Child w/ Oral and Tactile Defensiveness

Hi,

I am new to the forum. I am hoping to find a remedy for my 9

year old daughter. She has had tactile defensiveness issues

her whole life (nothing severe) and I am now recognizing oral

defensiveness issues as well which seem to be getting worse

quickly.

Her tactile issues include, changing her underwear numerous

times to find a comfortable pair, can't stand the seams in

socks, hates collars, sleeves too long, etc. She will get

ready in the morning and then get very frustrated because she

has to start all over. We have bought numerous clothes that

have only been worn once because they don't feel right (even

after she has tried them on).

Her oral sensory issues are what is concerning me the most

these days. She is a self proclaimed vegetarian (which I now

realize is probably because of the texture issues -- although

she is an animal lover). Lately, she cannot eat spaghetti

noodles. First it was if they were sticking together - now

she can hardly look at them without gagging for throwing up.

She also can not eat elbow macaroni (but she eats penne,

bow-tie and shells). She insists on covering all of her food

with tons of sea salt and lemon pepper (except for sweets). I

think this is just so she can tolerate the food. Her diet is

becoming more and more restricted and I am afraid she is not

getting the proper nutrition. She has always insisted on

keeping her food divided into separate dishes with separate

utensils (she never mixes). She likes popsicles, ice cream,

some yogurts, most fruits, broccoli and asparagus if it is not

over cooked, mashed potatoes, french fries, pasta w/ marinara

or pesto (only the shapes mentioned above) pizza (but she only

eats the cheese (and sometimes a pepperoni (shh don't tell her

it is meat)), and some soups. She likes baby food (bananna)

and up until recently ate the baby oatmeal cereal (but she

liked it cold and thick). She won't eat this anymore.

Please let me know if you have any suggested remedies or other

ideas. Also, let me know if you need more details.

Thank you for your help --Judy