Sensory Integration Disorder Support Group

Hi my son was the exact same way. He was like this before and at bed and before lessons and generally. Before the sid dx we were told he may be add. I knew he wasn't as I worked with kids with ADD. The things you mention are great and we did similar with Sam but it was not the whole answer. Sam needed lots of physical contact play. Wrestling rough and tumble with me or his sibs. Sams issue is not he was not aware of his own body in space. He constantly needed to "ground" himslf and still does. Physical human contact did this for him. So we did lots of rough and tumble and "wrestling" before bedtime. Then to calm him down we deep pressure compressions on his limbs and joint compressions. This still gave him the physical contact needed and then we could move to bath and then to bed. Once in bed heavy blanket was a necessity. He had somthing to ground him in bed and he stayed there. Now you still may have to lie with her until she is asleep but do it in her bed and when you are leaving try putting the blanket on at the same time. That way she still have the senory input she needs.
Hope this makes sense and hop some of it helps xxx Katie

Your daughter sounds like my son. He never stops moving. Mom needs a break sometimes. Have you tried a weighted blanket. Even a a heavy afghan can help like Katie said. That didn't work for my little guy. We use Melatonin. You can get it in the vitamin section of any local drug store. I was really apposed to it at first but now love it. We do all the same stuff you do but I'm telling you melatonin has been a life saver. The first time we gave it to him about a half an hour to an hour later we saw him yawn. It was the first time he had yawned since he was a baby. He still needs me to fall asleep on for comfort but the melatonin helps him sleep for several hours. It is not harmful that I have read. It may help you. Many of the mom's with sensory kids and autistic kids use it. Good luck.

Thanks for the replies. When Dad is home, he'll do some wresstling, tickling kind of thing with her. I have a bad back and can't do it myself. That's why I'vd enrolled her in gymnastics. On the nights she doesn't go, she can do somersaults and jump at home. But here lately, she's off in her own little world at gymnastics. Her teacher is great and lets her do what she wants, but while the other kids are lined up to walk the balance beam, she's moving the mats!

I'm not sure what you mean by joint compressions and I'm guessing that deep pressure comp. means a good rubdown.

I hadn't given any thought to it, but it may be needing that human touch to sleep. She has to lay on me until she falls asleep. Wonder if I could get a dept. store mannequin!!

This stuff sure can wear out Mom.

I find that when Gabe has a busier day, he goes to sleep faster and stays to sleep longer. It's a hard balance though with too much stimulation and not enough. He is finally riding his bike which is hleping, but school (am kindergarten) wires him up.
We have the longest bedtime routine though because he needs the down time. Same thing every night since birth it seems. Sometimes I wish I could just read a book and say goodnight. Not a chance.
When he really has a hard time falling alseep, I give him one melatonin.
He's calling me for the upteenth time right now ;}

I can relate all to well to your stories- having a 4yr old little girl who does flips in the bed- its a two hour battle now- since she started daycare she gets a 2hour nap which has not helped the situation- and even we she does go to sleep - there is a good chance she will awake and do more tossing and turning- I will try your suggestions and see if we can make progress

Hi, I would consult with an O.T. Sometimes our kids act hyper when they are seeking sensory input, that's when they need to do heavy exercises to calm the body down. Stephen use to do crab walks backwards this tires them out fast. Also, he does push ups on the wall. I found that a sleep machine works well also. My son is 10 so I've been there, hang in there and try not to tickle too much before bed because then they can't come back down. Alicia

What is a sleep machine Alicia? And has anyone tried melatonin? It was suggested the other day. Frankly the thought of a 'medicine' terrifys me. Even a supplement like this.

We do medications. My son takes Risperdal twice a day, morning and nighttime and Concerta once a day. We needed to use med's b/c he was so unfocused in class( he's mainstreamed). I haven't tried the melatonin b/c he takes the other med's. The sleep machine can be found almost anywhere. One model is made by Homedics it has different buttons on it for different sounds like the rain, seashore, etc. It helps him calm down.

It's also possible that she is actually overstimulated and having a hard time calming from the busyness of the day.

I would try having a calming routine as early as three hours before bed....some kids sensory system has trouble switching gears to calming. Try a 3 hour quiet routine instead just to see if it helps. But if your going to try it...I suggest stick with it for at least a week to see if you can get a result.

I gave julie melatonin for a long time and it did work, it doesnt so much now, but it may help