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5757880 tn?1395578022

Dietary Questions

Hello again! :)
(yes, I'm usually this cheery)

Okay, I have started my son (who is diagnosed ADHD) on a high protein diet (mostly in the morning). He refuses to eat eggs (we've tried all kinds), but I have gotten him bacon, sausage and yogurt with extra protein and no dyes in it.

I have him taking a Omega 3/DHA gummy in the morning.

We cannot allow any types of nuts in the house (I know, high protein) because my youngest is severely allergic to peanuts.

Is there anything else I should try? Protein smoothies and if so, does anyone know any good recipes?

I was told the high protein will help him and also possibly extend his medication.

Thanks!
23 Responses
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757137 tn?1347196453
Oddly enough my father acquired this sensory problem after having had a stroke. Any tactile sensation disturbed him. It was a difficult problem.
Helpful - 0
189897 tn?1441126518
COMMUNITY LEADER
        Methylphenidate  takes about 15 to 20 min to become active and has a maximum duration of four hours.  There is a chance that the meds are not working for him from 1:30/2:00 till 3:00.   Is that when he is having a lot of his problems?  
        I am sure the nurse is a nice person.  I have always had a great deal of admiration and respect for every school nurse I have worked with.  Just kind of curious about his pill schedule.  I would think that taking his med just before going to school and then again around noon and after school might work out better?   Did his doctor decide on that schedule?  What was the logic behind it?
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5757880 tn?1395578022
I have been told he gets his meds at 1030 and 230. I have spoke to the nurse and she told me if the kids don't come down to her office, she will hunt them down :)
She seems like a really nice person.
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189897 tn?1441126518
COMMUNITY LEADER
   I am glad to hear that the meds seem to be working (at least part of the time).  Wondering if the problems in the afternoon could also be because he doesn't always get his meds at lunch?  Does the nurse call him in everyday?  Any way of knowing if he really gets his meds at  lunch time?
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973741 tn?1342342773
I do think that every single person has some sensitivities to 'something'.  I can't stand turtlenecks.  I don't wear them.  I have the urge to constantly tug at it as I don't like that clingy feeling around my neck.  But . . .  if I had to wear it, I could.  That's the difference.  Kids that have faulty processing get a signal that whatever is bugging them is so bad they can't take.  Young kids cry and melt down over it.  Older kids like my son can't think of anything else but that something they are wearing is bugging them.  Can't do that math problem because the tag on their shirt is scratching them.  That tag# that tag!!!!  Get that tag off!!!!  They can't cope.  You say you've seen people/kids like this so you know what I'm talking about.  

but agreed that most people have things that bug them and personal preferences that are sensory related.  It's part of the disorder when it is bad to the point of causing major reactions.  My younger son will tell me he can't wear X because it is uncomfortable.  But he doesn't have a fight or flight response to it like my older one.

Ha, it's a pain though.  Last year, my son had several long sleeve shirts.  Overnight his arms must have grown (literally). . .  and when getting ready for school the next day---  every shirt he'd been wearing now didn't feel right because the sleeves hit too high above the wrist.  And anything I'd bought in a bigger size ---  the sleeve went over the wrist, also uncomfortable.  He started wearing t shirts in the winter to avoid the problem.  Whatever.  Lots of kids wear t shirts so he 'looked' normal . .  .  but it was because no sleeves felt right to him.  I just go with it because that stuff to me isn't worth any type of battle.  

Anyway, I've shopped til I've dropped to get the right socks he can wear that don't bug him, he has underwear and t shirts without tags, he's good.  AND, brushing helped him so that he can wash his hands without acting like he's in pain.  He still can hardly stand if water splashes on his shirt front . . .   but he no longer runs down the school hall screaming about it.  :>)  
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973741 tn?1342342773
I do really want to commend you for working so hard on behalf of your child(ren).  THIS WILL make a huge difference, I assure you.  Keep me in the loop.  I think you do have things in place that can help your son very much.  You're doing great and have really stepped up to the plate.  I love to see that in a parent!
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5757880 tn?1395578022
I'm not completely sure why the psych wants the anti-psychotics but I think it's due to:

(1) She is still trying to rule out PDD/Asperger's and those are the meds they give to children with that.

(2) I think she is under the impression the ADD meds aren't working, which I had to tell her they are when he is with us; just has issues at school and I think it's due to the lack of structure at school.

Thank you for the information! My husband and I are currently working on finishing up the basement and setting it up for him with the trampoline, ball pit and obstacle. I took him to the park today and we did a bunch of activities and we have started yoga. I also have him assist me more around the house, heavy lifting and such.
We do have a Y here and I'm looking into lessons for him for swimming. They have been great with my youngest going there for pre-school and they know about my oldest, so I'm hoping they will work with us.
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5757880 tn?1395578022
I can understand how people might view it as possibly being over-protective or being overly-sensitive but with my son it's more than just textural food. At a young age, he showed signs of having possible sensory issues. Things like the food, clothing, he has a hard time letting people (even myself and husband) touch, hug, or hold his hands. He has to initiate contact rather than anyone else. He hates brushing his teeth, brushing his hair. He hates tags on his clothing, saying they "hurt" him.
Also, through the evaluation there were more issues such as his eye tracking, motor skills, eye-hand coordination, etc.

Usually, when I feel there is something going on with my children. I question myself first to see if perhaps I'm being overly-sensitive. However, I have had to trust my gut and but heads with people just so I could be heard and advocate for my son.
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5757880 tn?1395578022
He seems to be doing well on the meds mostly when he is with us. Usually I get a message from the school stating he has done something socially inappropriate (IE: getting into kid's faces, trying to make them laugh, pushing in play) or that he is unfocused or off task. It's back and forth too; one day is good, another not so good.
Mind you, the afternoon classes at school are very unstructured and that is when he seems to have most of his issues. During the wraparound meetings we give the school ideas, but all we hear it, "We cant have him do that... it will disrupt the class" Well, he supposedly is already disrupting the class so having him step out and walk to the office and back doesnt seem like a bad idea. :)
Also, certain teachers in his ops classes (IE: art and pe) won't follow the behavioral plan and I told the school if those teachers were not willing to follow what we set forth, I dont want to hear their complaints.
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757137 tn?1347196453
I am not pooh-poohing it. I was merely wondering if the mother was being overly sensitive about the child's preferences. I have actually known someone with sensory problems, so I know what you are talking about. But there are also children who are rather fussy, but whose behavior is not out of the ordinary.
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189897 tn?1441126518
COMMUNITY LEADER
   Agree completely!
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973741 tn?1342342773
I just wanted to say that I also am perplexed why antipsychotics are coming up.  If your son is on add/adhd medication and it isn't working---  there is a chance that the symptoms he's having are sensory symptoms and not that of add/adhd.  Just a thought.

Here's what I would do-----  since you will only be doing OT once every other week (we did it once a week which even then, I had to do this same thing)----  it is up to you to provide a full sensory diet daily for him.  OT is for an hour so I really believe that improvements that a child makes happen when parents really embrace the sensory diet and work it every single day at home.  

You need a list of activities that you can do in the house (when weather is bad or it is evening) and outside of the house and then make sure he has about an hour or more every day.  I went to parks in the rain and sleet to hang off the monkey bars, run up the sides when no one else was there (when that is dangerous), climb the play structures and jump off into the mulch.  We went on hikes where I'd look for things to climb over, crawl under, pick up and move that was heavy.  We found an indoor play ground that actually was a place that sells play sets and trampolines and we bought a membership----  we'd go jump on a trampoline and play on the play sets (where they had tire swings that would spin too) on rainy or cold days.  I signed my child up for swim lessons (we joined the Y which isn't that expensive . . .   and if you know anyone who is a member, you both can get 20 percent off for a year!, they also run specials for memberships AND, if there is an income issue, they have sliding fee scales)---  swim lessons were really inexpensive this way.   And they have open swim so you can get in the pool with him too.  Swimming is a perfect sensory activity----  and while you are managing through this time period and it is hard, you also have to think big picture---  how is he going to manage his sensory when he is older.  My son is now 10 and swimming is one of his 'things'.  He swims on a USA swim team and while he does like the competitive nature of it, it is very noticeable to HIM how much better it makes him feel.  He'll probably be a swimmer for life.  

Inside, I would set up obstacle courses.  I got one of those tunnels kids crawl through, I had a small rocking horse, sit and spin, etc. and would set up a long obstacle course where he would have to crawl on all fours, go up over a coffee table, back under a side table,  do some push ups, rock on the horse, crawl some more, jump over a rope,  and do the sit and spin.  He loved it.  And frankly, his little brother did too as I'd have them both do everything both inside and out that I set up for my sensory kid.  We would make crash pads of pillows and my son would crash into it.  (crashing is something sensory kids love).  We did animal walks.  We played games laying on our bellies.  We would job around the circle of our house (our house flows in a circle) or march slapping feet down.  We did the sensory pressure things of rolling a big ball on him, placing pillows on him and making a sandwich, having him roll up tight in a blanket like a burrito, etc.

I watched what they did in OT carefully and tried to mimic the sensory play.  

And did it every day as much as I could fit in.  And it make a world of difference.  

They will also give you strategies to use with him and make sure you do it.  I was taught how to handle tantrums and meltdowns.  AND, how to spot them coming and tools to use to head them off at the pass.  As my son got older, we could talk about it together and strategize together about how HE could handle things.  Before someone would come over to play. . .   he and I would make a plan of how he could handle something if he was starting to get upset.  He would excuse himself for a minute, go to his room where he had something heavy to put on top of him (a weighted blanket) which calmed him right down.  Then his friend wouldn't see him get upset and he was taking care of himself.  Really wonderful because as time went on . .    he would just exit for a few minutes and come right back verses blowing up with a friend present who then would be uncomfortable.  And, the better regulated he is through the sensory activities----  the less that would ever happen.  

Anyway, I just thought I would mention it to you.  I put in so many hours early on that my job is so much easier now.  My son is doing really well and things have switched to his managing himself rather than my being as involved.  but it was almost a full time job for a long time to help get him regulated.  

I do wonder about something----  is your school year almost over?  I imagine they are going to say they want to wait until next year to evaluate.  If you want this done in these last few weeks of school, I would not delay.  By law in my state, a parent has a right to request a full evaluation every 3 years.  Find out what the laws are in your state.

But I do have a concern about your psych who wants to put him on antipsychotics (although they are being proactive which is good in terms of wanting the school to step up to the plate) and your OT that says they can't diagnose and don't seem to be guiding you very well.  Do your own research and study sensory like crazy.  And add/adhd if that is also going on.  

good luck
Helpful - 0
189897 tn?1441126518
COMMUNITY LEADER
   Given the winding down of the school year, I would have a letter with you (in case they blow off the testing) addressed to the school principal asking for an evaluation under the "Individual with Disabilities Education Act" (IDEA).  The school must respond within a set time period.  Your state department of education website will have the information on how much time they are allowed before they respond.
    Completely agree with you about the anti-psychotics.  How is he doing on his meds.  Any changes or the good or bad?
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973741 tn?1342342773
allmymarbles, you probably have never encountered a truly sensory sensitive child.  No, not all children react like my son.  We all have things that 'bug' us but a sensory kid will have a total meltdown like it hurts.  

It is very old fashioned to think that this is normal.  When if one took the time to understand the nervous system and what it means to have sensory processing disorder, they learn that the nervous system can be faulty with the info it sends and an over response can happen.  While we all have things that bug us, it is when someone can't cope that moves it into an area that should be dealt with.  They do a simple brushing technique that worked wonders for my son to help his nervous system calm down and respond more normally.  

The sign that I could not brush under the carpet with my son when I was trying were some of his tactile defensive responses.  They were far from ordinary.

