr. olds--3 times a week for 1/2 days.

I can tell you that it made all the difference in my son. He got to be around children his own age in a caring environment. There just something that I think they learn when they are young being around others--learning how to sit in a circle for morning sing time, sit at their desks for letter time with play dough or shaving cream. Or how to sit and wait patiently for their snack as not everyone can get theirs first. How to follow another child in line to the bathroom or to the play ground.

That being said after he was finished with Pre-K that was it. I've homeschooled him since Kindergarten. By this time he had seen some of what was going to be expected of him. I would recommended checking into something like this. Look for a small class size, my sons classes could have 12 children with 1 teacher and 1 helper. If you give it a try nothing says it is written in stone, if it doesn't work out then back at home with you.

[Cadam]

Well, she is two! How much impulse control is a 2 yo suppose to have? That said, I would try the fish oils and keeping to a structured routine at home. What area of OT is the therapist most experienced with? Some know a little about sensory issues but don't actually have the training. If your dd has these sensory issues why hasn't she been dx as having SPD?

A swing at home would be a great thing if it is calming to her. You might also look into a weighted blanket.

I don't know if the preschool suggestion has merit or not. Certainly some kids benefit greatly from really good preschool programs but is the OT suggesting it simply because that is what she is comfortable and familiar with? I have no idea.

Preschool wouldn't have benefited dd but I doubt it would have hurt her and it would have given me a much needed break. If I ever have another child with such intense issues I will at least try preschool to give the rest of the family a break.

[cranberrymom]

MY son was exactly like that and all I can say is this too shall pass. He is 4 1/2 and I just noticed that he can finally get out of the car and walk into the house without me worried that he has walked down the street, picked all my flowers or crashed his brothers bike. We just removed all of the safety knobs from our house. It does improve, yes it does!!!!!!
Terri, who has much to be thankful for

[cranberrymom]

Preschool was recommended by the ot and it really helped.

[lovelearnandlive]

Thanks so much, everyone, for all of your replies. I think I may try the fish oil and see if I notice a difference. And I think the spike in her impulsiveness recently was partially due to the time change; she's been waking up too early. We adjusted her bedtime last week to 45 minutes earlier and it has helped a LOT.

My only reference point is dd4, who is a very cautious, think-about-it-before-you-do-it kind of child, so I'm still learning what is in the range of normal 2 yo behavior and what I need to help her with.

As for preschool, I think I'm going to wait until she is three. All the preschools around here that take kids under three are more in the daycare category. Once she turns three there are quite a few good programs that I could put her in a couple mornings a week. I think it probably would be fun for her, and it would give me time to spend with dd4 on her kindergarten work. If it helps her with the impulsiveness too, great. Or maybe she will have grown out of some of it by then anyway. Until then, we'll continue with the gymnastics classes.

Thanks so much for helping me think this through. :001_smile: