Talk to me about SPD

[mo2]

I initially started looking into SPD for my son, who is almost 2. I'm convinced that he has a mild form of SPD but haven't sought treatment yet. But I'm not here to talk about him.

I started a thread on the general board about my daughter (6 yrs) being a picky eater, and it turned to, guess what?, SPD! So I went through the cheklist on sensory-processing-disorder.com that someone linked me to and checkmarked nearly all of the signs of hypersensitivity to oral input. I have always been very concerned about her health because of her limited diet. When she was younger her ped even did an extensive workup on her because she was underweight. Nothing came of it; she's just skinny. I do make her take a multivitamin but I know this is no substitute for a healthy diet. I am at my wit's end trying to get this child to eat.

I am working my way through The Out of Sync Child but it's slow going (not much time for leisure reading around here right now). I am hesitant to mention this to our doctor, as he seems like the type who might not believe in such a disorder or would be more likely to think I am overreacting. In the meantime, does anyone have any advice or recommendations on what I should do next? Or how to find a provider?

Thanks for reading.

[Kathy in MD]

The only specialist who can make a definative diagnosis is an OT (or the rare PT) who specializes in SPD. Our wonderful, wonderful dev ped did make a tenative diagnosis, but she referred us to an OT for confirmation.

Be careful and look for OT's that specialize in SPD, preferably one with certification, but at least one who has trained under experienced SPD OT's. OT's specialize in many areas, yet some have no qualms about branching into SPD based on reading info in professional publications. Certain parts of SPD therapy REQUIRE hands on traing of the therapist.

Unfortunately I can't provide any advice on excercises for oral sensitivities because that wasn't an SPD problem my ds had.

[Pam H]

I have so been there! We have not yet started on OT b/c of cost and age, but.... I was worried about vitamins and how to get them in him. I finally found a yummy multi-vitamin, I had to work up to the full dose, but we are there now and all is well. :001_smile: This is a powdered vitamin that I mix into his juice. Now this company has just come out with three different varieties of the same multi. Multi with digestive enzymes; multi with probiotics; and multi with free radical protection. Send me a pm if you are interested in the particulars!

[Kathy in MD]

[QUOTE=Pam H;628323]I have so been there! We have not yet started on OT b/c of cost and age, [QUOTE]

Cost can seem like an insurmountable problem, but the younger the child when therapy starts, the better the results. Mine started at 7.5 and still has residual problems because he was so "old". He did have very severe SPD, which would also impact the amount of residual poblems. But OT, even at his age, was worth it's weight in gold.

[NevadaRabbit]

http://www.sensory-processing-disorder.com/what-is-occupational-therapy.html

You'll find some links to help locate OT's at the bottom of the page.

Start by keeping a journal of what your child eats each day, and try to categorize by texture, flavor, temp, etc.

I would use the checklist and Out of Sync Child to develop a concise list of what you observe in your child that is of concern. Use those phrases that describe it medically - "oral hypersensitivity" for example - then specific behaviors like "refuses all lumpy textures" etc. Make several copies. Take one to your doctor, inform him that you've done some research, show him the list, and ask for a referral to XYZ Occupational Therapy Services (which you have hand-chosen). If your doc balks, ask him to refer you to a physician who would be able to help you, or just go choose another doctor.

You need to educate yourself and then boldly go tell him exactly what you know and exactly what you want. :)

[Laurie4b]

If you can self-refer to an occupational therapist, you could get started right away. I think more and more doctors are becoming aware of the symptoms, but ours was always cooperative when I explained something and asked for a referral for something like OT.

[Cadam]

If you can't self refer then you have to plan a meeting with the dr. Have someone there to watch the kids or don't bring them at all. Dress in business casual. Slacks and a blouse or a skirt and sweater. Be confident and bring in a developmental history and list of symptoms in triplicate (one for you to reference, one for the nurse to put in the file and one for the dr.

Take the line that you want this checked out, not that you have diagnosed it. If he resists try something like "That could be, but I would feel more comfortable if we just do the evaluation. If we can rule out sensory issues then that is great and we can move on to other things."

This worked very well for me. I was confident and prepared so the Ped. just did what I asked in the end. I used my "I am an immovable rock on this topic" vibe. Consider this good practice. You will need that vibe as the mom of special needs kids.