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-> Parenting our children
-> Preschoolers
amother
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 Tue, Dec 31 2024, 2:44 pm
I am so overwhelmed by my yummy 3.5 year old.
As a baby, he had some issues with balance, and we did some OT work, and I had also read up on the importance of vestibular function for emotional regulation.
Wondering what steps we should be taking now with the current status quo:
1. He has a hard time listening to commands- and it is highlighted by the contrast to his older sibling who was always so quick to please. I can't figure out if he is in the normal range or needs something more.
2. He is very quick to meltdown- a little tired or hungry and he is LOST- will tantrum for a long time, and its like no one is home
3. he is often tired and lethargic
I'm going out of my mind a little, because the slightest movement off kilter takes him over the edge (the smallest change in plans, needing to go somewhere quickly...)
Any advice?
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amother
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Tue, Dec 31 2024, 2:51 pm
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My child is similar. Had him evaluated and was told he needs Serious OT, most issues are stemming from his sensory issues.
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amother
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Tue, Dec 31 2024, 3:01 pm
| amother Seagreen wrote: | | My child is similar. Had him evaluated and was told he needs Serious OT, most issues are stemming from his sensory issues. |
I've been pushing it off because there is always so much going on and going to therapy is a commitment (time and money) but I know its really important.
Have you started OT yet?
what is the therapist doing and do you see a difference in his regulation?
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amother
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Tue, Dec 31 2024, 3:14 pm
Sensory disturbances often begin in the gut. How's his diet?
Another angle to look at specifically with vestibular dysfunction is oral structure, tongue posture and airway issues. Does he breathe with his mouth open? Sleep with his mouth open? Any snoring or noisy breathing at night? Enlarged tonsils or adenoids? Where is his tongue at rest? How's his sleep in general?
Have you done any reflex integration?
Does he have a lot of ear infections or fluid in his ears?
The question is really, why the vestibular issues to begin with.
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amother
RosePink
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Tue, Dec 31 2024, 3:29 pm
| amother Lightpink wrote: | Sensory disturbances often begin in the gut. How's his diet?
Another angle to look at specifically with vestibular dysfunction is oral structure, tongue posture and airway issues. Does he breathe with his mouth open? Sleep with his mouth open? Any snoring or noisy breathing at night? Enlarged tonsils or adenoids? Where is his tongue at rest? How's his sleep in general?
Have you done any reflex integration?
Does he have a lot of ear infections or fluid in his ears? |
I'm dealing with the same issued for ds 3 what does the breathing have to do with it and what would you suggest for diet change that's not drastic? Thanks
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mushkamothers
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Tue, Dec 31 2024, 3:48 pm
#2 can be a sign of ADHD or maybe asd (I'm hardly diagnosing just saying those kids are particularly sensitive)
#3 do bloodwork and look for a full panel including mono, it can also be something like gluten intolerance which won't show up on bloodwork
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amother
Ultramarine
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Tue, Dec 31 2024, 3:51 pm
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You need an evaluation. For my kid it was a sensory issue combined with low muscle tone.
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amother
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Tue, Dec 31 2024, 4:01 pm
| amother Lightpink wrote: | Sensory disturbances often begin in the gut. How's his diet?
Another angle to look at specifically with vestibular dysfunction is oral structure, tongue posture and airway issues. Does he breathe with his mouth open? Sleep with his mouth open? Any snoring or noisy breathing at night? Enlarged tonsils or adenoids? Where is his tongue at rest? How's his sleep in general?
Have you done any reflex integration?
Does he have a lot of ear infections or fluid in his ears?
The question is really, why the vestibular issues to begin with. | '
Thank you for the response!
We are also dealing with enlarged adenoids, and are scheduling to remove them soon.
His breathing posture is definitely off, and he breathes noisily, overall his oral muscles are not very strong (we did a stint of speech therapy as well, but was not so effective as his adenoids seem to be the big issue)
Does that relate to his emotional regulation?
Eating-wise, he'll eat healthy foods, but at random wont eat at all- what would some recommendations be to make sure we are correctly feeding his gut?
