New Research on Sensory Over-Responsivity (SOR) suggests possible prenatal risk factors, genetic heritability and supports uniqueness of Sensory Processing Disorder/SOR.

Dr. Hill Goldsmith, a member of the SPD Scientific Workgroup from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and his colleagues recently published two peer-reviewed manuscripts that evaluated the genetics of Sensory Over-Responsivity^{1, 2}. The first study focuses on SOR at age 2 years and examines toddler temperament and prenatal risk factors. The second paper focuses on SOR at age 7 years and examines distinctiveness of SOR with other diagnoses.

In the first paper ¹ 1026 pairs of twins were evaluated at 2 years of age. This study did not include any individuals with autism, fragile X, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, or Down syndrome, and 94.4% of the twins in the study were reported to be white. There were 348 monozygotic (i.e., identical), 358 dizygotic (i.e., fraternal) same-sex, and 320 dizygotic opposite-sex twin pairs. Caregiver reports were used to obtain information on temperament and SOR.

This study reported that at 2 years of age:

• Signs of negative temperament or distress reactions (e.g., anger, sadness, and more troublesome to sooth) and fear (e.g., fearful of objects and social situations in contrast to finding many situations pleasurable) were moderately correlated with auditory and tactile SOR symptoms.

• Prenatal complications significantly predicted tactile SOR symptoms. However, birth weight, length of stay in NICU, birth complications, neonatal complications, and neonatal morbidity were not associated with either tactile or auditory SOR.
• Girls with a male co-twin showed greater SOR at age 2 years than same-sex female dizygotic twins, suggesting a possible increase risk associated with in utero testosterone exposure.
• Both auditory and tactile SOR domains were heritable. Each SOR domain had a similar genetic relationship with temperamental fear and negative affect.

In summary, this study suggests that the causes and risk factors for tactile versus auditory SOR are to some degree unrelated to each other. Additionally, the findings indicate that prenatal factors should be further investigated, especially in relation to tactile SOR.

The second study² evaluated SOR in relationship to other common diagnosis in 7 year old children. The primary caregiver (mostly mother’s) of 970 children completed the Sensory Over-Responsivity Inventory³ and a diagnostic interview. Children with autism or pervasive developmental disorders were not included. The study included approximately equal numbers of female and male children and approximately equal numbers of monozygotic, same-sex dizygotic, and opposite-sex dizygotic twin pairs. The majority of the sample was Caucasian (83%), with 4% Hispanic, 4% African American, and 6% other. A limitation of this study was that a confirmatory diagnosis of SPD was not provided by clinicians or occupational therapists for those individuals who screened positive for SOR.

This study reported that at about 7 years of age:

• A majority (58.2%) of individuals who screened positive for SOR did not qualify for a DISC diagnosis (Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children; ADHD, conduct disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, agoraphopia, general anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, separation anxiety, social phobia, specific phobia, depression, enuresis, trichtollomaniatics, selective mutism, pica).
• A majority (68.3%) of individuals who screened positive for a DISC diagnosis did not screen positive for SOR.
• Children who screened positive for SOR only and typical children had similar rates of physical health problems.

In summary, the results provide tentative support that SPD, and more specifically SOR occurs independently of other recognized common childhood psychiatric diagnoses. However, SOR is also a relatively frequent comorbid condition with recognized diagnoses and possibly genetic factors contribute to this comorbidity.

1. 1.Keuler MM, Schmidt NL, Van Hulle CA, Lemery-Chalfant K, Goldsmith HH (2011). Sensory overresponsivity: prenatal risk factors and temperamental contributions. Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics, 32(7):533-541.
2. 2.Van Hulle CA, Schmidt NL, Goldsmith HH (2011). Is sensory over-responsivity distinguishable from childhood behavior problems? A phenotypic and genetic analysis. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, [Epub ahead of print].
3. 3.Schoen SA, Miller LJ, Green KE (2008). Pilot study of the sensory over-responsivity scales: Assessment and inventory. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 62:393-406.

