SPD Awareness Month

[toddlermominoma]

For most of you unless you have a child with it or another comorbid disorder, such as ASD, you will not recognize the name or what it means. 

October is not just Breast Cancer Awareness month, a thing I fully support, it is also SPD Awareness month!! To explain what it is and the "symptoms" can be complicated. To explain what it is NOT is a lot easier. So, this is how I will start this post.

The things SPD is NOT:

It is not a behavioral problem. Meaning that a child does not scream and meltdown over something to get their way.

It is not a learned behavior. Meaning that they have not learned at a ear old to starve themselves because mom and dad will give them something else to eat with or flat out eat. 

It is not lack of discipline, nor lack of consistency or even a lack of attention from the parent to the child.

It is not a "parent's excuse" for why a child behaves a certain way. (I will give you specific examples as to why this is not true as well). 

Some facts about SPD:

It affects 1 in 20....that's ONE IN TWENTY children!!! With 1 in 6 having some part of a sensory issue being bad enough to affect their daily life!

It is thought to be genetic in nature. 

It is a spectrum disorder like that of autism or tourette syndrome. 

It usually comes with comorbid conditions but, can be a stand alone diagnosis. 

It is often mistaken and misdiagnosed for ADHD. Though there are children who can have both. (My oldest son is one of them!) It can also mistaken for mild cases of autism for those who do not know of it. 

There is no medication, no cure. The only help is occupational therapy. 

What is SPD? It stands for Sensory Processing Disorder. 

What is this?? It is a neurological thing, how the brain is wired. A child or adult with this disorder has a sort of traffic jam in the part of the brain that processes sensory information. Their brain cannot figure out how to appropriately read the information given to them nor the appropriate response. For example, In a "normal" child, a balloon pop may startle him but, the brain makes pathways that allow the child to adapt to the noise. While it may startle them, with each time, they react less and less as they become accustomed to it. In an SPD child or adult, these pathways are never built. So, no matter how many times they hear a balloon pop, even knowing that it's coming, it's like it happened the first time. Only they must take the offending noise assault over and over and over again until they are overwhelmed! 

An important thing to know, is that we process more than just the 5 senses during the day! We have the sense of movement, where we are in relation to our environment, how our body moves and how it feels moving, oral feeling (not just taste), etc. 

What this means is that these children and adults are either hyper sensitive to or almost completely under reacting to the sensory information given them. For example, my oldest son, while a MAJOR sensory avoider, is constantly seeking input for his body. He literally crashes, bangs, jumps and chews or licks. While most will tell you that this is normal toddler, child or boy behavior, past a certain age and/or past a certain degree it is not! My youngest son, is the kind of sense-ational kiddo that doesn't register a thing! He is clumsy, unaware of how to move his body properly more often than not, unaware of where he is in relation to his environment and the people in it. He hurts himself or falls down (which he does A LOT) and it doesn't even phase him. He does not cry as a normal toddler would! He also shows a bit of avoidance behavior in that he hates the feel of bubbles on his hands, or the feeling of anything sticky or wet. Yet, he does not even notice that his face is covered in food! lol Yet he is, like his brother, in constant motion. His body seeking that deep tissue and joint compression. He plops down on his tush all day long, bangs his head on the walls, etc. 

There are lists out there for parents to find either in books, online or even just talking to another parent that you can find. There are no quick fixes, no miracle drugs for this. I say that as a medicating parent as well, so I am not knocking anyone who uses medication. It is DAILY intensive therapy, whether you get an hour with an OT several times a week or no, the parent is also doing OT in the home with the child.....if you have two SPD kiddos as I do....therapy never ends!!! lol It can takes months and months to see a difference or sometimes if you catch it right a matter of weeks to see a SLIGHT improvement. It's taken 3yrs for my oldest to be able to hold a pizza but, he can finally do it!! We are now working on him being able to handle the smell of microwave popcorn, and fresh peeled oranges as well as when he accidentally gets a TINY bit wet and we've been working on the wet thing for all 3 years!!! 

