When it rains it pours.....SPD too....thanks kimballot

[bgbarnes]

Well I am not surprised after reading out of sync child- ( I think kimballot was the one to recommend OT consult)but my son was officially identified with SPD- he is a crasher and a banger sensory seeker- it was if the book was following him around when they identified him.

Part of me is ticked that all of the social skills groups, play therapy, biofeedback etc....NEVER PICKED UP ON IT- then there is the psychologist that told me he was severely impaired with ADHD- and my Mommy gut told me that is not it and keep looking- since that declaration more than one Dr has said he is not ADHD- the OT said he is NOT ADHD either.....it is all sensory related.....his muscle tone is great and she thinks we can manage it at home just providing the sensory outlet- but she well help me get the school trained to help him....

We are going to sign up for gymnastics and karate....he will love it!

I know many of the kids are SPD here- so any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Brandy

[kimballot]

I am glad to hear that you had an OT eval and will have this perspective to help guide you. Please remember that SPD is a diagnosis based on symptoms, as is ADHD, OCD, so many other letters in the alphabet soup our kids inherit. I think the sensory perspective will help you to understand and manage things better - and I am partial to that explanation because of my background. However, there is still room for behavior modification and family training and CBT and lots of other things.

 

I've never seen anyone prioritize treatment, but if I had to, I would address:

 

1. Any underlying medical issues (including infections!)

2. Sensory issues

3. Behavioral issues.

 

 

Please be sure that you provide your OT with information on PANDAS. My son had SPD during exacerbations but not in remission. Others have said the same. It can be confusing and frustrating for an OT to think they are making great progress with a kid - only to have a sudden unexplained return of symptoms. The OT needs to understand that you (as the parent) need to know if that happens because it is a sign of infection.

 

Best of luck and I hope the sensory diet helps to cut back on some of the behaviors!

Edited June 18, 2010 by kimballot

[dut]

Hi - for us the sensory stuff goes hand in hand with PANDAS. When the PANDAS recedes, so does the SPD. My dd7 gets the tactile defensiveness, eating isues relating to taste and texture and some noise stuff. My ds2 is the crazy banging into stuff type. He also loooves hot mints.. super hot kind that kids can't normally tolerate, sensory seeking again.

 

For my dd the SPD totally disappears when her PANDAS symptoms do. The only excpetion to that is maybe some super tight clothes across chest or underarms. My ds is not so clear cut but he's 2 and his PANDAS is less acute onset than hers.. or less noticeably so. She's a classic sudden onset kid, he's a little more chronic feeling/waxy wany type but it's so difficult to know 'cos of his age and I don't feel we've really got a handle yet on him 'cos we haven't "charted" him as closely as his sis.

 

Certainly, for my kids though, I don't feel that the SPD is a seperate entity, just yet more PANDAS symptoms...

[bgbarnes]

I am glad to hear that you had an OT eval and will have this perspective to help guide you. Please remember that SPD is a diagnosis based on symptoms, as is ADHD, OCD, so many other letters in the alphabet soup our kids inherit. I think the sensory perspective will help you to understand and manage things better - and I am partial to that explanation because of my background. However, there is still room for behavior modification and family training and CBT and lots of other things.

 

I've never seen anyone prioritize treatment, but if I had to, I would address:

 

1. Any underlying medical issues (including infections!)

2. Sensory issues

3. Behavioral issues.

 

 

Please be sure that you provide your OT with information on PANDAS. My son had SPD during exacerbation but not in remission. Others have said the same. It can be confusing and frustrating for an OT to think they are making great progress with a kid - only to have a sudden unexplained return of symptoms. The OT needs to understand that you (as the parent) need to know if that happens because it is a sign of infection.

 

Best of luck and I hope the sensory diet helps to cut back on some of the behaviors!

I always had him involved in sports knowing he needed to do something active everyday but his behavior and not being able to keep his hands to himself caused so many problems. He dropped out on his own choice of everything in the Spring but now I am looking at these activities that will address his sensory needs that it may really help! He is so excited about a punching bag too- then again what little boy wouldn't be! Thanks again kimballot- it really helped hearing the advice and suggestions from you!!!

I am really excited about working with the school to help him win in the classroom- they have a sensory room at the school so that might be a good resource to learn about!!!

Brandy

[saidie10]

Well I am not surprised after reading out of sync child- ( I think kimballot was the one to recommend OT consult)but my son was officially identified with SPD- he is a crasher and a banger sensory seeker- it was if the book was following him around when they identified him.

Part of me is ticked that all of the social skills groups, play therapy, biofeedback etc....NEVER PICKED UP ON IT- then there is the psychologist that told me he was severely impaired with ADHD- and my Mommy gut told me that is not it and keep looking- since that declaration more than one Dr has said he is not ADHD- the OT said he is NOT ADHD either.....it is all sensory related.....his muscle tone is great and she thinks we can manage it at home just providing the sensory outlet- but she well help me get the school trained to help him....

We are going to sign up for gymnastics and karate....he will love it!

I know many of the kids are SPD here- so any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Brandy

 

Glad you stuck to it and kept searching for answers! I too believe Mommy instincts are the most correct every time!

[AmberM]

My dd is a hardcore sensory seeker as well. She's 2 1/2 and actually does headstands in her crib! I'm always afraid she will snap her neck. She also chews on gravel and just about anything else hard to get that intense pressure. I just wanted to mention what everyone else said...... things get way more intense when yeast or bacteria are present. Don't get too upset about another dx, it really doesn't mean anything. As he heals, the sensory stuff will get better. My dd loves OT and just about any other rough and tumble activity though. It's her "me time"!