Asperger Syndrome and Sensory Overload

When my son had reached the age of 3 he wasabout kids with breath holding spell who will faint
nearly impossible to handle. He would never gowhenever they don't get their way or want more
outside, refused to play with toys or go with mecandy. This was different and it was obvious to
into the playground to play with the equipmentus it was related to sensory issues.
there. He was scared when he was lifted off theFor us help started in the form of an ORT who
ground and was terrified of swings and othervisited us at home. She had specialized in Sensory
equipment that would move. He was the only kidIntegration Therapy and explained me all about it.
on the block who would never go on a kiddy-ride.Since we felt we had noting to loose we started
He was unable to take a shower because heright away. It turned out the best thing that had
could not stand the water in his face, let alone gohappened to all of us! Even though the therapy is
to the pool and swim! He was unable to get hisrelatively easy to do and so much fun to
hands dirty so playing with water and sand wasparticipate in with your child, the results I have
impossible. He refused to put on new clothes dueseen in my son were amazing. His therapy
to the tags inside and was not able to eat solidinvolved brushing, joint compression and sensory
food until the age of 3 and a half. I thought allstimulation which have led to him calming down,
three year old were this difficult to handle!being able to relax, eat solid foods and
Apart from him being inside the house all day Icommunicate with us in a much better way. He
was inside the house all day too. I was nothad so much fun doing it and it was never boring.
allowed to sing, hum or whistle let along turn on aAfter an initial 4 months of therapy at home he
radio. He could not stand bright light or loud noiseswas able to go over to the practice of the ORT.
so he walked around all day with his ears coveredShe had a huge swing set up for him, tunnels to
with his hands. Even a simple thing as flushing thecrawl in, lost of soft materials to play with, music
toilet was impossible due to the loud sound theand all other fun stuff to keep my active toddler
water produces. I was unable to go out with himentertained. The results were amazing:
or visit friends with other kids. They were tooHe started using different kinds of words and
loud. He would faint when the crowd on a birthdaymore words then ever before, we could go out,
party would burst out in singing Happy Birthday.visit other families and go to the playground. The
For him this noise came out of the blue. A visit tofirst time he asked if he could go on a kiddy ride I
the supermarket was a disaster due to all thecried. He took swimming classes and now goes to
loud noises and background music. On top of thatthe pool once a week. But the best reward of all
he fainted about 6 times a day due to sensoryis: he has not fainted anymore from the day the
overload. His nails and lips would go blue and hetherapy started. I strongly believe all kids with
stopped breathing in, just out until his body wentoversensitive senses can benefit from this
into complete shut down. He started this when hetherapy, specially those with autism.
was a 3 month old baby. We are not talking