Now, I said before that there is evidence that it is genetic and that I could give you an example of why it is not a learned behavior, a misbehaving child or whatever else another who is ignorant might say. So, here it is:

My little sister growing up, could not stand the feel of jello in her mouth nor the feel of tight clothes on her hips.....I could not and STILL cannot handle the feel of sock seams. It is why I go barefoot, or flip flops til there is snow on the ground. I would lash out at 4yrs old and physically fight with my mother over this. (And if you knew my mother, you would never say that I was trying to test my limits. My mother was not someone to mess with, even the adults we knew, were scared of her when she was angry! lol). Shoes, had to and still have to be TIGHT. If I wear shoes, they must be so tight that they almost or on occasion do, leave bruises on the tops of my feet!  I could go on but, suffice it to say, it gets a bit silly and embarrassing. lol 

More on the point that it is genetic, not only do my little sister and I have it, my two boys have it and her oldest son has it.....I could go on but that is two siblings as well as their children.

Why can I say that it's not a learned behavior that a child has picked up to get a reward? I can use myself as an example. In my early 30s now, there is no reason for me to have to go outside when my nephew or stepson wants to pop a balloon. There is no reward system for me at this age to have a panic/rage attack if the sock seam is on my toes and I cannot get my shoe off NOW! There is not a good thing that comes out of me getting angry if the lights are flickering, like they do when you drive under trees and the sunlight flickers or the way it does in a haunted house. At this age, it is no longer viable for it to be a learned behavior, there is no reward at the end of the meltdown for me. In fact it is harder because I know logically that these behaviors are NOT acceptable and that I will have to explain them to people who most definitely aren't going to get the behavior in an adult!

 

For those that disagree, I dare you to come live at my house for a week, a day with BOTH of my boys and no OT!! After that, you'll leave here with a bit of education, a LOT of gray hair and stock in TUMS, Prilosec or whatever other antacid you prefer to take! lol 

Lest you go and think that this is all there is, I will share my boys' stories in the next couple of days. If you care to know or learn more, you can ask an SPD momma here, there are hundreds of us. You can visit the SPD Foundation or simply google SPD. There are valuable resources out there for education and help. 

Please take the time to get educated and pass it on!!! 

 I've posted one such checklist in the response section of this post. Check it out.

 

[toddlermominoma]

Oct. 20, 2010 at 2:19 PM

Signs Of Tactile Dysfunction:

 

 1. Hypersensitivity To Touch (Tactile Defensiveness)

 

__ becomes fearful, anxious or aggressive with light or unexpected touch

__ as an infant, did/does not like to be held or cuddled; may arch back, cry, and pull away

__ distressed when diaper is being, or needs to be, changed

__ appears fearful of, or avoids standing in close proximity to other people or peers (especially in lines)

__ becomes frightened when touched from behind or by someone/something they can not see (such as under a blanket)

__ complains about having hair brushed; may be very picky about using a particular brush

__ bothered by rough bed sheets (i.e., if old and "bumpy")

__ avoids group situations for fear of the unexpected touch

__ resists friendly or affectionate touch from anyone besides parents or siblings (and sometimes them too!)

__ dislikes kisses, will "wipe off" place where kissed

__ prefers hugs

__ a raindrop, water from the shower, or wind blowing on the skin may feel like torture and produce adverse and avoidance reactions

__ may overreact to minor cuts, scrapes, and or bug bites

__ avoids touching certain textures of material (blankets, rugs, stuffed animals)

__ refuses to wear new or stiff clothes, clothes with rough textures, turtlenecks, jeans, hats, or belts, etc.

__ avoids using hands for play

__ avoids/dislikes/aversive to "messy play", i.e., sand, mud, water, glue, glitter, playdoh, slime, shaving cream/funny foam etc.

__ will be distressed by dirty hands and want to wipe or wash them frequently

__ excessively ticklish

__ distressed by seams in socks and may refuse to wear them

__ distressed by clothes rubbing on skin; may want to wear shorts and short sleeves year round, toddlers may prefer to be naked and pull diapers and clothes off constantly

__ or, may want to wear long sleeve shirts and long pants year round to avoid having skin exposed

__ distressed about having face washed

__ distressed about having hair, toenails, or fingernails cut

__ resists brushing teeth and is extremely fearful of the dentist

__ is a picky eater, only eating certain tastes and textures; mixed textures tend to be avoided as well as hot or cold foods; resists trying new foods

__ may refuse to walk barefoot on grass or sand

__ may walk on toes only

2. Hyposensitivity To Touch (Under-Responsive):

 

__ may crave touch, needs to touch everything and everyone

__ is not aware of being touched/bumped unless done with extreme force or intensity

__ is not bothered by injuries, like cuts and bruises, and shows no distress with shots (may even say they love getting shots!)

