Comments on: Rolling with the punches, in style http://wouldashoulda.com/2009/02/18/rolling-with-the-punches-in-style/ "Maybe all we can hope to do is end up with the right regrets." Sat, 11 Feb 2012 04:39:20 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Trish/Astrogirl426 http://wouldashoulda.com/2009/02/18/rolling-with-the-punches-in-style/#comment-113950 Trish/Astrogirl426 Mon, 02 Mar 2009 14:52:35 +0000 http://wouldashoulda.com/?p=2667#comment-113950 Oh, this seems to be a common thing with little boys (sigh). My guy has SPD too (sensory seeker, just like your Monkey) as well as some Asperger's (which fortunately seems to be improving). Bunker Monkey is a full-body-movement kinda kid, rather than a fine-motor-movement kid (loves running, riding his bike fast, jumping, etc.). So we struggle with getting him that sensory feedback. But I agree with the posters above - some kind of inexpensive bracelet (maybe hemp? socially acceptable for boys, plus rough texture, plus you could have a charm woven into it that could act like a worry stone), or something he could carry in his pocket....Bunker Monkey had one of those chew sticks (we called it his chew toy, because we are bad parents and are going to hell) back when he was REALLY into the chewing. They're great. Good luck with all this - I firmly believe this stuff is genetic, as I share some of his sensory seeking needs - I chew my lips and cuticles, and pick at blankets/clothing when I'm anxious. PS If Monkey likes the bracelet idea and you can't find anything suitable, let me know. I make jewelry, and would gladly make something to his/your specifications, no charge :) We SPD moms gotta stick together!! Oh, this seems to be a common thing with little boys (sigh). My guy has SPD too (sensory seeker, just like your Monkey) as well as some Asperger’s (which fortunately seems to be improving). Bunker Monkey is a full-body-movement kinda kid, rather than a fine-motor-movement kid (loves running, riding his bike fast, jumping, etc.). So we struggle with getting him that sensory feedback. But I agree with the posters above – some kind of inexpensive bracelet (maybe hemp? socially acceptable for boys, plus rough texture, plus you could have a charm woven into it that could act like a worry stone), or something he could carry in his pocket….Bunker Monkey had one of those chew sticks (we called it his chew toy, because we are bad parents and are going to hell) back when he was REALLY into the chewing. They’re great. Good luck with all this – I firmly believe this stuff is genetic, as I share some of his sensory seeking needs – I chew my lips and cuticles, and pick at blankets/clothing when I’m anxious.

PS If Monkey likes the bracelet idea and you can’t find anything suitable, let me know. I make jewelry, and would gladly make something to his/your specifications, no charge :) We SPD moms gotta stick together!!

]]> By: Amanda http://wouldashoulda.com/2009/02/18/rolling-with-the-punches-in-style/#comment-113667 Amanda Sun, 22 Feb 2009 07:24:50 +0000 http://wouldashoulda.com/?p=2667#comment-113667 I have a boy (age 10) with sensory issues as well. He's diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome and your Monkey reminds me a lot of my Bryan when I read about him. The hair pulling... poor guy. I have a niece who pulls hair like this. She is almost bald now. It's called trichotillomania. Although all people who pull their hair can't be diagnosed with this some are. I hope you all can find something to replace this habit with, that is, if it's simply a habit. And quickly. My neice likes the way she feels when she pulls her hair. She said it changes how she feels. She began around the age of 8 and now that she is 11 she still does it... and we've all grown to accept it. She pulls out all her hair though, eye lashes, eye brows, arm hair... etc. She is nearly bald every where. I have a boy (age 10) with sensory issues as well. He’s diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome and your Monkey reminds me a lot of my Bryan when I read about him.

The hair pulling… poor guy. I have a niece who pulls hair like this. She is almost bald now. It’s called trichotillomania. Although all people who pull their hair can’t be diagnosed with this some are. I hope you all can find something to replace this habit with, that is, if it’s simply a habit. And quickly. My neice likes the way she feels when she pulls her hair. She said it changes how she feels. She began around the age of 8 and now that she is 11 she still does it… and we’ve all grown to accept it. She pulls out all her hair though, eye lashes, eye brows, arm hair… etc. She is nearly bald every where.

]]> By: momzen http://wouldashoulda.com/2009/02/18/rolling-with-the-punches-in-style/#comment-113663 momzen Sat, 21 Feb 2009 07:07:42 +0000 http://wouldashoulda.com/?p=2667#comment-113663 Your girl has learned a wonderful generosity (from her mother, I'm sure). Your boy is brave beyond measure (got that from you too). You are AMAZING! Your patience and ability to look at the big picture and hold that for your kids is awesome. Thank you so much for sharing your life with us. I feel honored to be able to read. Your girl has learned a wonderful generosity (from her mother, I’m sure). Your boy is brave beyond measure (got that from you too). You are AMAZING! Your patience and ability to look at the big picture and hold that for your kids is awesome. Thank you so much for sharing your life with us. I feel honored to be able to read.