DARCI M NIELSEN, PhD, Senior Neuroscientist, Sensory Processing Disorder Foundation

Fall is here and the weather in Virginia is finally in sync. Everyone has adjusted to our new schedules and hectic days and nights. The weekends have not left much time for rest either.

I have noticed that these past few weeks have been filled with a lot of events involving the boys. Joshua has had baseball, cub scouts, and several birthday parties. He has also been requiring a lot more help than last year in the homework department. It is amazing what they learn these days. Jackson has been very busy with t-ball, practicing t-ball, working outside and doing his “homework”. I have exhausted the roads with my taxi service, did my part to help both schools with PTA events, fundraising events, parent helper duties, tried to work, exercise, and clean in between. Jack had been out of town and trying to catch up on his stuff when he is back in town. Madison has had school and started dance but has been more of a copilot and companion than an active participant in the madness. This is the first time in forever I can knowingly recognize that Madison did not dominate the hour, day, week, etc. and this has given me many mixed emotions.

I am first elated because that means that she has settled into herself and her environment has settled into her. I also feel like we are entering new territory. She has such a wonderful independence and incredible spirit and most days I can almost excuse anything and everything to age, mood, etc. I know she has Sensory Processing Disorder but on days like these it is not forefront on my mind. What a wonderful statement to be able to make. I also feel we are in a new and different place because her sensory issues are not as apparent (once I knew what they were) as they once were. The hardest part of my latest revelation is the amount of regret I have that I was not able to give all my children such consistent, undivided attention. Joshua had two years with me before the twins came so I know he got a good share of “all of me” but Jackson has never experienced that type of attention.

Jackson has always been an incredible baby/boy and has never demanded the spotlight. I actually asked that the twins be placed in separate preschool classes so Jackson could figure out who he is. He has either been on the heels of Joshua’s footsteps or taking care of his twin sister. Last year he was able to figure out who he was and what he liked. He was finally able to accept that he did not have to do things for Madison. He had spent so much time doing this that he didn’t know what to do or who to be without his siblings. Thanks to Chestnut Memorial Preschool (the best preschool ever) and Ms. Denton (his first, bestest, teacher) he found himself and discovered what an awesome little person he is.

The boys have always been great about sharing my time and attention. As young as they were they somehow understood Madison needed me. I was grateful I had such great boys and looked at how sweet and empathetic they were. I used Madison’s “moments” as teaching lessons for the boys. What great learners they became!

As our schedules have changed and they have realized Madison no longer needs as much as she did before, I feel that some resentment has surfaced. The boys are less patient with her “moments” and often react before the situation has played out. They are less understanding of her and their tolerance level with some of her behaviors is very little.

I feel bad for her and then I feel bad for them. I wish I could explain the last four years to them but I can’t even truly explain them to myself. We just did what needed be done and so did they, no choice, just do it. As they are growing older, they are naturally presented with a choice of tolerance. Trying to help them understand something I fully don’t is very hard. I can often hear Madison trying through frustration to help them understand. She just says that her brain isn’t working or she can’t figure out why she is acting a certain way.

I am so sad that the boys still have a few years to go before they can understand enough about Madison that they would understand her reactions. We are taking little steps and trying to explain but it is very difficult to explain without justifying the behavior. I hope the majority of their frustration is gender and sibling related but my instinct tells me with at least one of them it is more.

Right now I just continue to try to explain and help her to identify and explain her own reactions. I also try to spend some one on one time with each of them so they know how truly special and important they are.

AMY BORNHOFT lives in Virginia with her husband, son, and twins (boy and girl). She works for Soulcial Solutions, developing new business and Child Development Resource Center, raising awareness and funds. She also facilitates a support/resource group through Parent Connections at the Sensory Processing Disorder Foundation. She would like for readers to identify with her families experiences and realize they are not alone. She also hopes parents will open up about the positive and negative impact Sensory Processing Disorder has on their lives.

The SPD Foundation will be hosting a Sibshop on January 27, 2012 at Cherry Creek Presbyterian Church, 10150 E. Belleview Ave., Englewood, CO 80111. Registration is $39. For more information call 303-794-1182 or email info@spdfoundation.net.

