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Expert Q&A

	By Dr. Bunni Tobias Kid Detective Psychologist

My daughter is 5 years old and was diagnosed with SID. We went to therapy with an OT for several months. Some improvements occurred but not enough. Are there any parenting classes to help frustrated parents deal with out-of-control, destructive children? I want to be a better mother but lack the skills to survive in such a rocky environment."

I assume you are referring to sensory integration dysfunction (SID). All OTs are NOT certified in this comprehensive area. That is the first thing you will want to investigate, because you may not have been given adequate interventions. You should also have a sensory diet of activities and materials to use at home. If your therapist isn't an SI-OT, you can contact Sensory Integration International in Torrance, Calif., for someone who is certified in any part of the world.

Parenting classes, unless they are for children with specific disabilities, are not always productive because they are often too generic. Resolving the problem will require a professional specially trained to deal with these children, but quite frankly, I don't believe your core issue is being addressed and/or you may have tolerated certain behaviors to the point that some of this may be habit.

He will need to be provided with appropriate behaviors and natural positive desired consequences (privileges, treats, play dates, toys he likes, TV, etc.) for better choices. These choices, again, must be trained in! Children just do what they do until they are motivated by getting what THEY want by doing what YOU want. The best psychologist to assist you would be someone with a background in special education and cognitive behavioral therapy training. I wish you lived in my neighborhood or maybe you do. I'm thinking about a parenting group for parents just like you since I have so many. Hope this helps!"

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