We did some reflex integration when he was under a year (I think it was reflex integration). Should I restart? I believe that would be with an OT?
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amother
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Tue, Dec 31 2024, 4:07 pm
| amother OP wrote: | '
Thank you for the response!
We are also dealing with enlarged adenoids, and are scheduling to remove them soon.
His breathing posture is definitely off, and he breathes noisily, overall his oral muscles are not very strong (we did a stint of speech therapy as well, but was not so effective as his adenoids seem to be the big issue)
Does that relate to his emotional regulation?
Eating-wise, he'll eat healthy foods, but at random wont eat at all- what would some recommendations be to make sure we are correctly feeding his gut?
We did some reflex integration when he was under a year (I think it was reflex integration). Should I restart? I believe that would be with an OT? |
Yes it could be related, mouth breathing puts the nervous system in perpetual fight-flight because it's not getting enough oxygen so the body thinks it's in danger.
Poor oral posture will also put a lot of stress on the trigeminal nerves which will affect the vestibular system because of their proximity.
If he's sleeps with his mouth open he's probably not getting enough REM sleep which could explain the constant fatigue, though I agree with mushkamothers that something like a gluten intolerance could be a cause too.
The enlarged adenoids could also be affecting the vestibular system because his ears aren't draining properly.
For his gut I would start with a probiotic and fermented foods maybe. And as clean a diet as you can manage. Removing msg and food dyes can make a big difference on emotional regulation.
Reflex integration is usually done by an OT, yes.
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amother
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Tue, Dec 31 2024, 6:10 pm
| amother OP wrote: | '
Thank you for the response!
We are also dealing with enlarged adenoids, and are scheduling to remove them soon.
His breathing posture is definitely off, and he breathes noisily, overall his oral muscles are not very strong (we did a stint of speech therapy as well, but was not so effective as his adenoids seem to be the big issue)
Does that relate to his emotional regulation?
Eating-wise, he'll eat healthy foods, but at random wont eat at all- what would some recommendations be to make sure we are correctly feeding his gut?
We did some reflex integration when he was under a year (I think it was reflex integration). Should I restart? I believe that would be with an OT? |
Scary… my son also is a low muscle tone kid and mouth breather, enlarged tonsils… and his symptoms are so similar (I’m the first amother responding). He’s starting ot soon.
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amother
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Wed, Jan 01 2025, 7:55 am
| amother Seagreen wrote: | | Scary… my son also is a low muscle tone kid and mouth breather, enlarged tonsils… and his symptoms are so similar (I’m the first amother responding). He’s starting ot soon. |
Hmm so mine isn't low muscle tone across the board- just his oral muscles.
And the ENT said the tonsils are not enlarged.
The interesting thing was that he would not roll as a baby- he did tummy time, crawled and walked relatively early, but would not roll, and when we would lean him back to change his diaper, he didn't reflexively tuck his chin in- he would just splay out (and looked scared)
In OT at that time we worked on rolling and arching his back without fear, but didnt deal with his oral muscles as much.
now his behavior is getting much more challenging and I realize that his vestibular function (amongst all the other things) still needs work.
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amother
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Wed, Jan 01 2025, 7:57 am
| amother Lightpink wrote: | Yes it could be related, mouth breathing puts the nervous system in perpetual fight-flight because it's not getting enough oxygen so the body thinks it's in danger.
Poor oral posture will also put a lot of stress on the trigeminal nerves which will affect the vestibular system because of their proximity.
If he's sleeps with his mouth open he's probably not getting enough REM sleep which could explain the constant fatigue, though I agree with mushkamothers that something like a gluten intolerance could be a cause too.
The enlarged adenoids could also be affecting the vestibular system because his ears aren't draining properly.
For his gut I would start with a probiotic and fermented foods maybe. And as clean a diet as you can manage. Removing msg and food dyes can make a big difference on emotional regulation.
Reflex integration is usually done by an OT, yes. |
I really appreciate the time your taking to explain!
Are you an OT?
Besides for removing the adenoids, what else can improve the oral posture and vestibular function?
Would this in turn affect his ability to regulate?
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