anyone have experience of this?

if my son cant do something, its too hard or it doesnt turn out right or hes told no - he tends to start punching himself in the head, hitting his head on something he'll bite his toes or punch his legs

sensory thing?

My son would hit himself in the head or bang his head, or hit the table or floor. I think it's frustration more than anything. He doesn't do it quite as much as he did. I try to get him to explain what the problem is. Doesn't always work but sometimes does.

Have you tried redirecting it/teaching him its ok to headbut a pillow instead kind of thing? Just wondering if it can be corrected with input? Hes done it since he was tiny - "time out" always ended up him taking his socks off and biting his toes till they bleed and he always goes for his toes if hes in the car. School say he punches and kicks the wall for absolutely no reason and just kicks and kicks until hes restrained using team teach. He has gone to put his fist through glass doors before now whilst at school - not noticed him do it at home but then he has some kind of retreat at home with his weighted blanket and blackout blinds.
OT is going into school to tell them what to do in terms of sensory diet on Tuesday so am going in as well to see what we can implement from it at home

Some of the self damage is due to sensory problems. I will scratch myself bloody often. I don't even realize I do it. I just start scratching when I am stressed. I HAVE to keep my nails as short as possible. That is the only way I keep from having to deal with lots of overly scratched skin and blood.

Try to redirect punching to punching bags or pillows.

I sometimes have to touch parts of my head hard to keep me focused when sensory input is causing me troubles. My head is usually not the problem (most often it is my legs), but for some reason touching points on my head keeps it under control. The standard cranial points taught by the OT are not the ones I have to press. If I touch the recommended points I will fall from the huge burst of pain.

Meditation class might help children who haven't learned yet how to self deal with sensory input. Sometimes just having friends and family telling me to take a deep breathes helps me to reset.

thanks beck

(03-04-2012, 06:40 PM)beck7422 Wrote: Some of the self damage is due to sensory problems. I will scratch myself bloody often. I don't even realize I do it. I just start scratching when I am stressed. I HAVE to keep my nails as short as possible. That is the only way I keep from having to deal with lots of overly scratched skin and blood.

Try to redirect punching to punching bags or pillows.

I sometimes have to touch parts of my head hard to keep me focused when sensory input is causing me troubles. My head is usually not the problem (most often it is my legs), but for some reason touching points on my head keeps it under control. The standard cranial points taught by the OT are not the ones I have to press. If I touch the recommended points I will fall from the huge burst of pain.

Meditation class might help children who haven't learned yet how to self deal with sensory input. Sometimes just having friends and family telling me to take a deep breathes helps me to reset.

Reading this brings tears to my eyes- This is the first time Ive ever written about it- I have been picking at my scabs since I was a child ( my apologies for being so candid) from stress, nervousness or anytime I was upset. I never connected it to sensory problems. I have gone to therapists who have touched on it lightly but never delved into it very far. I still struggle with it- thankfully now I have a great support system of family and friends..It is nice to know that I'm not alone.

(03-15-2012, 09:38 PM)simzee Wrote:

(03-04-2012, 06:40 PM)beck7422 Wrote: Some of the self damage is due to sensory problems. I will scratch myself bloody often. I don't even realize I do it. I just start scratching when I am stressed. I HAVE to keep my nails as short as possible. That is the only way I keep from having to deal with lots of overly scratched skin and blood.

Try to redirect punching to punching bags or pillows.

I sometimes have to touch parts of my head hard to keep me focused when sensory input is causing me troubles. My head is usually not the problem (most often it is my legs), but for some reason touching points on my head keeps it under control. The standard cranial points taught by the OT are not the ones I have to press. If I touch the recommended points I will fall from the huge burst of pain.

Meditation class might help children who haven't learned yet how to self deal with sensory input. Sometimes just having friends and family telling me to take a deep breathes helps me to reset.

Reading this brings tears to my eyes- This is the first time Ive ever written about it- I have been picking at my scabs since I was a child ( my apologies for being so candid) from stress, nervousness or anytime I was upset. I never connected it to sensory problems. I have gone to therapists who have touched on it lightly but never delved into it very far. I still struggle with it- thankfully now I have a great support system of family and friends..It is nice to know that I'm not alone.

I've done the same since I was a child... It's really nice to know that I'm not alone.