SPD moms...

How early did you discover your child had these issues? Riley is 2, and it's amazing that I've only just put it together. Probably because I only started reading up on it. I always thought her jumping was her way of expressing excitement....after all, she is an expressive kid. But the fact that she jumps incessantly in her crib when it's time to sleep, or even in the middle of the night- it's almost like she's doing it in her sleep. She's so high-wired and can't sit still. She can sit for tv and stories, though. She sucks her thumb, twirls her hair or yours if you're holding her. Seeks out bear hugs constantly. Is terrified of the vaccuum and sometimes the hand dryer in public bathrooms. Even though she's crazy energetic, she has no problem sitting in a stroller, carseat or high chair for long periods of time. Though if you take her out and put her back in, watch out. She has been a biting maniac, often making herself the victim.

I can imagine my ped will think it's too early, but I really want to have her evaluated. Is early intervention possible with spd? Thanks so much for listening.

Re: SPD moms...

I would say that it can't hurt to have an evaluation and let them know what you think. We did learn alot of things from the evaluation, even different ways to handle some situations. Some worked, some didn't, it's all a work in progress. My DD is 2 like your's so i think they attribute alot of it to the terrible 2's and do not take the parent's observations too seriously. IMO.

Good Luck

Message edited 8/14/2011 6:23:54 AM.

Re: SPD moms...

Both DS & DD started EI at 15 months. I don't think it's too early at all. I believe to qualify through EI you would have to have other defecits. They don't give therapy for SPD, I think. You never know what will come up though. You may want to look into getting OT through your insurance too.

Good Luck!

Re: SPD moms...

Not until DS was about 3, but this is when I first read about it. Before that, I didn't know much about it at all, and a lot of the behaviors you described, I also attributed to the terrible 2s. I do feel as if our EI social worker brushed any concerns I had in this arena aside since DS was 21 months when he started, and 2.5 when he finished (he had speech through EI). Now I do wish I pushed her to do more, but I honestly didn't know what to make of these things and was happy to hear that he would probably grow out of it.

Yes, generally other deficits need to be present to qualify for SPD therapy. DS is getting OT services, but he has fine motor delays. The reason is that SPD is not yet recognized as a medical diagnosis, though there is a push to get it included in the next DSM.

I do not think it's too early. If you are seeing behaviors that indicate an SPD, ask for an evaluation with an OT (one who is certified to address sensory processing disorder, not all are).

Re: SPD moms...

Thanks so much. Yeah, she doesn't have any deficits. She's just a virtual pinball machine. I do worry about het when she goes back to daycare. Her behavior worries me sometimes, her tantrums are lethal lately- hitting, biting. It could also be that she has been thrown completely off schedule lately and is utterly exhausted. The more tired she is, the more off the wall she is. It just seems like the day she turned 2 her behavior has completely changed. Makes me sooo sad. So yeah, it could be part of the twos.

My own reading of spd led me to this. Just from stumbling on it on LIF. But I brought it up to my sister who is a teacher and she totally agreed. She just seems waaay over stimulated in so many ways. I guess because she doesn't haven deficits, it might be tough to get any help. Til then, I'll try to educate myself and help her in my own way. First order of business- once our vacay is over, I'm gonna be a hard azz about her schedule.

Thanks for listening.

Re: SPD moms...

Tara, it's definately not too early and don't let your pediatrician stop you from an evaluation. You don't need a referral.

Seems like she is more of a seeker of proprioceptive input which is why she is so energetic. She needs sensory input. There are a lot of things you can do at home to help. Bear hugs is a great one and it seems you're already doing. YOu can also try and wrap her in a blanket (call it a Reilly burrito for fun). I also have Matthew lay down and either cover him with a pillow or a huge ball and apply pressure. It is amazing how quickly you will see them calm down a bit.

Part of the sitting still can definately be attributed to age and personality too. DS was the same way and I thought we would never ever go out to dinner again. But now he is so much better. Just need to manage my own expectations and be prepared. We always have his ipod touch with us to keep him occupied.

