It's not a real problem - it's bad parenting!

[airial95]

While this isn't related specifically to PANDAS - I know I've faced that perception many times. I'm just an overindulgent mom with a spoiled brat kid who needs nothing more than a good spanking.

 

Maybe this child didn't really have a problem and was just playing her parents - but to entirely dismiss SID as nonsense? That's a bit of a reach

 

I was already in a really bad mood yesterday when I came across this...it didn't help.

 

http://www.theledger.com/article/20100601/NEWS/6015017

[kimballot]

Ahh... in my next life I want to be John Rosemond and have all the answers and well behaved children. I do truly admire the man and I think his common-sense parenting is great for typically-developing kids and for my son when he is feeling well. I also enjoy reading his extensive line of research (his two children and seven well-behaved grandchildren, from what I can gather, are his research subjects), which is a testament to his approach. The man is also an excellent writer and story teller, and he does have a full line of books to sell on his website ( http://www.rosemond.com/ ). I am not sure, though, if this particular article tells the whole story.

 

Mr. Rosemond's story about a child who was diagnosed with Sensory processing disorder and the OT clinic that recommended therapy strikes me as not quite telling the whole story. While I am not privy to the whole story, it would really be against standard operating procedure for an occupational therapist to recommend sensory integrative intervention based on a potential sensory preference in one area (dressing). I suspect that if the therapist recommended SI intervention the child was having dificulty with sensory processing across environments and tasks (ex: sticky glue in preschool, getting hair washed, having finger nails and toenails clipped, eating a variety of textures). IF an OT recommended intervention based on ONE behavior - then shame on that OT and Mr. Rosemond is correct in his admonishment. If, however, the OT recommended intervention due to a pattern of behaviors seen across environments to the same trigger - then I wonder if Mr. Rosemond's intervention also solved the problems in other environments (glue?hairwashing?toenails?fingerpaint?food textures?)

 

While Mr. Rosemond is correct that Sensory Integration does not have the wide scientific basis that older approaches, such as behaviorism, have, he is not correct when he states that there is no scientific evidence behind sensory integration. Dr. Lucy Jane Miller, the founder of SPD foundation ( http://www.spdfoundation.net/founder.html ) has dedicated her life to investigating sensory processing disorder and she and others have demonstrated, among other things, changes in cortisol levels in children with sensory processing problems and changes in goal directed behavior using sensory interventions. A listing of SOME SI research is easily found on the SPD website at http://www.spdfoundation.net/library.html

 

Dr. Miller's foundation has also been successful in having "sensory processing disorder" listed in the 2006 Diagnostic Manual: Zero to Three (sort of a DSM for Early Intervention), and in the 2007 Diagnostic Manual for Infancy and Early Childhood... and the diagnosis of SPD has made the "final cut" to be included in the DSM V. ( http://www.spdfoundation.net/dsmv.html )

 

As with any type of biological problem, chldren with SPD do run a high risk of developing behavior problems as well. Children with physcial problems often CANNOT have typical behavioral interventions used until the underlying physical problem is addressed. Too many professionals see the world as "sensory" or "behavioral" as Mr. Rosemond is espousing. I, personally, am a strong believer in combining sensory integration and positive behavioral support for the betterment of individual children.

 

But then again, what do I know... I have a kid who was kicked out of preschool and play groups and sports camps... but he has somehow turned into a teenager that is respectful to teachers, friendly to other chldren, and polite to parents despite his physical illnesses. Hmmmm ....

Edited June 4, 2010 by kimballot

[tantrums]

Reminds me of a video of a little girl recently being posted around facebook. Her mother sat by quietly while she screamed hysterically for several minutes at her mom and the person filming. Everyone posting was appalled at the behavior and the mom. When I commented I'd bet money that child had pandas, friends asked me if what we went through was anything like that. They had NO idea it could be that bad as they had known my son for years. When I told them it was, they were shocked. They assumed seeing that girl, it was just lousy parents. Made me feel slightly better that knowing me and my son the first 5 years of his life, they now thought otherwise.

[airial95]

I agree with you, and I usually enjoy his columns. I especially agree that there is likely more to this story and the OT's dx. While SID is not definitive, this column attempts to boil down what is a very complex issue into a dismissive soundbite. Thereare many people out there who would use the same "speculative" definition to describe PANDAS. It would have been a much better column if there would've been an acknowledgement that while it may not have been the case here, it doesn't make sensory issues nonexistent.