In the last few weeks, we’ve heard a lot about “the 1%”, referring to the wealthiest among us in America, the confident men and clever women who have risen to the top.

I was recently reminded of another 1%. Last year, my son Henry scored in the 1^st percentile for expressive speech. At 3, he could barely put two words together and no one but his father, sister, and I could decipher any of it. I cannot say that this was an easy test result.

So what happens when a family with a long line of confident men and clever women meets a child who seems born from another age and another world? A world where all the tests are not assuredly passed? Where all the lines aren’t colored neatly within? But somehow a softer, richer, deeper world?

They are at first baffled, later intrigued, and finally, romanced, like a respectable woman of decades past witnessing a modern art exhibit for the first time.

She stands before the canvas as her upright and proper voice narrates: This doesn’t fit here. This doesn’t suit my understanding of how things work at all. It’s quite inconvenient to tell you the truth. But…it is actually almost pretty…if you look at it in a certain kind of way. She leans her head slowly as her eyes sharpen their focus. Yes, I can see it. It’s quite beautiful, really.

I was beyond baffled when I first saw Henry’s canvas. I was upright and proper and angry. For the first two years, he didn’t fit here. He didn’t suit my understanding of how things work at all. It was quite inconvenient to tell you the truth. But…

Henry turned four this weekend. He recently scored in the 50^th percentile in speech. For us, a birthday is an opulent occasion to praise the canvas. Through meltdowns and food refusals and not being potty trained and still wanting to sleep in my bed and too loud, too bright, too much…I manage to be completely romanced.

Henry romances us with a je ne sais quoi that comes from his softer, richer, deeper world. And I am confident he would not be all that he is without his history of “multiple misarticulations involving numerous phonological processes”.

The artist has something extraordinary in mind, even if I don’t get it. So here’s to gazing at the messy masterpiece.

SALLY KAY works in California politics and lives with her husband and two young children. She writes about the good and the bad as her family loves and learns on HenryInParticular.blogspot.com. Her hope is that other parents of kids with Sensory Processing Disorder will feel known as they read her writings while sharing in the tenderness and laughter of the journey. Sally also enjoys fashion, food, and all things California.

Use your Senses One Step at a Time

1^st Annual 5k and 1-Mile Family Walk

Celebrating the Grand Opening of Our New Facility

5k starting line. Photo courtesy of McBoat Photography.

One hundred and fifty walkers came out for our 1^st annual walk, benefitting both the Sensory Processing Disorder Foundation and the STAR Center. It was a beautiful, sunny fall day in Colorado… a perfect day to “Use Your Senses.” The colors of the trees changing, the smell of the crisp air, the sound and feel of the leaves crunching under our feet, and the taste of fine food all made for a sensational event.

Everyone had such a great time, especially the kids. We had two very talented face painters, Buttons the Clown making balloon animals, a race car from Night Gallery Racing Team, great food from LIME, frozen yogurt samples from Zinga, and many more vendors and exhibitors showing their incredible products and services.

Grand opening ribbon cutting. Photo courtesy of McBoat Photography.

We had two fund raising events this year – the 5k walk and a concert with Coles Whalen. Nearly $10,000 was raised between these two events. Along with these fund raising events we were fortunate enough to be involved with the Vivint Gives Back Project earlier this year. Through your votes we were entered into a contest for a chance to win either a $100,000 or a $250,000 cash donation from Vivint. Although we did not win either of these two cash prizes, we were able to participate in several matching donation periods. We received a check this week for a total of $23,610 in donations from supporters and matching donations through Vivint! The funds raised this year will go toward our research labs and the building of the first outdoor sensory playground in the state of Colorado.

More than anything, we hope to raise awareness and educate others about the challenges those with sensory processing disorder and their families face. Through your generous donations, our research will continue and help to identify the sources, recognize the symptoms, and develop effective treatment of sensory processing disorder.

We thank all of you who joined and supported us in these events this year and hope to see you again next year.

See all of our sponsors and more pictures on our 5k walk recap page.

The Sensory Processing Disorder Foundation and the STAR Center are celebrating the grand opening of our new facility in Greenwood Village, Colorado this Sunday, October 16^th with our 1^st Annual Use Your Senses One Step at a Time Walk.

Registration will open at 8:00 am and we’ll kick off the celebration with a 5K walk or a 1-mile family walk starting at 9:00 am. At 10:30, there will be a short ribbon cutting ceremony and then on to the festivities!

We will have face painters, balloon animals, tours of the facility, free food from LIME, and exhibitors selling toys, jewelry and gifts. We will also be selling “mystery” bags containing merchandise, gift cards, and coupons, valued between $25-$150 for only $20. There will be children’s bags and adult bags to choose from.

Night Gallery Racing Team's 1967 Camaro

And, if that wasn’t enough we will also have a race car on site! The 1967 Camaro is from the Night Gallery Racing Team with a top speed of 167 miles per hour. They participate in 15-25 races per year with current sponsors including M.A.D.D. (Mothers Against Drunk Drivers) and FSD (Freedom Service Dogs). You are welcome to bring your camera and take pictures sitting inside the car.

Pre-registration online is only $25 per person and will be $35 per person the day of the event (Kids 12 and under are free). You will receive a free t-shirt and gift bag with lots of goodies, too.

We hope you’ll join us in celebration of our wonderful new location. Don’t miss out on all the family fun!

Register today!

Our Fall e-Newsletter, Sensations is now available and posted on our website. We post three newsletters a year loaded with updates and helpful resources. If you would like to be on our mailing list to receive our newsletter via email please complete our sign up form.

Here are some of the highlights:

• Dr. Lucy Jane Miller’s Welcome Letter talks about the amazing new outdoor sensory playground we hope to build at our new facility.
• Our Feature Article, Sensory Success in the School has great ideas for OTs to teach teachers how to set up a sensory classroom.
• Our senior neuroscientist, Darci Nielsen writes an update on our brain wave research in the Research Update.
• STARLights Parent Tips has some great ideas for parents with picky eaters.
• STARLights OT Tips is a review of literature on treating adolescents and adults with SPD.
• There’s a very sweet piece from a parent who writes about Celebrating the Milestones.
• And don’t miss the Education Section which tells all about the fantastic education opportunities coming up.

Click on any of the links above and you can navigate your way through the entire newsletter.

Enjoy!

Are you familiar with that term? I’m pretty sure my oldest coined it in 2006 when he started kindergarten. He would arrive home, off the bus, and the moment he was in the house  -  all bets were off. Crying, yelling, starving, and crazy, he would be a Tasmanian Devil running ramped through our house, on top of furniture, fighting with his brothers, and otherwise just losing his proverbial mind. That is the let-down-meltdown.

It is the product of ‘holding it together’ all day at school. It is a side effect of not having  -  and following  -  a sensory diet during the day. His body needs more than it is getting, and instead of having his teacher recognize it, he gets ‘Wow, you’re doing great!’ and hence, he is forced to continue to hold it together. Sound familiar?

I found this to be one of the most difficult things to explain to my boys’ teachers and schools over the years. Just because they are holding it together, doesn’t mean they’re OK. They need help. They need consistent sensory input to keep them calm and organized during the day. Hence, a full sensory diet that acknowledges each sensory challenge they are faced with, and builds in the right breaks, input and other accommodations they need so that their little bodies aren’t on overload for 6 hours straight  -  with no release to count on until it is too late. Enter the let-down-meltdown at 3:26pm when they walk through the door.

I have detailed my son Gabriel’s sensory diet from when he was in first grade, you can find it here on the SPD Blogger Network, and I encourage you to check it out if your child is struggling to get through the day (and what kiddo isn’t this time of year?!). But for the purpose of this post, let’s talk about what you can do when you get the let-down-kid home.

When this started happening for my oldest son Gabriel, the first person I consulted was his occupational therapist (followed very closely by the SPD Parent Connections group here in my home state of Washington  -  nothing beats parent to parent resource sharing). Our amazing OT helped me recognize what was going on with Gabriel, and through careful observation from me; we detailed a plan of attack to combat the let-down-meltdown when Gabriel arrived home. This isn’t to say we didn’t address the core sensory diet issue at school, but sometimes you have to work with what you can control  -  and I can control his at home environment much easier than the school environment!

The very first thing we did to help combat the let-down-meltdown was to make sure that Gabe came into a calm house  -  no other kids, no TV, no extra sounds that would be over the top until he could get settled in. Once his stuff was put away, we went directly for the weighed compression vest. I wrapped it tightly around him, loaded it with weights, and sat him at the kitchen table for a snack and a show. The vest would stay on for 20 minutes, roughly the length of a Backyardigains episode, and while it provided the necessary calming input, Gabe needed to eat  -  and eat immediately.

From an early age, Gabriel has needed to eat more often than most kids, not specifically more food, but more often. Gabe’s afternoon meltdowns were fueled by hunger that he couldn’t articulate or get addressed at school  -  a part of SPD that isn’t often talked about, but the sense of Interoception makes it harder for our kids to feel these things until it is quite literally too late. But with the need to eat, comes an opportunity for sensory input. The jaw has large and strong muscles, so giving Gabriel a snack that took advantage of that, like crunchy granola bars and a yogurt through a straw, was an ideal way to provide some additional proprioceptive input  -  exactly what Gabe needs to calm and organize.

Once we were done with the show, and the snack, Gabe was usually able to function and hopefully we had fended off the majority of the let-down-meltdown. He wasn’t a ‘let’s go to a birthday party’ version of calm, but functional. On days that he still needed something more after we took his vest off, we would do bean tub play, or swinging in the backyard, or maybe a bath. We call those ‘relaxing bathes’ because you aren’t forced to wash anything, you just get to play. He still takes those even at 10.

I want to mention here that for at least the first half of kindergarten, we not only followed this routine to the letter every single day (nothing beats a visual schedule and a routine!), but we used the compression vest per our occupational therapist’s suggestion for 20 minutes EVERY HOUR until bedtime. As the year went on, we moved to using his weighted blanket as well, which is an incredible therapeutic tool, and is terribly underutilized by most families (check here for ideas on how to use the blanket for things other than sleeping).

Every child is different, and the solution to their let-down-meltdown will have to be customized to them, so as always, don’t start implementing therapy tools at your house without consulting your child’s therapist. You knew that, right?

So here’s to the start of school; may all of your kiddos come home calm and organized!

HARTLEY STEINER lives in the Seattle area with her three sons. She is the award winning author of the SPD Children’s book This is Gabriel Making Sense of School, and Sensational Journeys as well as the founder of the SPD Blogger Network (www.spdbloggernetwork.com). She is a contributing writer for the SPD Foundation’s blog, S.I. Focus Magazine and Autism Spectrum Quarterly, among dozens of other online websites and blogs. You can find her chronicling the never ending chaos that is her life right here on the blog Hartley’s Life With 3 Boys (www.hartleysboys.com) and on Twitter as @ParentingSPD. When she isn’t writing, or dealing with a meltdown, she enjoys spending time in the company of other adults preferably with good food and even better wine.

Like many of your kids out there, feelings can be intense for our ’sensational’ kids. Emotions can elicit big reactions in their little bodies that feel uncomfortable, overwhelming and even a little scary. I know this has always been true for my daughter, Jaimie.

As is the situation with many of your children, I’m sure, Jaimie learned to fear people, objects or situations that triggered those ’scary’ feelings. It got to the point she’d avoid anything that even might have caused her discomfort. That’s no way to enjoy your childhood! So one of the exercises we learned from our occupational therapist that I still do with Jaimie on a daily basis (and now with my son, Xander) is helping her give words to the feelings she has during certain times. The purpose of this is to nip the rise to a sensory overload tantrum in the bud, help her become more in-tuned with what happens in her body then name those feelings so they don’t seem as big to her. Then together she and I can figure out how to ease her body back down to where it feels calm and happy.

This is a strategy that works really well for Jaimie because she has strong verbal skills and has become more self-aware this past year. Recently, we demonstrated our game on her blog day and thought other caregivers might find it useful to see how we do it. If your child has good verbal and descriptive skills, this might be a strategy to try. As with anything, tweak it to work with your child’s needs, abilities and interests and always check with your therapist before trying something new.