__ may not be aware that hands or face are dirty or feel his/her nose running

__ may be self-abusive; pinching, biting, or banging his own head

__ mouths objects excessively

__ frequently hurts other children or pets while playing

__ repeatedly touches surfaces or objects that are soothing (i.e., blanket)

__ seeks out surfaces and textures that provide strong tactile feedback

__ thoroughly enjoys and seeks out messy play

__ craves vibrating or strong sensory input

__ has a preference and craving for excessively spicy, sweet, sour, or salty foods

 

3. Poor Tactile Perception And Discrimination:

 

__ has difficulty with fine motor tasks such as buttoning, zipping, and fastening clothes

__ may not be able to identify which part of their body was touched if they were not looking

__ may be afraid of the dark

__ may be a messy dresser; looks disheveled, does not notice pants are twisted, shirt is half un tucked, shoes are untied, one pant leg is up and one is down, etc.

__ has difficulty using scissors, crayons, or silverware

__ continues to mouth objects to explore them even after age two

__ has difficulty figuring out physical characteristics of objects; shape, size, texture, temperature, weight, etc.

__ may not be able to identify objects by feel, uses vision to help; such as, reaching into backpack or desk to retrieve an item

---

Vestibular Sense: input from the inner ear about equilibrium, gravitational changes, movement experiences, and position in space.

 

Signs Of Vestibular Dysfunction:

 

1. Hypersensitivity To Movement (Over-Responsive):

 

 
__ avoids/dislikes playground equipment; i.e., swings, ladders, slides, or merry-go-rounds

__ prefers sedentary tasks, moves slowly and cautiously, avoids taking risks, and may appear "wimpy"

__ avoids/dislikes elevators and escalators; may prefer sitting while they are on them or, actually get motion sickness from them

__ may physically cling to an adult they trust

__ may appear terrified of falling even when there is no real risk of it

__ afraid of heights, even the height of a curb or step

__ fearful of feet leaving the ground

__ fearful of going up or down stairs or walking on uneven surfaces

__ afraid of being tipped upside down, sideways or backwards; will strongly resist getting hair washed over the sink

__ startles if someone else moves them; i.e., pushing his/her chair closer to the table

__ as an infant, may never have liked baby swings or jumpers

__ may be fearful of, and have difficulty riding a bike, jumping, hopping, or balancing on one foot (especially if eyes are closed)

__ may have disliked being placed on stomach as an infant

__ loses balance easily and may appear clumsy

__ fearful of activities which require good balance

__ avoids rapid or rotating movements

 

2. Hyposensitivity To Movement (Under-Responsive):

 

__ in constant motion, can't seem to sit still

__ craves fast, spinning, and/or intense movement experiences

__ loves being tossed in the air

__ could spin for hours and never appear to be dizzy

__ loves the fast, intense, and/or scary rides at amusement parks

__ always jumping on furniture, trampolines, spinning in a swivel chair, or getting into upside down positions

__ loves to swing as high as possible and for long periods of time

__ is a "thrill-seeker"; dangerous at times

__ always running, jumping, hopping etc. instead of walking

__ rocks body, shakes leg, or head while sitting 

__ likes sudden or quick movements, such as, going over a big bump in the car or on a bike

 

3. Poor Muscle Tone And/Or Coordination:

 

__ has a limp, "floppy" body

__ frequently slumps, lies down, and/or leans head on hand or arm while working at his/her desk

__ difficulty simultaneously lifting head, arms, and legs off the floor while lying on stomach ("superman" position)

__ often sits in a "W sit" position on the floor to stabilize body

__ fatigues easily!

__ compensates for "looseness" by grasping objects tightly

__ difficulty turning doorknobs, handles, opening and closing items

__ difficulty catching him/her self if falling

__ difficulty getting dressed and doing fasteners, zippers, and buttons

__ may have never crawled as an baby

__ has poor body awareness; bumps into things, knocks things over, trips, and/or appears clumsy

__ poor gross motor skills; jumping, catching a ball, jumping jacks, climbing a ladder etc.

__ poor fine motor skills; difficulty using "tools", such as pencils, silverware, combs, scissors etc.

__ may appear ambidextrous, frequently switching hands for coloring, cutting, writing etc.; does not have an established hand preference/dominance by 4 or 5 years old

__ has difficulty licking an ice cream cone

__ seems to be unsure about how to move body during movement, for example, stepping over something

__ difficulty learning exercise or dance steps

---

Proprioceptive Sense: input from the muscles and joints about body position, weight, pressure, stretch, movement, and changes in position in space.