 

 

I was in a really bad place when I read that and it really pushed the wrong button for me!

 

 

Ahh... in my next life I want to be John Rosemond and have all the answers and well behaved children. I do truly admire the man and I think his common-sense parenting is great for typically-developing kids and for my son when he is feeling well. I also enjoy reading his extensive line of research (his two children and seven well-behaved grandchildren, from what I can gather, are his research subjects), which is a testament to his approach. The man is also an excellent writer and story teller, and he does have a full line of books to sell on his website ( http://www.rosemond.com/ ). I am not sure, though, if this particular article tells the whole story.

 

Mr. Rosemond's story about a child who was diagnosed with Sensory processing disorder and the OT clinic that recommended therapy strikes me as not quite telling the whole story. While I am not privy to the whole story, it would really be against standard operating procedure for an occupational therapist to recommend sensory integrative intervention based on a potential sensory preference in one area (dressing). I suspect that if the therapist recommended SI intervention the child was having dificulty with sensory processing across environments and tasks (ex: sticky glue in preschool, getting hair washed, having finger nails and toenails clipped, eating a variety of textures). IF an OT recommended intervention based on ONE behavior - then shame on that OT and Mr. Rosemond is correct in his admonishment. If, however, the OT recommended intervention due to a pattern of behaviors seen across environments to the same trigger - then I wonder if Mr. Rosemond's intervention also solved the problems in other environments (glue?hairwashing?toenails?fingerpaint?food textures?)

 

While Mr. Rosemond is correct that Sensory Integration does not have the wide scientific basis that older approaches, such as behaviorism, have, he is not correct when he states that there is no scientific evidence behind sensory integration. Dr. Lucy Jane Miller, the founder of SPD foundation ( http://www.spdfoundation.net/founder.html ) has dedicated her life to investigating sensory processing disorder and she and others have demonstrated, among other things, changes in cortisol levels in children with sensory processing problems and changes in goal directed behavior using sensory interventions. A listing of SOME SI research is easily found on the SPD website at http://www.spdfoundation.net/library.html

 

Dr. Miller's foundation has also been successful in having "sensory processing disorder" listed in the 2006 Diagnostic Manual: Zero to Three (sort of a DSM for Early Intervention), and in the 2007 Diagnostic Manual for Infancy and Early Childhood... and the diagnosis of SPD has made the "final cut" to be included in the DSM V. ( http://www.spdfoundation.net/dsmv.html )

 

As with any type of biological problem, chldren with SPD do run a high risk of developing behavior problems as well. Children with physcial problems often CANNOT have typical behavioral interventions used until the underlying physical problem is addressed. Too many professionals see the world as "sensory" or "behavioral" as Mr. Rosemond is espousing. I, personally, am a strong believer in combining sensory integration and positive behavioral support for the betterment of individual children.

 

But then again, what do I know... I have a kid who was kicked out of preschool and play groups and sports camps... but he has somehow turned into a teenager that is respectful to teachers, friendly to other chldren, and polite to parents despite his physical illnesses. Hmmmm ....

[bgbarnes]

While this isn't related specifically to PANDAS - I know I've faced that perception many times. I'm just an overindulgent mom with a spoiled brat kid who needs nothing more than a good spanking.

 

Maybe this child didn't really have a problem and was just playing her parents - but to entirely dismiss SID as nonsense? That's a bit of a reach

 

I was already in a really bad mood yesterday when I came across this...it didn't help.

 

http://www.theledger.com/article/20100601/NEWS/6015017

 

I hate it when people come out and say it is the parenting! My SIL told my Mom on Mothers Day- the last time we were all together and we had just learned about PANDAS that I should deal with ds's behaviors and not search from some problem to fix....PLEASE- I have been dealing with the BEHAVIORS for years- from play therapy to social skills class to psychological evaluations etc...I have done more for "dealing with behaviors" than she has ever possibly considered- how the HECK does she think I kept digging for a CAUSE- because NOTHING WORKED and it waxed and waned???? My birthday is on fathers day and I really don't know if I can keep my mouth shut when I see her- I am not very fond of her and she is a complete Narcissist and I feel sorry for my brother but if she DARES say anything around me- the GLOVE COME OFF!!! I think they may come off anyway!

Brandy

Edited June 4, 2010 by bgbarnes