It definitely sounds sensory-seeking. My son has a "lazy lean" too. We do pillow sandwiches sometimes if he seems to be escalating to meltdown.
Maybe your son doesn't like the out of control feeling he gets when you apply the pressure. It might help to help him know what to expect -- for example telling him where you're going to push next, have him point to where he wants pressure next, counting to 10, applying pressure methodically, etc.
This website is great for sensory tips:
http://www.sensory-processing-disorder.com
Good luck with everything.
Thanks for the link Norwaymom.
I really do talk him through it, so he knows what to expect. He helps me count. Somtimes, he asks for his "stretches" but then says all done when we start. Sometimes, he says he doesn't want to do the activities, but then will be laughing while we do it. Sometimes, It's like it wears him out to do the heavy work. Like pushing a laundry basket or pulling a wagon.
Amie--I wish I could make a vest. I can't even so a button on. I'm so not domestic.
The one thing he loves is if we sit on the steps and he has to push us down with his hands and feet. Of course, we are very dramatic about it and both boys think it is hilarious.
My son has been pusing a lot recently. It usually happens when he is tired, overstimulated, annoyed with his brother's crying, etc. Sometimes, he just seems bored. He will even announce "time out" before he does it and place himself in time out immediately after.
It seems that if we do the deep pressure exercies, it helps prevent this from continuing. One of our therapists suggested he needs the input and that's why he does it. Any thoughts from you all? He has what I call a lazy lean. He puts all of his weight on me, falls on me frequently and is always hanging on me. He sometimes will start kicking into me for no appearant reason while sitting on the couch next to me. We also noticed that he will put his arms around his brother or kids. He tends to put too much weight on them and knocks them over. Does this make any sense?
Any ideas or thoughts on the subject?
Flip,
Have you ever tried the weighted vest? It seems like it might be a good thing to try since you say the deep pressure exercises seem to help.
My son is sensory seeking too. He used to have a weighted vest at preschool and it helped.
They told me the same thing when the boys were in early intervention, that they need the pressure input, its almost like they just can't help themselves. To substitute pushing, rough playing etc (sometimes they are just trying to play with each other but don't really know how and it ends up fighting cause somebody gets hurt and then mad) we play "sandwich". This was the therapist's suggestion. We take the regular old couch pillow or both of them, and then press it against their tummy or tummy and back at the same time, and then let go. We also got one to do this to the other. It became a game and it replaced pushing/rough housing. also at therapy now they have these huge throw pillows that are just big bean bags. they have several and they go crash on those and then we put one on top of their body and slightly apply pressure. They love that. I am thinking of just making some. you can buy the pellets they put in bean bags, and then just make a bunch of big floor cushions. Early intervention also had heavy stuffed animals they would let the boys hold, their favorite was the turtle. It did calm them down.
I should see if I can borrow a weighted vest from somone--I don't know who might have one around here. We did try ankle and wrist weights. He doesn't like them at all.
I also don't understand why he says he doesn't want the deep pressure activities. He always says he is all done the minute I start. I kind of push it because he does so much better afterward. We do the sandwhich too--same story. I push it because I see results. I just wish I could find something that he enjoys.
You can make a weighted vest pretty easily. Just buy a premade fleece one and sew pockets on it and then make little beanbag weights. I have a store bought one that was like 0 and one that I made. My ds likes the fleece homemade one better because it is more comfy. The other thing they suggested to us because our son does the same thing and he is not small even though he is only five is to wrestle with him. It provides that deep sensory pressure input they are looking for and calms their bodies down. Another suggest they gave us is having them push heavy objects around the house like laundry baskets filled with wet laundry or chairs with someone sitting on them. Another thing we have tried is laying on the floor going totally limp and letting our son roll us across the floor.