When self stimulation does not work!
Our nervous system needs
an “optimum level” of stimulation to stay alert and organized. When it
is not getting enough stimulation we become under-aroused, have
difficulty focusing, and will feel sluggish or anxious. When
over-aroused the nervous system will become overloaded, disorganized,
and anxious. So, the nervous system is always seeking that “optimum level” of stimulation that helps it stay calm but alert, and organized.
Many children on the spectrum have fragile, disorganized nervous
systems that have difficulty reaching and maintaining the “optimum
arousal level.” They are frequently seeking, or avoiding, a variety of
sensory stimulation to pacify their nervous system. Their nervous
systems do not know how to “regulate” the type and amount of stimulation
that it needs. Their “internal regulator” is not working well.
Usually they stumble upon the type of stimulation they need (movement,
smells, proprioception, tactile, etc.) but may have difficulty
regulating the amount and intensity it needs. For these children they
may seek out more than they need, give it too intensively, or have
difficulty stopping once they start. For them, having a structured
sensory diet where they have controlled doses of sensory stimulation can
be beneficial. It can provide the “just right” doses of stimulation
to keep the children in their “optimum range” of stimulation. They need
to have the amount and intensity regulated for them, until their
nervous system becomes “reset” and can regulate themselves.
However, for some children, the nervous system is further taxed by
biomedical imbalances that irritate and aggravate the nervous system so
it is rarely in a state of equilibrium. Their nervous system may be
over-aroused, on high alert, and leaving the child feeling anxious and
insecure. When the nervous system is out of balance, the child is
seeking out ongoing stimulation, often in intense forms, to the point
that they cannot learn or are injuring themselves. For them, even
steady doses of sensory input, provided by a structured sensory diet,
will not stabilize their nervous system. The nervous system is in
constant flux and rarely balanced.
When this occurs we need
to do look closely at what may be aggravating the nervous system
(digestive problems, allergies, biochemical imbalances, etc.) and treat
the underlying cause of the irritation/imbalance. This may consist of
regulating their diet, providing necessary supplements, or seeking
medication to balance neurotransmitters. A sensory diet alone will not
work. Usually for these children they are seeking out intense
proprioception (banging, hitting, biting, etc.), or frequent movement.
They cannot still and focus, driven to seek out stimulation. Often
these behaviors are hard to redirect and difficult for the child to
control. They feel driven to act, although the actions do not seem to
satisfy them. They seek out very high doses of stimulation, to the
point that it drives all actions, and inhibits engagement functional
activity. It dictates what they do and when they do it. For them
medical attention will often be needed. There is a chemical imbalance
or medical/biomedical issue that needs to be resolved. For these
children the families will need to seek out a DAN doctor, neurologist,
or psychiatrist for added assistance. However, this process can be a
long, trial and error, period of assessments and treatments before the
vulnerabilities are identified and effectively treated.
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