When AJ came home from Russia my husband and I had a list of things we would do and would not do. We also had a very strict schedule for AJ. For AJ this worked best, as he was very hyper-vigilant and anxious about everything. He was overstimulated easily, did not like strangers, (or liked them too much), would not give eye contact, melted down easily, did not have a sleep scheduled due to the time change, and was just an all out wreck.
I remember one morning about two days after coming home I allowed him to run free on …read more

The causes of Sensory Integration/Sensory Processing Disorder are not entirely known because the disorder is neurological and so very diverse. It was first recognized 40 years ago by A Jean Ayres, Ph.D., OTR.

Sensory Integration Disorder is a neurological disorder that results from the brain’s inability to integrate information received from the body’s sensory systems. Those particular systems are responsible for sight, sounds, taste, temperature, pain, position, and movement. The brain takes information it receives, analyzes the information, and tells the body how to react to the information. When a child has sensory integration the brain misinterprets the information it receives …read more

No, I am not talking about food here folks, I am talking about a diet built for the senses…for kids with Sensory Processing Disorder. If you read my blog regularly, you will know that one of AJ’s main issues is Sensory Processing Disorder or otherwise known as Sensory Integration Dysfunction. World Renowned Occupational Therapist Patricia Wilbarger coined the term Sensory Diet (as well as the Wilbarger Brushing Protocol).
A Sensory Diet is a carefully designed activity schedule that provides your child with sensory and nervous system input to help him/her stay focused, alert, and organized throughout the day. It is VERY …read more

Dr. Jane Aronson does a FANTASTIC job of explaining Sensory Integration issues for kids from Institutions.

When I first started thinking about when AJ would come home I was delighted, then horrified. How would I handle a walking, talking, toddler when I had no idea how to even parent? And, how would I handle a walking, talking toddler who spoke no English? That was an entirely different issue. I had friends who told me he would adjust just fine and that the language issue and discipline issue would be no problem. All I had to do was just tell him “no”.
By the time they told me that I had done my fair share of research on …read more