]]> By: melanie http://wouldashoulda.com/2009/02/18/rolling-with-the-punches-in-style/#comment-113662 melanie Sat, 21 Feb 2009 06:58:21 +0000 http://wouldashoulda.com/?p=2667#comment-113662 Mir, I know exactly how you feel. Monkey sounds exactly like my own son.. Just in case you haven't heard of it, I wanted to tell you to check out the Wilbarger Brushing Technique. It sounds like a bunch of hocus pocus.. i get that, but we had so much success with it. Essentially we brushed my son with what is basically a surgical brush (like surgeons use to wash their hands) This is followed by deep joint compressions (my son's favorite part.) This technique must be prescribed by an occupational therapist and you must receive instruction on how to do it. All I can say is it works. After about 3 weeks of brushing, my son stopped chewing on his shirts, stopped blinking incessantly, stopped walking on his tiptoes, stopped waving his hands in front of his face. After 6 weeks we were able to stop the brushing all together. (We still get the brush out after a stressful day, but that is becoming a rarity.) He still has sensory issues, but not so much that anyone would notice. He lets me know when it gets to much. The other day, we had to drop his younger, more social brother off at the mall to spend the day with some friends.. While we were there, I was talking to some of the other moms who asked why I couldn't stay and join them. My son gave them the greatest answer ever. He is a literature buff and is completely fascinated with Dante's Inferno right now. He told them we had to leave because "like Statius, the sensory portion of my soul is overwhelmed." He just the coolest kid I know. His sensory issues are just a part of this awesome unique dude that I wouldn't trade for the world. Let me know if you want to know any more about our experience with brushing. It was truly nothing less than a miracle for us. Mir, I know exactly how you feel. Monkey sounds exactly like my own son.. Just in case you haven’t heard of it, I wanted to tell you to check out the Wilbarger Brushing Technique. It sounds like a bunch of hocus pocus.. i get that, but we had so much success with it. Essentially we brushed my son with what is basically a surgical brush (like surgeons use to wash their hands) This is followed by deep joint compressions (my son’s favorite part.) This technique must be prescribed by an occupational therapist and you must receive instruction on how to do it. All I can say is it works. After about 3 weeks of brushing, my son stopped chewing on his shirts, stopped blinking incessantly, stopped walking on his tiptoes, stopped waving his hands in front of his face. After 6 weeks we were able to stop the brushing all together. (We still get the brush out after a stressful day, but that is becoming a rarity.) He still has sensory issues, but not so much that anyone would notice. He lets me know when it gets to much. The other day, we had to drop his younger, more social brother off at the mall to spend the day with some friends.. While we were there, I was talking to some of the other moms who asked why I couldn’t stay and join them. My son gave them the greatest answer ever. He is a literature buff and is completely fascinated with Dante’s Inferno right now. He told them we had to leave because “like Statius, the sensory portion of my soul is overwhelmed.” He just the coolest kid I know. His sensory issues are just a part of this awesome unique dude that I wouldn’t trade for the world. Let me know if you want to know any more about our experience with brushing. It was truly nothing less than a miracle for us.

]]> By: mama speak http://wouldashoulda.com/2009/02/18/rolling-with-the-punches-in-style/#comment-113647 mama speak Fri, 20 Feb 2009 05:22:33 +0000 http://wouldashoulda.com/?p=2667#comment-113647 I didn't read through all of the comments, but I was thinking that maybe the hair pulling started because of it's length. You know, it was accessible (being longer), possibly even in his way at times so we was messing w/it anyway... Anyway, my point is that I'm optimistic that maybe, just maybe the hair pulling won't continue. My husband has the nervous twitch thing too. His has manifested in a bouncy knee/leg; it's great for soothing babies. Perhaps you could get Monkey to do this and then sign him up to volunteer at the local hospital. ;-) Seriously, I feel for you and will be saying little prayers for all of you. Kudos the Chickadee for being so supportive of her brother when he needs it. And your kids do have the most beautiful hair eveh! I didn’t read through all of the comments, but I was thinking that maybe the hair pulling started because of it’s length. You know, it was accessible (being longer), possibly even in his way at times so we was messing w/it anyway…

Anyway, my point is that I’m optimistic that maybe, just maybe the hair pulling won’t continue.

My husband has the nervous twitch thing too. His has manifested in a bouncy knee/leg; it’s great for soothing babies. Perhaps you could get Monkey to do this and then sign him up to volunteer at the local hospital. ;-) Seriously, I feel for you and will be saying little prayers for all of you. Kudos the Chickadee for being so supportive of her brother when he needs it.
And your kids do have the most beautiful hair eveh!

]]> By: Lindy http://wouldashoulda.com/2009/02/18/rolling-with-the-punches-in-style/#comment-113643 Lindy Fri, 20 Feb 2009 02:22:46 +0000 http://wouldashoulda.com/?p=2667#comment-113643 If you figure out how to fix this one, please let me know. I have my share of neuron mis-firing problems and whatnots (Different from Monkey's) and I have the same perpetual bangs and bald spots problem. I've never figured out how to break myself of it. If you figure out how to fix this one, please let me know. I have my share of neuron mis-firing problems and whatnots (Different from Monkey’s) and I have the same perpetual bangs and bald spots problem. I’ve never figured out how to break myself of it.

