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Comment on A Teenager’s Success Story: A Look Back by Nicole

Nicole — Thu, 17 May 2012 12:46:36 +0000

Great story! I have SPD and I am 30. I was diagnosed at age 7 and I am a lot like you. As a young girl I got picked on a lot because of it and still to this day have a hard time socializing and going on roller coasters. I did get my drivers license last year finally and it felt great. I ended up graduating college with honors when my high school said I wasn’t going to college. I have done so much more than anyone thought I would. It is great to hear other stories of success. Way to go! I also want to be an ot who works with kids who have SPD.

Comment on Help Promote Sensory Processing Disorder Awareness by Frances Beaumont

Frances Beaumont — Thu, 17 May 2012 10:27:25 +0000

HI , Thanks for your heartfelt message .
Id like to add from the UK there is still little awareness of this as a discrete condition either in Children or adults .
I have found it does occasionally exist on its own , but more often it is accompanying a specific learning difficulty where it tends to be overlooked because of the other ‘ label ‘.
For example people with Dyspraxia (Developmental Coordination Disorder or DCD) almost always have have severe sensory integration problems, as do those on the autism spectrum .
As children grow up ,if these issues have not been identified ,the sensory difficulties with resulting ’sensory overload’ are a major cause of a poor work or sickness record, stress and mental health problems in adults .
I’s like to see Sensory Processing difficulties added to the description of Dyspraxia DCD on the DSM- 1V , as well as being a stand alone diagnosis .
The good news is that it can be treated efby Occupational Therapists with SI training and, once identified, the person can create strategies , get reasonable adjustments at work and take charge of their life !
Being extra sensitive has its advantages to musicians , artists and those who care for others ,or animals (like Temple Grandin ) .
All the best to your family the SPD foundation !
I will follow with interest.
Frances Beaumont Dyspraxia UK

Comment on Help Promote Sensory Processing Disorder Awareness by Melissa

Melissa — Thu, 17 May 2012 01:54:00 +0000

Thank you for this blog! I will be a regular follower and will do whatever I can to promote awareness. I am tearing up as I read this having just went through this at church tonight. I was late, so dad had to help mom tonight, which is out of routine. My child is not autistic, he is SPD and APD. He could not understand what his dad was trying to get him to do, in our church’s cafe/play area, with tvs, lots of people, children running, and food being prepared and eaten. It’s LOUD! So I walked in with my cell phone ringing, (my husband calling, he doesn’t handle melt downs well) and my son screaming and crying. Thankfully, it was at church and my church family loves us, so the looks were minimal, but it’s still hard….thank you so much again. I have been buying t-shirts because of so many people not understanding. Yesterday, my son was wearing eye contact is way over-rated. Tonight, he was wearing his boy-SPD shirt, which has snippets of info about SPD, geared more towards boys. I was looking at it while he was crying and taking deep breaths. I know what it is, but as I read the shirt, I couldn’t help but think of everyone at the tables who don’t. The next t-shirt I am getting him has an ice cream cone on it. Caption, Very sweet, but prone to melt downs.<3 Melissa

Comment on A Teenager’s Success Story: A Look Back by Cathy Petrsman

Cathy Petrsman — Wed, 16 May 2012 18:40:38 +0000

This story gives parents with a child with SPD the opportunity to open the eyes of those around them. Family and friends that cannot grasp the reason why your child does what they do (or can’t do what others do). Thanks!

Comment on A Teenager’s Success Story: A Look Back by Sharon

Sharon — Wed, 16 May 2012 17:43:00 +0000

This is a great entrance essay!! Wonderful!! And gives me lots of hope as I am the mother of a now 13 yr old who STUGGLES with this disorder! The schools don’t recognize it and told me he had Add. I put him on pills and he literally became the devil himself! I knew that he had sensory integration (as it was first presented to me) and explained this to the teachers and his daycare they took the packet of information I took the time to print off my pc and highlight for them but my guess is they just threw it out as soon as I left because they both basically told me I was making excuses for his difficult behavior! I started homeschooling and told the doc that he was looked at in Pre-school screening and that they told me they thought he had sensory integration she told me ok let’s get him into some occupational therapy I was SOOO relieved that finally at the age of 8 now somebody was listening and agreed with me! He’s now 13 and had a ways to go but these words from an 18 yr old give me sincere hope!! Thank you SO SO SO much!!

Comment on A Teenager’s Success Story: A Look Back by Christina

Christina — Wed, 09 May 2012 04:27:35 +0000

Woody, thanks for sharing this. I’m the mother of a 5yr old boy with SPD, and I’m scared about his future. Your article made cry because I can see my boy in you, and that’s not something that happens often as my son is certainly not average, but like you said, normal is not nearly as fun as different.

Comment on A Teenager’s Success Story: A Look Back by MamaCheeta

MamaCheeta — Thu, 03 May 2012 18:55:09 +0000

Beautiful article. As a Mama to a beautiful 5-year-old SPD boy in his 2nd year of OT, speech therapy and social skills groups, I hope and pray he finds self-acceptance, confidence and joy from within, and writes an article like this when he graduates high school. Thank you for the hope, Woody!

Comment on A Teenager’s Success Story: A Look Back by Christine

Christine — Tue, 01 May 2012 18:38:55 +0000

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you for sharing your story, and thank you for giving this sensational mom a whole lot of hope for the future!!!!

Comment on New Study Supports Subtypes of Sensory Modulation Disorder by Avrey

Avrey — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 23:01:56 +0000

My son is 7 yearsold. He had speech at OT for sensory integration at age 2-3. He is now having trouble in school with his attention and writting skills etc. I had him re-evaluated by outpatient services. They found he still has SI. He recieves OT 1x per week. The school does their own evaluation and found “nothing”. They believe he may have ADD/ADHD. I had an ADD/ADHD screen done and it came back low probability. I explained they can be misled because of the impulsiveness, craving of movement or low stimili. How do I go about optainong a 504 plan for his file?
Thanks Avrey

Comment on New Study Supports Subtypes of Sensory Modulation Disorder by susanne

susanne — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 16:18:57 +0000

The difference between ADD/ADHD and SPD is very tricky to determine because the behaviors often look very similar. Simply stated, if your child has sensory issues then sensory treatments should help. In fact, most children who have SPD are not helped by the medications prescribed for ADHD. If you want to avoid the medication route, my recommendation would be to see an occupational therapist who is trained in sensory integration strategies. If this does not help, then maybe your son does have ADHD and not sensory issues. There are many children for whom medication is extremely effective. Some resources you might find helpful: Dr. Lucy Jane Miller’s books, “Sensational Kids: Hope and Help for Children with SPD” and “No Longer A SECRET: Unique Common Sense Strategies for Children with Sensory or Motor Challenges” and our website: http://www.spdfoundation.net.