 

Signs Of Proprioceptive Dysfunction:

 

1. Sensory Seeking Behaviors:

 

__ seeks out jumping, bumping, and crashing activities

__ stomps feet when walking

__ kicks his/her feet on floor or chair while sitting at desk/table

__ bites or sucks on fingers and/or frequently cracks his/her knuckles

__ loves to be tightly wrapped in many or weighted blankets, especially at bedtime

__ prefers clothes (and belts, hoods, shoelaces) to be as tight as possible

__ loves/seeks out "squishing" activities

__ enjoys bear hugs

__ excessive banging on/with toys and objects

__ loves "roughhousing" and tackling/wrestling games

__ frequently falls on floor intentionally

__ would jump on a trampoline for hours on end

__ grinds his/her teeth throughout the day

__ loves pushing/pulling/dragging objects

__ loves jumping off furniture or from high places

__ frequently hits, bumps or pushes other children

__ chews on pens, straws, shirt sleeves etc.

 

2. Difficulty With "Grading Of Movement":

 

 
__ misjudges how much to flex and extend muscles during tasks/activities (i.e., putting arms into sleeves or climbing)

__ difficulty regulating pressure when writing/drawing; may be too light to see or so hard the tip of writing utensil breaks

__ written work is messy and he/she often rips the paper when erasing

__ always seems to be breaking objects and toys

__ misjudges the weight of an object, such as a glass of juice, picking it up with too much force sending it flying or spilling, or with too little force and complaining about objects being too heavy

__ may not understand the idea of "heavy" or "light"; would not be able to hold two objects and tell you which weighs more

__ seems to do everything with too much force; i.e., walking, slamming doors, pressing things too hard, slamming objects down

__ plays with animals with too much force, often hurting them

---

Signs Of Auditory Dysfunction: (no diagnosed hearing problem)

 

1. Hypersensitivity To Sounds (Auditory Defensiveness):

 

__ distracted by sounds not normally noticed by others; i.e., humming of lights or refrigerators, fans, heaters, or clocks ticking

__ fearful of the sound of a flushing toilet (especially in public bathrooms), vacuum, hairdryer, squeaky shoes, or a dog barking

__ started with or distracted by loud or unexpected sounds

__ bothered/distracted by background environmental sounds; i.e., lawn mowing or outside construction

__ frequently asks people to be quiet; i.e., stop making noise, talking, or singing

__ runs away, cries, and/or covers ears with loud or unexpected sounds

__ may refuse to go to movie theaters, parades, skating rinks, musical concerts etc.

__ may decide whether they like certain people by the sound of their voice

 

2. Hyposensitivity To Sounds (Under-Registers):

 

__ often does not respond to verbal cues or to name being called

__ appears to "make noise for noise's sake"

__ loves excessively loud music or TV

__ seems to have difficulty understanding or remembering what was said

__ appears oblivious to certain sounds

__ appears confused about where a sound is coming from

__ talks self through a task, often out loud

__ had little or no vocalizing or babbling as an infant

__ needs directions repeated often, or will say, "What?" frequently

---

Signs Of Oral Input Dysfunction:

 

1. Hypersensitivity To Oral Input (Oral Defensiveness):

 

__ picky eater, often with extreme food preferences; i.e., limited repertoire of foods, picky about brands, resistive to trying new foods or restaurants, and may not eat at other people's houses)

__ may only eat "soft" or pureed foods past 24 months of age

__ may gag with textured foods

__ has difficulty with sucking, chewing, and swallowing; may choke or have a fear of choking

__ resists/refuses/extremely fearful of going to the dentist or having dental work done

__ may only eat hot or cold foods

__ refuses to lick envelopes, stamps, or stickers because of their taste

__ dislikes or complains about toothpaste and mouthwash

__ avoids seasoned, spicy, sweet, sour or salty foods; prefers bland foods

 

2. Hyposensitivity To Oral Input (Under-Registers)

 

__ may lick, taste, or chew on inedible objects

__ prefers foods with intense flavor; i.e., excessively spicy, sweet, sour, or salty

__ excessive drooling past the teething stage

__ frequently chews on hair, shirt, or fingers

__ constantly putting objects in mouth past the toddler years

__ acts as if all foods taste the same

__ can never get enough condiments or seasonings on his/her food

__ loves vibrating toothbrushes and even trips to the dentist

---

Signs Of Olfactory Dysfunction (Smells):

 

1. Hypersensitivity To Smells (Over-Responsive):

 

