Sensory Integration & Masturbation

[starmommy2]

My family just came for a visit and my almost 4 year old nephew has Sensory Integration Disorder. The whole time he was here, all he did was masturbate. He would even go as far as to bite the pillow he was lying on and moan and drool. He doesn't interact with the other kids but usually just roams around the house holding on to cylinder shaped things; sticks, straws, toy ketchup bottles. When the kids would try to engage him in the play they were doing, he would get angry to the point of hitting. So, my question is should the masturbation be corrected? Also, should the other kids still try to get him involved in what they are doing or just leave him alone? I just made my 2.5 year old leave him alone because he's so much bigger than her. My sister didn't ever say anything to him about the masturbation or try to discourage it in any way. I thought he should be told not to do it unless he was alone, which is what seems to be the most popular advice. My husband just told him, "No", and he quit doing it in the middle of the living room floor. Any help from anyone who has a child with sensory integration disorder would he great! Thank you!

[bullseye1979]

I would seriously demand a re-evaluation for Autism

[kikaibear]

Hi My son is 6 and has SPD he's VERY social so that's what keeps him off the spectrum but other than that he has a LOT of "autistic behaviors" He recently has started thetouching himself like to soothe himself/self regulate especially at bedtime to get to sleep.  I'veasked him why just to find out how I could get him to do something else he says it tickles,so I suggested he tickle his stomach to get himself to sleep... It sorta worked.  The behavior bothers me because he has a twin sister that has to see this and hear the heavy breathing that I think is COMPLETELY innappropriate for her since she knows what he's doing.  Just today when I got him out of the bath I heard her tell him "Don't make my hand touch your private!" So he's seeking that feeling that he's involving her now but luckily she yelled at him and knew it was inappropriate!  There's no history of any abuse in or out of the home, he has never been exposed to any sexual material.  I think it all comes from his heightened sensory seeking behaviors.  

Therapists and professional have told us that the best thing to do is give our kids their time and space and privacy to do what they need to do I have a big problem with this tho.... When I first discovered that he was doing this I told him to go in the room or bathroom where it's private thinking he'd just stop, he got up to go in his room and continue!  I was a bit shoked.  


There are many servicesavailable to help your sister and your family welivein the los angeles area and we'd get floortime a behavioral therapy HELPED SO MUCH!  My son goes thru spurts ofdifferentobsessions he used tosmell things EVERYTHING ALL THE TIME!  we did The Listening Program on him and he stopped that too.  My daughter even stopped bedwetting.  If you'd like more info about it please email me   ***@****

hope we all find some answers!  Good luck!  XOXO

[pjcontreras]

I think that yu should really talk to him mom/dad. Who ever is the one yur related to espeically. Just say that because of is age, other children are really fragile too to pick up on other children's behaviors. See if you can find out a few resources for them, possibly a therapist that can do play therapy/music therapy. Something where they have to look to something else besides the cylinder type thing for comfort/ soemthing farmiliar.
Someone who has extensive knowedge with what Cleveland Mom said, and the SID. it will be socially paralizing for him to be allowed to continue to do that in other people's presence.
Is it possible they can put him into clothes where he can't get to his private areas? I am sure he might still try to rub it etc, but make it a little more difficult to get to while they are working through this?
That would be hard. God bless you guys. I am sorry that he has this. But I bet there's also a bunch of other resources that possibly if you got them, an dgave them to them an dspoke to them in love about it for him. You want him to be able to be around other children...
It's not going to be an easy fix. Just say what's in your heart and your concerns.
Maybe if he's already going to all these therapists, his parents could ask them if they can help refer them to someone who can help him better. She can let them know that she's not seeing any real diffrence in the behavior, and see if there's a more intensive program he might be albe to partisipate in that might be covered through their insurance. They also might ask for a case manager through their insurance company to help them find something that can help him a little more.
Your family will be in my thoughts and prayers.

[Cleveland Mom]

Many do think that vaccines are behind the skyrocketing rate of autism, today.  There was a large study conducted in Scandanavia and the results were that there was not a relationship between vacinations and autism.  However, many suspect a link.  There is also an abundance on information on the possible link between autism and vaccines.

[starmommy2]

Does anyone know if his problems could stem from his vaccines? My sister said he got his 12month and 15month shots together. I found some information that the preservative in a couple of the vaccines contains mercury and that can cause "autistic like" behavior in some children (basically mercury poisoning).

[Cleveland Mom]

It is quite possible that this child's sensory intergration problems are related to him having Autism Spectrum Disorder.  It sounds as if he is having significant problems with communication, social interaction an is displaying odd interests.  All of these issues are consistent with a conditon on the spectrum of autism.  

Best wishes...

[starmommy2]

Yes, he's been in speech, occupational, and physical therapy twice a week for over a year. I don't see any difference. He will also repeat what you say, like if you say, "Look at that bird," he'll say "look at that bird." He's only been diagnosed with Sensory Integration Disorder, but they checked him for autism and said he didn't have it. I think there is something else wrong though, besides the SID. Thank you for your comment...

[Agiesmom]

I have a friend whose daughter has Asperger's (as well as Sensory Integration Disorder) and the cylinder shaped object obsession seems like the kind of obsessions my friend's daughter has.

I would think that he definitely should be told that he needs to be alone to touch himself (and he probably will need to be reminded).  I'm not an authority on this, but I believe that the only way to help improve social skills is to teach appropriate behavior in a kind, consistent, loving way.  He needs loving guidance for all issues, imo--socializing included.

Has your sister been referred to someone for occupational therapy for her son?