Sawyer’s Sensory Breakthrough: IM Improves Feeding and Sensory Processing

Sawyer was diagnosed with Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD). In his case his nervous system was over-responsive. SPD can impact a single sense or multiple senses. For some, clothing, sound, food or other sensory input may be unbearable.

At 20 months old Sawyer was able to ONLY eat baby food. The texture of any other foods was rejected and would result in a strong gag reflex. Sawyer’s uncle had a similar trait and for his entire life has only been able to eat about five foods. Sawyer’s three year old brother is displaying similar characteristics.

IM Training

While in Houston I did IM training twice on Sawyer within a four day period. Neither was a full length session; rather, each session was under ten minutes. The guide sounds were turned on and the headphones were hung around his neck. The default screen was used and the IMUniverse “Fishin” and “Fairy” screens were also used. Again, my intention was to give the parents exposure to the technology.

Unexpected Results

I did not anticipate seeing a change after such brief exposure.

However, less than one week from the first session I received a video clip of Sawyer holding a peanut butter cracker and willingly feeding his self.

A day or two later I received a second video clip, this one taken at the occupational therapist’s office. Again, he willingly ate a whole cracker (feeding his self). He has also eaten goldfish crackers.

Other Improvements

Other improvements were also noted: His grandmother and part time caregiver says “He is more talkative, shaking his head yes and no, he appears happier and is having more of an opinion.” She added that he is “just really blossoming!”

Sawyer’s mother said she and his father “are forever grateful.”

The Future

Sawyer’s parents have decided to invest in an IM-Home unit where they will continue to work with him using sessions that I customize for their needs. They will correspond through the IM-Home system and I will be able to see his scores after each session.

We expect to see additional gains as they begin this phase of the training. The parents also anticipate using the IM-Home unit for their three year old son who has similar characteristics.