In my PTA class yesterday we learned about sensory stimulation and neuro facilitation and it was fascinating! We read an article on spioworks.com about deep touch pressure garments and how it helps some children with sensory issues with such things as ADHD and autism/aspergers to better function and react with the world. I read another article from the site and copied the most important parts below:
Calming Effects of Deep Touch Pressure in Patients with Autistic Disorder, College Students, and Animals
TEMPLE GRANDIN, Ph.D
http://www.spioworks.com/files/Calming%20Effects%20of%20Deep%20Touch%20Pressure%20in%20Patients%20with%20Autistic%20Disorder,%20College%20Students,%20and%20Animals%20by%20Temple%20Grandin.pdf
Light touch pressure is a more superficial stimulation of the skin, such as tickling, very light touch, or moving hairs on the skin. In animals, the tickle of a fly landing on the skin may cause a cow to kick, but the firm touch of the farmer's hands quiets her. Occupational therapists have observed that a very light touch alerts the nervous system, but deep pressure is relaxing and calming.
In anecdotal reports, deep touch pressure has been described to produce a calming effect in children with psychiatric disorders. Deep pressure stimulation, such as rolling up in a gym mat, has been used to calm children with autistic disorder and ADHD. Children with sleeping problems appear to sleep better inside of a mummy sleeping bag, which adapts to fit the body snuggly. It also has been used to reduce tactile defensiveness in children who cannot tolerate being touched. Foam-padded splints on the arms reduced self-injurious behavior and self-stimulation in an autistic child.
Research on autistic children indicates that they prefer proximal sensory stimulation such as touching, tasting, and smelling to distal sensory stimulation of hearing and seeing. Autistic children will often seek out deep pressure sensations. At various lecture meetings of parents of autistic individuals, parents have reported to me various types of pressure-seeking behavior of their offspring, such as wrapping arms and legs in elastic bandages, sleeping under many blankets even during warm weather, and getting under mattresses. In my case, l used to crawl under sofa cushions and have my sister sit on them. A high functioning autistic woman stated, "I need heavy blankets on me to sleep well, or else my muscles won't calm down."
As a child, I craved to feel the comfort of being held, but I would pull away when people hugged me. When hugged, an overwhelming tidal wave of sensation flowed through me. At times, I preferred such intense stimulation to the point of pain, rather than accept ordinary hugs. On the Ayres Checklist for Tactile Defensiveness (1979), I had 9 out of 15 symptoms by age 10 years. Whenever anyone touched me, I stiffened, flinched, and pulled away. This approach-avoidance characteristic endured for years during my childhood.
At age 18, I constructed the squeeze machine to help calm down the anxiety and panic attacks. Using the machine for 15 minutes would reduce my anxiety for up to 45-60 minutes. The relaxing effect was maximized if the machine was used twice a day.
The squeeze machine device developed by the author consists of two padded side boards which are hinged at the bottom to form a V shape. The user steps into the machine and lies down on the inside in the V-shaped crevice-like space. The inside surfaces of the device are completely lined with thick foam rubber. Deep touch pressure stimulation is applied along both sides of the person's body, with lateral pressure pushing inward onto the body
Although the squeeze machine can be used for younger children, there are many easy methods for applying deep pressure stimulation to children under the age of 5: rolling up in gym mats, "mat sandwiches," and resting under a pile of beanbag chairs. It is simply impossible to hold older children securely using these alternative methods.
Children with ADHD are often strongly attracted to the machine. There are suggestions that the use of the machine may allow reduction in the dose of psychostimulant required to treat these children.
It appears that the squeeze machine may be beneficial to some children with autistic disorder or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and is of little value to others.
-What I took away from this article was that some Autistic/ADHD children/adults who struggle with sensory perception may benefit from deep touch or compression.
The SPIO orthosis appears to be most beneficial for those children who exhibit a primary or secondary sensory deficit which is impairing dynamic stability, postural activation, and movement control. We have found SPIO to be most helpful for children with: 1) moderate to severe hypotonia, particularly axial hypotonia, 2) deficits in dynamic stabilization, tone fluctuations, and unpre- dictable movement control from dyskinesia, 3) moderate-to-severe hypertonia that is compensatory for poor deep sensation, 4) whole body sensory awareness deficits, and 5) some types of sensory inte- gration problems.
www.spioworks.com
Below are other forms of deep touch compression and ideas:
Autism Pressurized Snug Vest
Pressure can help to relieve anxiety by regulating the sensory system when it is overstimulated. The Snug Vest inflates to provide adjustable and evenly-distributed pressure to the sides, shoulders, and back of the torso for a comforting hug-like squeeze without pressure placed on the stomach or chest. The stylish Snug Vest promotes independence as the user can self-inflate their vest in a discrete way to get the exact amount of safe pressure they need. The Snug Vest enables the user to complete daily tasks with ease anywhere they go!
www.snugvest.com
Focus Lappy
The Focus Lappy is a weighted lap pad, that has interchangable fidgets attached to it. It comes in three different sizes/weights, and is a great classroom accommodation for kids who need help sitting still and keeping their hands busy! It has a washable fleece cover, and comes with two free Focus Fidgets. It is super durable and school approved! Kids love it because it gives them permission to fidget, and teachers love it because it helps kids maintain their behavior.We encourage you to try it!
www.focuslappy.com
My Sensory Shelter
We design and build custom Sensory Retreat Rooms for families impacted by Sensory and Spectrum Disorders. Our desire is to create designated spaces in the homes of special needs families, purposed to prevent challenging situations for spectrum individuals from disrupting the entire family.
http://www.mysensoryshelter.com/take-a-look/retreat-room-ideas/
Affordable Weighted Blankets
Affordable weighted blankets, pillows, and vests! By using clearance duvet covers, end-of-line sale fabrics, and purchase poly pellets in bulk my blankets are affordable. Blankets range in size from toddler to adult, lap pillows can be made in many sizes, and vests can be made using pre-existing vests. Poly pellets are used so the products are machine-washable and do not attract rodents. Weight is sewn evenly into a grid of pockets inside the blanket and double stitched for durability.
weightedblankets.wix.com/weightedblanketsmn
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment