Sensory Processing Disorder Diagnosis

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Comment by Eileen Parker on December 10, 2009 at 6:20pm

I have SPD along with my autism, and I am 43 years old, so maybe I can help to give answers to your questions.

I often talk about sensory things on my blog Inside the Autism Experience. I hope the posts help!

And, please, do ask me a question, and I will likely answer it on my blog--that's the whole purpose of it.

And, Jessica's Soft Clothing, I haven't tried them because they're for kids, but do not underestimate the power of a child with SPD being comfortable. I know I have to change clothes many times a day because of discomfort. I notice that I get irritable and I don't know why until later, and often it's my clothes that are hurting me.

Eileen.

Comment by Colette on February 1, 2009 at 11:03pm

Hi, I'm new here. My 5-yr-old son, Nicholas, has Autism, and was diagnosed with SPD around the same time he was diagnosed with Autism - right around his second birthday. I, too, knew something was "off" since birth, however. He is my third child, and I just could not figure him out!!! He screamed so much as an infant, and for no apparent reason....now I know he was overstimulated!!! And there are many more behaviors that I can now explain, that back then seemed so mysterious!!! I really had no knowledge of Sensory Integration or Sensory Processing back then either; and now I have educated myself and learned so much so that I can understand my son a lot better!! Of course the problem is that the school is not educated on it, and is also resistant to what I continuously try to share with them. They still don't seem to understand how a "sensory break" could make such a huge difference in Nicholas' difficulties with sitting still and paying attention; and they seem convinced that a short time on the playground fulfills his Sensory Diet needs for the day!!!

Comment by Bratma on November 1, 2008 at 12:47am

for us..We knew something was 'off' with my Daughter from day one! but did not realize how bad it was until she was about 18 mos old and things just spiraled from there! it took us a couple years to get her diagnosed and to get some official help for her(SPD and other issues as well) but with the help of a great friend, we were able to help her a LOT at home with sensory play and different activities that REALLY helped! We are still trying to figure out what help she will need through school.

Comment by Jamie on October 30, 2008 at 10:23am

How did you all learn your child had SPD? Do you have an official diagnosis?

Comment by nikki on October 24, 2008 at 4:22pm

Grace i can relate to that my son is 8 will be 9 in a few weeks he goes to a special school in pa called mercyspeciallearning center anyway the district never found it until i took him private to a wonderful ot lady who works in pa/nj she has helped us alot but now we face learning issues to more and since he has apraixa of the speech it makes it harder but i can relate to what you have to deal with i wish they be more who could understand and spot thsoe faster

Comment by Grace Amstutz on October 24, 2008 at 2:09pm

My daughter is 9 & has not been dx'd until one month ago with SPD/SID as well as APD Auditory Processing Dysfunction & dyslexia, none of which was picked up by the school district. She'd fallen through the cracks, but now we have an advocate for our first IEP meeting with the school. Now we mean business!

Comment by Janice on October 13, 2008 at 12:22pm

I tried the miracle belt and had on and off success...any specific regimen for using it?

Comment by Jessica on May 31, 2008 at 4:25pm

Why can't Johnny sit still? Why does Jane spit out her food? Why is Jack so rough? Why does John grind his teeth? It's called Sensory Integration or Sensory Processing. Although everyone processes sensory information, we interpret sensory information differently from one another.
Someone dragging their fingers across a chalkboard or certain food textures may bother one person, but not another. When the way a person interprets or processes information from their senses interferes with learning and daily routines, it is considered Sensory Integration Dysfunction (SID) or Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD). Independent studies show that Sensory Integration Dysfunction can be found in up to 70% of children who are considered learning disabled by schools. But most go undiagnosed.