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Hello All:

I have a daughter who is speech delayed. She is 2 years and 3 months old and and only uses a few one syllable words (hi, bye, ball, etc...). Our pediatrician suggested speech therapy, which we've had a couple of sessions of, and to get checked out by a developmental pediatrician because she thought that our daughter was exhibiting signs of some autistic spectrum disorder.

We were able to pull some strings and get our daughter in with a developmental pediatrician within a couple of weeks. She had her appt this past week and the doctor, based on the initial consultation, ruled out autism. She said her best guess at this point was Sensory Integration Dysfunction. We still have more appts with this clinic, but they are recommending occupational therapy several times per week.

I would like to know if anyone here is familiar with Sensory Integration Dysfunction and can give me any pointers in terms of treatment, what I as a parent can do to help my daughter, and give me an idea what to expect from her going forward.

Thanks in advance for any help...

Sensory Integration Dysfunction like a lot of these type of disorders, often they cross over onto the autism spectrum, and it may be to early to tell if your daughter has yet.

But its great these things have been picked up early, as means so much more can do done.

A lot of people on the spectrum seem to of had some sort of speech disorder when younger, I had Clutters! and with correct speech therapy no one would now know. But it did take about 40 yaers to get diagnosed with aspergers...

As a parent it seems like your already doing such a great job and thats all that children need, and for you to believe in them, support and understand.

The first concern we had about my son was a speech delay, similar to your daughter's. He got speech therapy through our county from age 2 until age 3. The speech person kept saying, he's not autistic...but, if he was more extreme (difficulty transitioning), then he would be autistic. Pediatrician said, "not autistic"

I highly recommend that you pursue the speech therapy. When I think about my son, that therapy from age 2 to 3 is the single best thing that was done for him. I realize now that he might not have outgrown the speech issues on his own. Language was not important to him when he was an infant/toddler. The speech therapist taught me how to get him to use language.

Sensory Integration Disorder has been mentioned in reference to my son, but he has outgrown almost all of his sensory issues (he's 9 yrs old now). Except, that he doesn't like sudden loud noises or getting his finger nails cut.

OT is the best! Check out the 2005 edition (older one is not as easy to use) of Jean Ayers' Sensory Integration and the Child. It is a very easy to use manual that explains the various types and what it is like for our children.