My daughter who just turned 2 a few days ago seems to be in her meltdown cycle again. They seem to gradually get worse each time. I have tried to "prevent" them as much as I can by removing stimuli that causes them, however, they keep coming. When I think I have her triggers figured out, 50 more pop up. I never had to go through this with my 4 year old who also has SPD. She would completely shut down. I am just at a loss for what I can do for her. She is in such a rage that I am worried eventually she will really harm herself. Not only that, as a mother, I feel helpless. The look in her eyes during a meltdown is of just pure pain and I know she is suffering. Does anyone have any advice that I might be able to try? I am treading on the edge off a meltdown of my own
(05-17-2012, 09:30 PM)heatherv112506 Wrote: [ -> ]My daughter who just turned 2
There's a reason they call them the "terrible two's" and your little one has got a double dose of the stress of being two when you add in SPD. Doesn't make it any easier to deal with for either of you, but most two year olds have a fair number of meltdowns. The best you can do is make sure she gets enough sleep and enough to eat, because a tired, hungry kid can't cope with anything at all. Make sure you get a breather from coping once in a while (yeah, I know, easier said than done).
Try to offer her more active "fun" on days that seem risky - more time at the park, more playing her favorite game, or whatever makes her happiest. By consciously focusing on the fun you might be able to distract both of you from the hard part of the "two's".
Thanks Marci
My son was like that at 2. I sent him to time out in his room one day and he actually took the sheets off his bed and pulled all his clothes out of his closet all while screaming like an animal. We just thought he had a horrible temper! But now knowing he has SPD it explains sooo much. His meltdowns arn't nearly as explosive now as he knows not to tear his bed and closet apart. But I actually try and hold him and wrap him in a weighted blanket. sometimes rocking him will help. I try my best to remove him from whatever enviroment he was in when the meltdown started. I try to make him know that I know he's upset and its okay to be upset but I try talking him down. He has a hard time calming himself back down. I'm still new to all this and everything is trial and error at this point and sometimes this doesn't always work
I hope you find out what works for her.
I haven't tried the weighted blanket with her. Just like your son, we always thought Krysten had a bad Temper. She was like that since birth. When she came out, she literally screamed for 2 hours non stop. But now knowing she has spd explains everything as well.
Did you make your own weighted blanket or did you buy one?
I got one from Kozie Clothing. Its great. Eli LOVES it. I will be sending it for nap time when he starts his new preschool in a few weeks. I think I'm going to try and make a lap pad for him to have for circle time. and then maybe I'll be brave enough to try the blanket. I feel like a light switch has been turned on for us since we got a diagnosis for Eli.
Did you pay out of pocket for his weighted blanket? I was reading that depending on the insurance, the OT can write a referral for it and say it is medically necessary and most insurances will cover it.
I paid out of pocket. My insurance company was being a real pain b/c our OT was coming to our house...so they considered it 'home health' and refused to cover any of it. I actually didn't know that about the blanket. I may have to ask his new OT about that
Sorry to hear the insurance company was being a pain. My daughter receives OT at home and the clinic, so I wonder what they will say about that. If they don't cover it, I might just make her one
I love projects like that.
we actually had to find a new OT that our Ins. would pay for. We couldn't afford the out of pocket. it was like $100 a session!