We dealt with them and my son is doing much better.  MUCH better.  (one of my pet peeves are those that poo poo the things a child/adult with sensory processing disorder deals with.)
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757137 tn?1347196453
Aren't a lot of normal people bothered by some textures? All children are touchy-feelies it seems to me. My kiddies loved velveteen and sateen and other soft fabrics and I never put them in rough denims. The girls always wanted smooth patent leather shoes.
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5757880 tn?1395578022
He is currently on methlophynidate (sp) 20mg, 3 times daily.

I have read on the side effects for the anti-psychotics they have recommended and in all good conscious, I don't think I can agree to have him on those meds. It's insane the possibilities of what could happen, so I am putting my foot down on those - especially at the age he is at right now.

The psych wasn't happy that the school isn't taking his disorders seriously so she has now written a letter, telling them to formally test him. If I don't hear anything about testing at the next meeting (next week) then I will be writing my letter.  
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189897 tn?1441126518
COMMUNITY LEADER
    Sounds good - well, at least much better.  Definitely do the formal letter for the IEP.  School won't probably have a clue on SPD so you will have to do some teaching.  Personally, I definitely would not try any anti-psychotic meds until you have given the sensory activities time to work (or not).
    Dang, I can't remember - is he on any other meds now?
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5757880 tn?1395578022
Hi All!
Sorry I didn't post anything back specialmom - it's been so hectic. Not only am I advocating for my son, my mother has Parkinson's Disease and I have had to step in regarding some of her physicians.

Okay - Sandman2 and specialmom; The OT evaluator stated my son's symptoms are consist with the sensory processing/intergration disorder, however, she cannot diagnose him - only the primary physician and/or psych can do that.
So, our facilitator through Oaklawn services has been speaking to the psych about getting my son the diagnosis. Since the actual disorder was not included in the DMS this year, they are having to look at other coding to assist with the schools and the insurance. I spoke with the psych yesterday and she and I went over some of the codes for him and I think they will have something in the next week or so.
He is in OT therapy now - they want to see him twice a week but we can't afford that, so we are going every other week and starting an intense program at home. We are getting a mini trampoline, doing yoga, have a compression shirt, etc.

The school is still being wishy-washy with his testing and the psych isn't happy, so she is going to write a letter to him and has asked me to write the formal letter for testing on an IEP.

She still is only putting "rule-out PDD/Austim" because of issues with insurance, but she has mentioned anti-psychotic meds again as a possible drug in the future, which I'm still very uneasy about after reading about them.

specialmom: Thank you for the smoothie ideas! I will definitely try them this weekend :)
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973741 tn?1342342773
Yes, babblemom.  I've been curious how the occupational therapist appointment went last week!

Here is a smoothie recipe my kids do really like----  finely chop spinach (they'll never know) put in blender, frozen strawberries (I use a small bag for about 4 large smoothies), fill blender just to top of strawberries with apple juice.  Put in some sugar and cinnamon, and one banana.  You can add protein powder to this at this time. Blend until smooth.  It's a hit every time.

Another smoothie you can add protein powder to is frozen mango and/or pineapple, cover with orange juice, blend and add banana if desired plus the protein powder.  

They also make some decent protein bars these days and there is a Kid Zone brand that kids often like.  

good luck
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189897 tn?1441126518
COMMUNITY LEADER
Easily bothered by textures?  Have you looked into sensory processing disorder?  It could explain a lot.
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5757880 tn?1395578022
Hi Sandman,

Unfortunately, my son REFUSES to eat the "cookie" :) He gets easily bothered by textures and he does not like this one.

However, I have him eating (2) slices of bacon, (1) pancake, (1) sausage, (1) high protein yogurt and a Omega 3/DHA gummy every morning.
Helpful - 0
5757880 tn?1395578022
Thank you for the link and I will definitely try it this weekend :)
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189897 tn?1441126518
COMMUNITY LEADER
   This is a recipe for a protein breakfast "cookie".  It sounds really weird, but might work.  The link is from Dr. Parker where I first heard about the importance of a protein breakfast.  He has several other good ideas in the link.  Let me know how the cookie works (if you try it).
   the link is -   http://www.corepsych.com/2007/02/power-breakfast-recipe-2-how-on-protein/
Helpful - 0
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