3 Year Old Boy Seems Overly Sensitive?

Have you thought about getting your son tested for Sensory integration disorder. My son has it but he has the opposite he doesn't feel things very well. What your describing sounds like the exact same questions that my son Occupational Therapist asked me. I would look into that if it is the case teaching your son coping skills will make life way better for you and him.

It might be worth investigating Sensory Processing issues with him. My mother was a grade school teacher for 16 years and saw many kids with sensory issues come in--she also saw how helpful OT was with kids for whom sensory issues interfered with daily activities.

If you Google Sensory Processesing in children you'll find a great list of possible signs to get you started, but knowing for sure would probably take and evaluation since most kids have some of the symptoms as they grow just normally.

I've been walking that liine myself with my oldest, trying to determine when or if I should have her evaluated. In her case she is hypersensitive to smells--will leave the room in distress if someone eats a food she doesn't like like sliced deli ham or salad dressing. She also is hypersensitive to some noises, although this is improving somewhat, but she still gets visibly distressed if someone uses the hand air-blowers in a public restroom while we're there. And her overall strength and coordination are marginal, which is also common with sensory issues.

It may, of course, just be an area where he is still especially sensitive and he will outgrow it, but it's good to be aware of sensory issues just in case. Here's one fairly comprehensive list to get you started: http://www.sensory-processing-disorder.com/sensory-proces...

Good luck!

It sounds like he has sensory issues and you should look in to having him evaluated by an occupation therpist. If he does not get some work done to help lesson his reactions he could just keep getting worse..he should not be 'toughened up' that would only make him worse..this is more common that you may think.

There is a book called The Out-of-Sync Child that you should look inot..this is a bit about it:

The Out-of-Sync Child begins with descriptions of what sensory integration is and explains how problems with handling sensory input can manifest themselves. Discussions of the three categories of sensory function are provided - tactile, vestibular, and proprioceptive - along with examples of children who have difficulties with these sensory functions in a preschool or home setting. Several very useful checklists are provided to help you determine if you child has any of these sensory integration problems. The book concludes with a lengthy description of exercises and activities that a parent or therapist can do with a child to assist them in becoming less bothered by sensory issues. Parents, teachers and therapists will find the diagnostic checklists of sensory dysfunction and the sensory integration activities to be extremely beneficial

M.,

I agree with other posts that have been made. I have a 9 year old step son that has Sensory Integration Dysfunction. He was diagnosed with this in 2000 and we have worked hard to help him deal with the different sensory issues he has. Some are/were similar to the ones that you describe but also noises, textures of certain foods and language. If you find that he gets overly aggitated in a busy or crowded store, maybe he won't eat certain foods or gags when trying something with a new texture.

This is definately something that can be worked on and over come. I have worked direcly with my step son (he lives with my husband and I) and he can now touch just about anything (sometimes he will stop for a moment but then try again), he no longer gags on mashed potatoes and it has now become one of his favorite foods and he loves to be hugged and kissed, which early on, we could not touch him without him screaming
If you son displays any of the other things that I mentioned, a good book to read while you wait for an appointment with a specialist (if this is the route you choose) is The Out of Sync Child. Sorry, but I don't know the author's name. This book helped us immensely. We also used various Autism books to help with other situations.

I do recommend seeing a neurologist - we had a great one that still sees my step son once per year even though he is no longer in regular practice. He is amazed at the progress we have made in such a short time.

Although this is my first time posting on here - feel free to contact me (if you can) and I can talk more about this with you and how we handled the emotional ups and downs (there is truely a roller coaster with the highs and lows of this)

Good Luck - B.

You might want to bring that up to your physician, these are important things to bring up

In my classroom, I have had quite a few children that don't like touching anything sticky, messy etc. I have a sensory table in my classroom that I fill with different textures daily. Some things I fill the table with are: dirt, shredded paper, water, plastic grass, leaves, goo (cornstarch & water) etc. I also do art in my classroom, painting, gluing etc. I have the children use different tools to paint with: feathers, cotton balls, paintbrush, sponge, feet, hands etc. I encourage my children to partcipate in the activities but don't push them. The children with the sensory issues at first want nothing to do with the sensory or art activities. Usually they will sit at the table or stand at the sensory table watching the other children. I will usually pick up the sensory item in my hand (such as dirt) and ask them if they would like to touch it. If not no big deal. It takes time (usually months) but they have always come around. It sounds like your son is not in day care, so I suggest you try some activities with him daily. But remember give him time. For art you could sit at the table and paint with say a paint brush while he sits next to you. You could ask him if he would like to try, but remember don't push it. The same with a sensory table. Fill it up show him encourage him. You could even leave it out for the day for him to explore on his own through out the day if he feels like it. Just some suggestions that work for me and that I hope will work for you.

M.,

This sounds like a Sensory Integration issue. My four year old daughter was evaluated a couple of weeks ago for a sensory dysfunction. We go to weekly therapy and are advised of different activities to do at home. What I thought were quirks are actually part of the sensory issue.

You may want to check out Out of Sync Child by Carol Stock Kranowitz, M.A., many of my questions were answered in this book. If you decide to look into an occupational therapist, make sure they specialize in Sensory Integration. We wasted months with one who didn't evaluate the full scope of her issues. Good luck.