Before every nap and bedtime, Catherine (22mo) has to turn on the air purifier in her room and then she squats down to examine the digital display on the carbon monoxide monitor (yes, we're safety nuts) plugged in on one wall. After that, she's perfectly willing to be put in bed and stays there peacefully.

Yesterday, the light on the air purifier that indicates the filter needs to be replaced came on so I didn't use it. When I went to put her down for her nap, I took her straight to her crib, bypassing both of her usual "stops." She made no effort to go toward the air purifier but screamed bloody murder and clutched at me so I couldn't put her in bed. After a good 10 minutes, I finally peeled her off me and walked out of her room and closed the door (usual). She shrieked for another 20 minutes before finally passing out.

Bedtime rolls around, and she won't even go upstairs -- she goes all boneless so I can't even pick her up to carry her. I do finally carry her up kicking and screaming and again she won't let me put her in bed. THEN she catches sight of the base station for her monitor, which also has a green light on it like the air purifier. I notice this and let her push the button on it. Then she wants to get down and goes to squat in front of the carbon monoxide detector. 10 seconds later, she's happy to get into bed.

WHY does she HAVE to do through these motions? She has a lot of OCD tendencies, but this reaction takes the cake! Thanks.

Catherine is almost 2 as well, a FUN age! Some children are very fixed in their routines, especially at bed time. In fact, this is why we call them bed time rituals. I am not sure if Catherine exhibits other signs of rigidity with her routine, as I do not know much about her history. Does she have sensory issues or do you think this just may be a fascination with the light that is part of her bed time routine? It is difficult for me to analyze this one situation given that Miss Catherine is approaching the terrible two's. Please tell me more about Catherine and her daily routine so I can better help you :-)

Robynne

Egads, everything has to be just so! From everything lined up just right to all her stuffed animal in her crib in their pre-measured spots! It's hard to know if she's just a quirky toddler or really has some issues. She does have sensory issues as determined by her Early Intervention evaluation. She won't eat certain textures, like meat, or anything with a sauce on it. She clearly prefers puree consistency or hard/dry, like crackers. However, she adores using utensils as they eliminate the need to touch food with her hands. She won't put her hands down in the grass to get back up if she falls. Any kind of changes causes shrieking fits. She was actually swinging from my arm the other day to try to get me to stop as I was moving furniture around. Any kind of clothes changing generally causes horrific tantrums. How I wish I could have documented the knock-down-drag-out this morning! It spanned about 20 minutes, two rooms and much rolling around on the floor. And all because I wanted to put a pair of tights on her. It wasn’t the initial putting on that was the problem; it was taking off the first pair because they were too small. At that point, she came unglued and was shrieking like she’d lost her mind! Long story short – I finally wrestled her into a headlock, got her dress on her and carried her out of the house, bared-legged, in 43-degree weather.

This is a daily occurence. To varying degrees, but always happens.

She is not autistic but is speech-delayed.

Lesley:

I remember discussing Catherine before and she appears to be a classic "SI" kiddo given your description of a typical day. Has anyone done a Sensory Profile on her? This is a standard parent questionnaire that is a reliable tool to evaluate children for SI dysfunction, more so than the checklist in the Out of Sync Child book! I do like like Carol Cranowitz' book as well, as it is an OT's bible for SI!

Back to Miss Catherine. Are you doing any Wilbarger brushing protocol or weighted vests? It does seem as if Catherine is a stickler to routine, but I am hearing about these extreme fits that concern me. Yes, they can be toddler related, but it seems as if she has more sensory and routine issues. A brushing protocol may be more of a calming mechanism before her bed time routine. Weighted vests and weighted blankets can also be "calming," but we have to watch out for our GERDlings tummies. Please ask your OT about the brushing protocol. It must be performed frequently in order to see results. I have seen the brushing extinguish tantums and rolling on the floor behaviors. Please write back :)

Robynne

Brushing? I don't know what that is, but I can't imagine it going over well. This child does not like to be touched except in rare instances when she invites a tickle or a raspberry on the tummy, couldn't tolerate swaddling as a newborn, has all kinds of fits at any attempt to brush her hair. I can't see weighted blankets or vests doing anything but making her hysterical either. I will have to research further.

The Wilbarger brushing protocol is for children EXACTLY like your Catherine, I promise. It is to assist with those who are hyper-sensitive and go into orbit when touched. It is performed by using a very soft surgical brush with soft bristles. The brushing protocol has a calming effect just like a massage. Children crave it as it becomes part of their routine and sensory diet. Paleeeeeeeeeeez ask your OT about a sensory diet that includes Wilbarger brushing. For all of you mom's out there whose kiddos have received Wilbarger protocol, please feel free to respond and give your input to Lesley. It is worth a try to address Catherine's o/c behaviors. :)

Robynne