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Does anyone know anything about sensitivity to certain sounds and textures and if that would be classified as sensory oe? DD15 is a very picky eater, first of all, but also has problems such as not being able to stand the thought, sound, or feeling of chalk, the feeling of going barefoot in our garage, and other "odd" things like that. Many people obviously get the "nails on the chalkboard" sound occasionally, but a lot of not very strange sounds (opening the oven door, for example) send DD covering her ears and clenching her teeth and having her complain of a similar sensation. Loud noises effect me, but not her. She is a musician and get's very moved by music. Anyone know if this sounds familiar with your kids?

This actually sounds like a sensory integration disorder. OT can help to a degree with this, so she is more comfortable in her everyday environment.

I agree with aculady. Sounds like sensory issue, and maybe also auditory processing. OT helped our DD a lot with sensory and auditory issues. Noise canceling headphones could help if she needs some general relief. I find too that it is the type of noise rather than volume that is causing the problem.

As for textures with fabrics and foods, my DD is still very sensitive to all those things...

I'm not aware of having any disorders, but I have the very same problems with chalk, rough concrete, brick, sandpaper, and nail files. When I was younger I couldn't tolerate even the 'thought' of chalk and nail files. Chalk was always my number one creepy thing. I could touch it, but I didn't want to, esp. if it was broken and rough. I couldn't stand nail files until I was in my twenties. I still don't like to use them, but I don't avoid them like I did when I was younger.

I'm a picky eater, though not as much as I was when I was younger. Texture is a huge issue for me when it comes to food. I can look at textures of some foods and become so nauseous that I start to gag. Once that gets into my mind, it's very difficult for me to overcome.

Like Mom2MrQ, I have similar sensitivities to chalk. Just the thought of touching it gives me the "nails on a chalkboard" feeling. I also don't like being barefoot on concrete -- somehow it's very similar in feeling to the chalk.

I'm not sure whether it's OEs though, so I guess I'm not much help. DS9 has many sensory issues with texture, some that are more related to sound than feel. He hates the sound of twill pants rubbing together; he only likes heavy sheets because the sound the soft ones make is like fingernails on a chalkboard. He's HG(+?) (DYS) and has other issues that seem like OEs to me but I haven't done enough research to say that for certain.

My DD8 has a serious problem with anything velvet or corduroy--can't touch it, won't wear it, won't even hug me if I'm wearing it! She's now starting to bug out over long-sleeved shirts and the feeling of t-shirts on her neck (they feel "too velvety"). Would love to know of any resources for explaining/dealing with this kind of thing!

There is supposed to be a difference between Sensory Integration and OEs but I can't percieve it. Everyone in my family is affected by it and I sure was glad that OT is availible to help. Read that book about it abd call your local OT asking if they have anyone who works with kids on Sensory Issues.

http://www.amazon.com/Out---Sync-Ch...mp;ie=UTF8&qid=1296562523&sr=1-2

Grinity, I agree. The only difference between the sensory manifestations of OE and Sensory Integration Disorder (or Dysfunction) that I have ever been able to perceive is that OE is not a pathologized term, and SID is. It may be better for some people's self-esteem to describe themselves or their children as having OE related to giftedness than it is to say that they have a disorder of sensory integration related to their nervous system processing, but if the OE/SID is causing distress in daily life, then I think that considering it as pathological is really warranted, considering that there are therapies that can make it easier to handle.

The fact that SID/SPD happens in the non-gifted population, and in fact seems to be linked with many disorders such as autism, casts doubt (for me) on that part of the overexcitabilities theory. Of which I have other doubts.

What is OT?