Sensory Processing Disorder

[Susan A]

Does anyone have a child with SPD?? My 4 y/o dd has it, and I would like to hear from anyone who has experience with it. BTW, she is a sensory seeker.

[Robin in Colorado]

At least 2 of my four have it. One is primarily a seeker; one is secondarily a seeker.

I'm on the way out the door just now, but if you'll e-mail me with any specifics, I'll be glad to reply when I get home...

[Missy J in VA]

My four year old son has it too, let me know what you want to know... Not that I have anywhere near all the answers.

A good book to start with is "The Out of Sync Child"
Some others that I have read are "Raising a Sensory Smart Child" and "Sensational Kids"

We go to Occupational therapy twice a week and have learned a lot from the therapist. She's taught us things to do at home.

My son is a sensory seeker, with tactile issues, and major self control and self regulation issues.

[Susan A]

What do you do to help him? I am reading The Out of Sync Child and laugh b/c she definitely has SPD:roflol: I am trying some of the ideas suggested. What works for ya'll????

[Shannon P]

Have you seen the Out of Sync Child has Fun? It has lots of activity ideas.:thumb:

[Jo in PRC]

Out of Sync Child and Out of Sync Child Has Fun are both excellent books, as is Raising a Sensory Smart Child. The two things that have made the biggest difference for us are therapy (sensory diet, neurofascia processing, bio-valent therapy, etc) and adjusting our lives/expectations to make Anna more comfortable. The good news is that now, at age 9, things are SO much easier. Anna can better verbalize and manage her needs and other people don't even know she has any issues.

[Robin in Colorado]

Two of my dds are hypotonic and are tactile defensive. One daughter seeks input to get herself going; she has visual ground issues. The other daughter seeks input to stop herself. She has issues with vestibular and proprioceptive senses.

So, here is what we do. First, we got OT. The earlier you start, the sooner you can help your child create new neuropathways. However, you don't need to do OT forever. Your child will plateau, at which time you stop with the professional help until something happens in your child's body to change things. Then you start up again until the next plateau. Some things that will trigger a need for a professional again are things like losing teeth; a broken bone; puberty.

Hmmmm, some things that work for us:

-brushing: I can't think of the proper name for this, but it is to help tactile defensiveness. It works for us.

-swinging: We have a swing hanging from the ceiling. You have to make sure you have it secure. Anyway, it's a net therapy swing. In-line (back and forth) swinging helps calm the neurological system. Our dc all like to lie back in this on a pillow and swing a bit before bedtime. It's also great to lower the swing and use it for the hypotonia exercises.

-mini tramp: this helps energize

-games: Certain games and puzzles are good for working with visual ground issues

-physical activity, like crab walking, wheelbarrow walking, tossing a beanbag, etc. However, incorporate the brain in this. For example, put a puzzle at one side of the room, and the pieces at the other. Start at the puzzle side, crab walk to the pieces, get a piece, wheelbarrow back to the puzzle and put it in; repeat until the puzzle is complete.

Our last OT was in -home and worked within our home environment, and with all of us. It was the best OT experience we have had. Also, she left sensory diet cards she had created just for our dc. Each card lists a short routine of activities that our dc can do together (without me) each morning before lessons begin.

[Robin in Colorado]

Adding: We discovered our oldest dd's issues when she was 3 1/2 (they were quite obvious by then :eyes: ) and got her into OT shortly after.

Our second dd was 7 1/2 when we finally figured out that what was going on with her was sensory. Her brain is affected differently and so her issues are different - in this case, more subtle. We got her in OT within 4 months.

Her improvement is not as rapid or as dramatic, and I am concerned that we will never get past simply coping with some of her issues, instead of eliminating them. However, we were able to eliminate most of our oldest dd's struggles with OT.

I strongly believe that the differences we see in our dds' responses to the OT is that we started younger with the one child. It's easier to affect changes in the brain with younger children.

[mariah m]

We are working with an OT who comes to our home. It is a free service around here that I am profoundly grateful for because I wouldn't have been able to afford it.

Some of Nicolas' daily activities are

Therapeutic Listening
Swing
Dizzy Disc
Balance activities
fine motor - puzzles, etc.

He seems more settled since we've started but he has a long way to go.

[tracy]

My 8 month old has Sensory Processing Disorder. I am learning as I go in order to meet his needs.

I do 'brushing' with him
I also do baby massage with natural oils

I have read the same books as already mentioned.

The Out of Sync Child
Raising a Sensory Smart Child

He currently wears noise cancellation headphones when he enters a noisy place like church, functions, and the mall.

We are in the middle of applying for services. An OT will come to our home.

I am saving and printing off the responses to this post for future knowledge.

[Susan A]

Thanks to all of you. I am brushing her daily, sounds funny doesn't it?:lol: But, she loves it. We adopted her from a woman who had no prenatal care and did cocaine her entire pregnancy.

I have an appointment w/ Rehabilitative Services and know they will help. One thing is my dd is extremely bright. I mean she more than keeps up w/her 7 y/o sister. Do any of you notice this w/your children??? She also seems to be a perfectionist, example...she tried working on some easy handwriting today and had a meltdown b/c it didn't look "good" she said. I thought it looked great but not her.

How do you deal w/the meltdowns??? Removing her from extra stimulus seems to help some but that makes it hard to go many places. I took her and my other 2 young ones, 7 y/o and 2 y/o, to the children's theatre in Birmingham. The other two sat still and did great but she sat in my lap and I felt as though I were trying to hold a bowl of jello w/out the bowl!!! Next time I will bring her some fidget toys to play with.

Do ya'll avoid doing things? If so, what are they?

Sorry if I am rambling here...just trying to get all my thoughts out!! Thanks!