]]> By: Trish http://wouldashoulda.com/2009/02/18/rolling-with-the-punches-in-style/#comment-113640 Trish Fri, 20 Feb 2009 00:34:50 +0000 http://wouldashoulda.com/?p=2667#comment-113640 I,too, think Silly Putty fits the bill well, especially for school. It's cheap, quiet, and safe. A good friend of mine from college went through Silly Putty like crazy. It helped her focus on her studies. At Christmas, we would give her a stocking full of Silly Putty to get her through the next semester. I've had good luck in the past with giving my students rubber bands to stretch. My own son has a bit of a chewing issue himself. His pencils look like beavers live in his desk and he's chewed many holes in the necklines of his shirts. Luckily, he loves to draw and keeps his hands busy doodling most of the time. Congrats on the hair donation...such a great cause! Trish I,too, think Silly Putty fits the bill well, especially for school. It’s cheap, quiet, and safe. A good friend of mine from college went through Silly Putty like crazy. It helped her focus on her studies. At Christmas, we would give her a stocking full of Silly Putty to get her through the next semester. I’ve had good luck in the past with giving my students rubber bands to stretch.

My own son has a bit of a chewing issue himself. His pencils look like beavers live in his desk and he’s chewed many holes in the necklines of his shirts. Luckily, he loves to draw and keeps his hands busy doodling most of the time.

Congrats on the hair donation…such a great cause!

Trish

]]> By: Char @ DigiScrapChat http://wouldashoulda.com/2009/02/18/rolling-with-the-punches-in-style/#comment-113630 Char @ DigiScrapChat Thu, 19 Feb 2009 21:03:45 +0000 http://wouldashoulda.com/?p=2667#comment-113630 Oh, your post made me cry... I can relate! My son is in 1st grade, and we're still trying to work on the "not spinning in circles" and loud noises stuff. Someone suggested a worry stone to us, but we figured a rock in the hand of a 7 year old probably wasn't a good idea for school, so I'm thinking about a rabbit's foot for him to "worry" with. He has a stuffed animal for home that he uses - he rubs the tail of the tiger between two fingers (and o his nose-ugh) on a regular basis to calm himself. I'm hoping a furry little friend in his pocket will work for school! Love the haircuts... and thanks for being so open about this. It surely helps... Oh, your post made me cry… I can relate! My son is in 1st grade, and we’re still trying to work on the “not spinning in circles” and loud noises stuff.

Someone suggested a worry stone to us, but we figured a rock in the hand of a 7 year old probably wasn’t a good idea for school, so I’m thinking about a rabbit’s foot for him to “worry” with. He has a stuffed animal for home that he uses – he rubs the tail of the tiger between two fingers (and o his nose-ugh) on a regular basis to calm himself. I’m hoping a furry little friend in his pocket will work for school!

Love the haircuts… and thanks for being so open about this. It surely helps…

]]> By: AKD http://wouldashoulda.com/2009/02/18/rolling-with-the-punches-in-style/#comment-113627 AKD Thu, 19 Feb 2009 20:23:01 +0000 http://wouldashoulda.com/?p=2667#comment-113627 I like the idea of a rubber band as a bracelet. It seems like the rubber bracelets (like Lance Armstrong's Live Strong yellow ones) would not provide as much of a sensory help. I've known basketball players who wear them when they play and snap the band when they do something bad, like commit a turnover. I like the idea of a rubber band as a bracelet. It seems like the rubber bracelets (like Lance Armstrong’s Live Strong yellow ones) would not provide as much of a sensory help. I’ve known basketball players who wear them when they play and snap the band when they do something bad, like commit a turnover.

]]> By: Megan http://wouldashoulda.com/2009/02/18/rolling-with-the-punches-in-style/#comment-113610 Megan Thu, 19 Feb 2009 16:36:56 +0000 http://wouldashoulda.com/?p=2667#comment-113610 Hey - I have a suggestion for you (Gosh, I bet you're just loving the unasked for advice here). My mom is an occupational therapist, I'll see if she can verify what I say... but I know she used to have this seat cushion for kids who can't stop fidgeting - who need to self-regulate all the time. It's wobbly. You can shift back and forth on it, quietly and non-destructively. It honestly sounds like something Monkey might use to great advantage. She used to have the school buy them for kids to use all day - they'd carry them from class to class and it would help relax them and help them concentrate. DiscOSit Air Cushion. Color: red, Dimensions: 13'' Hey – I have a suggestion for you (Gosh, I bet you’re just loving the unasked for advice here). My mom is an occupational therapist, I’ll see if she can verify what I say… but I know she used to have this seat cushion for kids who can’t stop fidgeting – who need to self-regulate all the time. It’s wobbly. You can shift back and forth on it, quietly and non-destructively. It honestly sounds like something Monkey might use to great advantage. She used to have the school buy them for kids to use all day – they’d carry them from class to class and it would help relax them and help them concentrate.

DiscOSit Air Cushion. Color: red, Dimensions: 13”

]]>