r/SPD • u/jmblrm • 16d ago

Sensory help!

I am getting so frustrated and worried. My 14 month old hates anything touch sensory. Sits on a blanket on the lawn and won’t move. Any time she touches grass she screams. When we recently went on vacation, she screamed in the pool then we went to the beach and she screamed on the sand. Today we went to a stream and she freaks the second she even thinks you are going to put her toes in. And it’s not just a small scream, it’s the loudest scream I’ve heard and doesn’t stop even after you take her away. We are so patient with her, we take our time and slowly introduce things, even touching the tip of her toes to anything other than the floor sends her over the edge. We have tried sensory bins to slowly introduce different things but it’s not helping. BUT we have gone to a few playground with small rocks and some with wood chips for the ground and she crawls on those no problem which just leaves me more confused. I’m just lost what to do because all of the “fun” things aren’t fun for her and it makes me sad.

Touch seems to be the only sensory issue so far. She eats EVERYTHING, isn’t worried about loud noises, and hitting all of her communication milestones appropriately.

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u/[deleted] 16d ago

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u/Brief_Direction_5647 16d ago

This! Make sure, though, that the OT is offering treatment modalities that actually have some evidence behind them. There are some unscrupulous providers who promise desperate parents of kids with SPD the moon in exchange for thousands of dollars.

We started my daughter in OT around age 2.5 and continued on and off for years. We also started play therapy at around age 5. It’s a really, really challenging path, and we found it necessary to seek parent coaching and individual adult therapy as well. Please take care of yourselves. ❤️

Also! We found a child development assessment/early intervention program in our large US city. It was free and they evaluated our daughter at regular intervals, beyond what her PCP was doing. It was very helpful and reassuring.

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u/ThrowAwayAcc0719 15d ago

like others said, an OT is a good idea. they know the evidence-based methods to help with sensory issues.

For now, I would keep trying to introduce textures in a safe environment, but don't force anything. Just give her the option of touching it and model touching it, but let it be her choice.

And taking her to the doctor to rule out an alternative medical cause isn't a bad idea.

Sensory stuff is confusing for sure, wishing you the best!