There are a lot of really great sensory savvy moms on this board so I hope they chime in. If not do a search for Colesman and Sapphire on special needs and you'll get a lot of good "at home" exercises. There are two others that come to mind but I forget their SN. I'll have to search myself. If you have questions or need to talk let me know.


It gets better!

Re: SPD moms...

yes, schedule throws everything off for us. When he is not in school/daycare he sometimes goes off the wall. Especially if we're not busy all the time and if he is tired. It's a very slippery slope. Had I had him home with be while I was off on maternity leave it would have been a disaster, he would have regressed so much.

Keeping her busy with swimming, playground, running, jumping, trampolines, sandbox...those things help a lot! Look for open play too and let her just go.

When winter comes it is a lot tougher because it seems like the opportunities to do these things are less.

Re: SPD moms...

I am definitely going to be sending you an FM but I wanted to respond on the board as well.

Your dd is not too young to be evaluated, in fact INSIST on an OT evaluation. (they sometimes try to deter from that). They should give you a sensory profile to fill out and when it comes up that she has sensory seeking and some sensory defensiveness, make sure if she qualifies for OT (she has to have difficulties in fine motor (small muscle--type skills in order to qualify). Sadly Sensory Processing Disorder is not considered a "real" diagnosis as of yet. And because of that, a child will not necessarily receive OT if they aren't delayed in small muscle skills. However, usually....sensory integration issues bring on motor planning problems so very often the child will qualify.

I was very pleased with the OT who evaluated my dd from Marion Salomon. As well as the first OT who evaluated her but I don't think she does many evals. It's really really frustrating because sensory processing disorder is not truly understood by most. So many therapists think they should bring some "toys with lights and sounds" and then the child will fufill their sensory needs. Or if the child is jumping around, crashing, they should try to soothe them (actually the opposite should be done).

Children are intuitive, they know what they need. If they are jumping it's because they are trying to activate their receptors that are basically, at a low arousal state.

We need to treat this disorder from the ground up, and sadly most therapy that is given to these children are not treating the cause but just bombarding them with cognitive tasks that are sometimes completely "out of sync" .

Books like the out of sync child, is excellent. I also found that The Well Balanced Child by Sally Goddard Blythe as well as, Physical Activities for Improving Children's Learning and Behavior by Billie Ann Cheatum, really go even deeper into understanding the different sensory systems.

Oh and biting,...there is usually something nutritional/biomedical that connects with that strong oral motor urge. But you can definitely try giving your dd a bagel or something that requires a lot of 'work' for propriceptive input.

Re: SPD moms...

Oh, I wanted to mention also, even if you think your child has no fine motor delays, it is not a bad idea to have an OT evaluation anyway. I knew my DS was somewhat behind in his fine motor skills, but when he was evaluated, it turned out he is VERY behind, more so than I imagined.

When you ask for an evaluation, I would also emphasize the biting and your concern that she will be unable to function in a classroom/daycare due to the biting. Maybe it's just my experience, but I do feel as if people pay more attention to hitting, biting, and behaviors such as this that affect other children and group as a whole, then to jumping, twirling, etc. Sadly, the problem behaviors do seem to get more attention.

Definitely look at the "Out of Sync Child" and the other books Sapphire mentioned.

Re: SPD moms...

You have all been so amazingly helpful, thank you! I can't wait to get on board to figure it all out and help my little girl. Thanks so much.

Re: SPD moms...

DS just had an evaluation today for speech and feeding issues.. The woman who came said he definitely had a SPD. She saw things in him that I knew about and thought he had a spd, but she also pointed out that he is constantly on the go. He bounces from one thing to another.. I just thought it was typical toddler behavior. DS can play by himself with one object for a long period too.The SPD may be contributing to his feeding issues... DS is 21 months old. Your DD is not too young for EI... Do it as soon as you can...Good luck..

Re: SPD moms...

Hey ladies, I called the NJ EI line today...should get a call back in the next two days. Supposedly I answer all these questions on the phone first. I think I found what those questions are on their website and Riley is pretty much gonna pass it with flying colors. I guess I just have to be prepared with all of her other 'symptoms'? Anything else I should be prepared with? TIA!!