Here’s Jaimie’s list of the most common ‘Feeling Words’ we talk about. (I asked her the words in bold and Jaimie’s responses follow. I usually type her responses verbatim.)

HAPPY: That’s when my cheeks feel tingly and my tummy feels like butterflies are in there trying to get out and I smile. Sometimes I laugh too. I’m happy with Mama, playing some stuff with Jordy and going to Toys-R-Us and if Mama lets me have candy.

SAD: My eyes hurt and they get tears and my tummy feels sick. Sad is when Mama goes out without me or when Maddie moved to Calgary or saying Goodbye to Mrs. Fawcett or if I can’t do something fun I want to.

MAD: Mad is when my chest is sore and I feel like crying and all I want to do is scream and hit and throw stuff. Mad is when Xander touches me at dinner or Sophie touches my stuff or when Dad does Mama jobs.

SCARED: That’s when my heart is going fast and I feel like crying and I just want to hide under my covers with Lamby. Scared is when I have bad dreams or when Mama goes out and I wake up without her or when I have to do something new or when I don’t know about something.

EXCITED: Excited is like happy only better because something GREAT is going to happen! And I can feel my heart beat SUPER fast and my breath is super fast! Excited is when we go to the water park or a field trip or going to Toys R Us or when Grams comes. Yeah, but, I’m a little scared when Grams comes too but not so much since I’m bigger.

LONELY: Oh I don’t like this the same as I don’t like scared. Lonely hurts my feelings. It’s like when I have calm down time by myself when I get super mad or when Maddie isn’t here to play with me. It’s sort of like missing someone you like alot or love, like when Mama goes out sometimes or to a concert.

DISAPPOINTED: Um….that’s kinda like mad, I guess. But not really. It’s like I feel sort of mad like if we were supposed to do something then we couldn’t or whatever. But it’s sort of like sad too because you feel like crying.

WORRIED: This is when I sort of feel scared and my tummy hurts and my head hurts and I breathe funny and I want to cry. It’s kind of, like, when something is going to happen and I don’t know what it is then it goes in my head and I can’t stop thinking about it. Even when I want to sleep!

FRUSTRATED: Oh man! Frustrated is sort of the same as mad except it’s more when something bugs me. It’s like I just want to make my hands into fists and yell, “GR!” you know? I just want to stomp or something! Frustrated is when I can’t get my feet or hands to do what I KNOW what to do or when someone doesn’t understand me or hear me or when I can’t think of words to say so people understand me or when I try quatrillion times to do something and it still won’t work. It makes my tummy feel like something is stuck inside and makes me feel like crying. I don’t like frustrated.

RELIEVED: I don’t really know but I think it’s sort of like when we’re supposed to do something I don’t want to do or I feel scared to do then we don’t actually have to do it or when something isn’t as bad as I thought it would be. Relieved is when I say, “Whew! I feel so much better!” or that kind of thing.

TIRED: I feel tired lots of times. Sometimes when I wake up I’m tired and don’t feel good. But mostly after school and when we do stuff where all my energy is sucked out. Tired is when my whole body feels like someone is pulling down on me…kinda like when Sophie is trying to hang on me. I want to just close my eyes. I don’t always feel tired at night when I’m supposed to sleep. That’s pretty stupid. Mama tells me all the time she has the same problem.

ANXIOUS: I think this is like scared but I can’t breathe or anything when it happens. It’s like being so scared you pass out or something. I feel like this way alot. Mama has to sing to me or massage me and stay really close when it’s really terrible. But alot of times I can have Lamby and be okay. This happens at school when things are different or when there’s a substitute teacher or if I worry too much or stuff like that. It’s terrible and like feeling really sick but you just want to run away.

CHYNNA LAIRD – is a psychology major, freelance writer and multi award-winning author living in Edmonton, Alberta with her partner, Steve, and their three daughters [Jaimie (eight), Jordhan (six), and baby Sophie (three)] and baby boy, Xander (four). Her passion is helping children and families living with Sensory Processing Disorder and other special needs.

