For some time we've been trying to get Cammi all the way potty trained. It's been a long hard road, with much frustration, from all of us. Cammi has nailed down peeing in the potty. Does it herself, doesn't need to be prompted, can do the whole process w/o any problems. Pooping is a whole 'nother story. At first, we thought it was just defiance and being strong willed. She's smart, she is physically ready, and it seems psychologically and physiologically ready...but there is not something that is connecting. She is PETRIFIED of going poop in the potty. Getting her to even sit on the potty to poop is a feat within itself. We've tried EVERYTHING to get her to do the #2 deed. However, it may not be a behavioral issue, nor a battle of the wills.
Some time ago my sister brought to my attention that Cammi might have some sensory integration issues. I started to just make mental notes about sensory issues I saw. During her potty training...to get her to pee...I read a book my mother-in-law bought for me on potty training children with different personalities. Cammi seemed to best fit the strong-willed child and the sensory input child. It got me thinking....this is more than just potty issues. Some markers of kids with sensory integration issues are: not liking their hands dirty, sensitivity to sounds and feeling like things are too loud, not liking tags in their clothes, "picky" eaters, and difficulty potty training. Sure small children can exhibit one or two at times, but with Cam it's been all of them all of the time. Another marker is a child who has more meltdowns than is normal for a child their age. These meltdowns can be debilitating and can sometimes last for an extended time, because the child gets so overstimulated by their environment that they shut down. We experience these multiple meltdowns over what seems minor issues, to some. We also experience the long meltdowns where she has to be calmed by rubbing her back or her head, or held tightly.
I've done lots of research on Sensory Processing Disorder, SPD, with the help of my friend Stephanie, whose daughter has SPD. I feel like this is the answer to all of the "problems" we see in Cameran. I use "problems" lightly because they are all things we can learn to work through, with Occupational therapy. This week we will visit our pediatrician for a referral to occupational therapy. I pray we can find the best therapist for Cammi.