You’ll find her work in many online and in-print parenting, inspirational, Christian and writing publications in Canada, United States, Australia, and Britain. In addition, she’s authored an award-winning children’s book (I’m Not Weird, I Have SPD), two memoirs (the multi award-winning, Not Just Spirited: A Mom’s Sensational Journey With SPD and White Elephants), a Young Adult novel (Blackbird Flies) and an adult Suspense/Thriller (The Gift to be released late 2011).

Please visit Chynna’s website at www.lilywolfwords.ca, as well as her blogs at www.the-gift-blog.com and www.seethewhiteelephants.com, to get a feel for her work and what inspires her.

Use Your Senses One Step at a Time

October 16, 2011

8:00 AM-1:00 PM

We are celebrating the grand opening of our new location with a 5k and 1 Mile Family Walk in Greenwood Village! Proceeds will benefit both the Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) Foundation and STAR (Sensory Therapies And Research) Center.

Face painting, photo booths, balloon animals, and great food will make this a fun day for the whole family! On your walk you will use all seven of your senses! Sight: viewing the beautiful surroundings. Sound: the sound of numerous feet hitting the pavement. Touch: the feeling of the pavement, or maybe the hand of a loved one. Smell: the smell of the outdoors, that brisk fall air. Taste: the fun and fabulous food and beverages at the finish line. Vestibular: the balancing of your body as you take those many steps. Proprioception: the use of your muscles to navigate the trail.

Take a walk with us and help raise awareness and funds for SPD, one step at a time!

Pre-registration is $25; day of event is $35.

No charge for children 12 and under.

The walk will begin and end at our new facility:

5420 S. Quebec St., Suite 103

Greenwood Village, CO 80111

View more details and REGISTER NOW!

What an amazing turnout we had for the Sensory Processing Disorder Foundation benefit concert hosted by the Hard Rock Cafe! Over 250 guests packed the venue to see Coles Whalen and her band. Our VIP ticket holders had an incredible experience in the Green Room before the concert, as they had cocktails and snacked on the wonderful appetizers donated by the Hard Rock Cafe, met the band and special guests, and talked to the fabulous DJs who emceed for us. Not to mention the gift bags they received loaded with goodies!

Cha Cha Chavez with Jammin’ 101.5 and Mark Andrew with Mix 100 got the evening started and the crowd excited for the entertainment by giving away a set of Peter Frampton concert tickets. Then the band hit the stage and the party was on. Coles and the band were sensational and Coles had some special guests singing a few songs with her as well. Jim Dalton with The Railbenders joined the band and brought another surprise guest, Jake Schroeder from Opie Gone Bad! Their harmony together was spot on. Not long after that, Josh and Seth Larson from Something Underground took the stage with Coles and blew us all away again.

Shannon Stone with Dial Global stepped in during the break to announce the Sensational Sweepstakes. Throughout the evening guests donated money for our sweepstakes give-a-ways. Lucky winners went home with a Tennessee Traveler guitar autographed by Coles Whalen and her band (donated by Samick Music Corp.), Foo Fighter concert tickets, an autographed collection of country super star CDs, a diamond necklace from Trice Jewelers, and Jake Schroeder topped it off by throwing in a set of his personal Avalanche Tickets.

None of this would have been possible without the gracious donations from all of our sensational sponsors. Because of these incredible sponsorships and all of you who joined us for the evening, the Sensory Processing Disorder Foundation raised over $7,000 for research, education, and advocacy!

A big thank you goes out to Hard Rock Cafe, Coles Whalen and her band, our generous sponsors, and all of you who attended! You made this event a night to remember and a success for all the families touched by Sensory Processing Disorder.

SAVE THE DATE FOR OUR NEXT EVENT!

When: October 16, 2011

What: Use Your Senses One Step at a Time

1^st Annual 5K Walk (and 1 mile family walk)

Where: 5420 S. Quebec St., Suite 135 ⋅ Greenwood Village ⋅ Colorado ⋅ 80111

Why: Grand Opening Celebration and fundraising event for both the SPD Foundation and the STAR Center, our partner treatment facility

Visit our website for details and registration.