__ reacts negatively to, or dislikes smells which do not usually bother, or get noticed, by other people

__ tells other people (or talks about) how bad or funny they smell

__ refuses to eat certain foods because of their smell

__ offended and/or nauseated by bathroom odors or personal hygiene smells

__ bothered/irritated by smell of perfume or cologne

__ bothered by household or cooking smells

__ may refuse to play at someone's house because of the way it smells

__ decides whether he/she likes someone or some place by the way it smells

 

2. Hyposensitivity To Smells (Under-Responsive):

 

__ has difficulty discriminating unpleasant odors

__ may drink or eat things that are poisonous because they do not notice the noxious smell

__ unable to identify smells from scratch 'n sniff stickers

__ does not notice odors that others usually complain about

__ fails to notice or ignores unpleasant odors

__ makes excessive use of smelling when introduced to objects, people, or places

__ uses smell to interact with objects

---

Signs Of Visual Input Dysfunction (No Diagnosed Visual Deficit):

 

1. Hypersensitivity To Visual Input (Over-Responsiveness)

 

__ sensitive to bright lights; will squint, cover eyes, cry and/or get headaches from the light

__ has difficulty keeping eyes focused on task/activity he/she is working on for an appropriate amount of time

__ easily distracted by other visual stimuli in the room; i.e., movement, decorations, toys, windows, doorways etc.

__ has difficulty in bright colorful rooms or a dimly lit room

__ rubs his/her eyes, has watery eyes or gets headaches after reading or watching TV

__ avoids eye contact

__ enjoys playing in the dark

 

2. Hyposensitivity To Visual Input (Under-Responsive Or Difficulty With Tracking, Discrimination, Or Perception):

 

__ has difficulty telling the difference between similar printed letters or figures; i.e., p & q, b & d, + and x, or square and rectangle

__ has a hard time seeing the "big picture"; i.e., focuses on the details or patterns within the picture

__ has difficulty locating items among other items; i.e., papers on a desk, clothes in a drawer, items on a grocery shelf, or toys in a bin/toy box

__ often loses place when copying from a book or the chalkboard

__ difficulty controlling eye movement to track and follow moving objects

__ has difficulty telling the difference between different colors, shapes, and sizes

__ often loses his/her place while reading or doing math problems

__ makes reversals in words or letters when copying, or reads words backwards; i.e., "was" for "saw" and "no" for "on" after first grade

__ complains about "seeing double"

__ difficulty finding differences in pictures, words, symbols, or objects

__ difficulty with consistent spacing and size of letters during writing and/or lining up numbers in math problems

__ difficulty with jigsaw puzzles, copying shapes, and/or cutting/tracing along a line

__ tends to write at a slant (up or down hill) on a page

__ confuses left and right

__ fatigues easily with schoolwork

__ difficulty judging spatial relationships in the environment; i.e., bumps into objects/people or missteps on curbs and stairs

---

Auditory-Language Processing Dysfunction:

 

__ unable to locate the source of a sound

__ difficulty identifying people's voices

__ difficulty discriminating between sounds/words; i.e., "dare" and "dear"

__ difficulty filtering out other sounds while trying to pay attention to one person talking

__ bothered by loud, sudden, metallic, or high-pitched sounds

__ difficulty attending to, understanding, and remembering what is said or read; often asks for directions to be repeated and may only be able to understand or follow two sequential directions at a time

__ looks at others to/for reassurance before answering

__ difficulty putting ideas into words (written or verbal)

__ often talks out of turn or "off topic"

__ if not understood, has difficulty re-phrasing; may get frustrated, angry, and give up

__ difficulty reading, especially out loud (may also be dyslexic)

__ difficulty articulating and speaking clearly

__ ability to speak often improves after intense movement

---

Social, Emotional, Play, And Self-Regulation Dysfunction:

 

Social:

 

__ difficulty getting along with peers

__ prefers playing by self with objects or toys rather than with people

__ does not interact reciprocally with peers or adults; hard to have a "meaningful" two-way conversation

__ self-abusive or abusive to others

__ others have a hard time interpreting child's cues, needs, or emotions

__ does not seek out connections with familiar people

 

Emotional:

 

__ difficulty accepting changes in routine (to the point of tantrums)

__ gets easily frustrated

__ often impulsive

__ functions best in small group or individually

__ variable and quickly changing moods; prone to outbursts and tantrums

__ prefers to play on the outside, away from groups, or just be an observer

__ avoids eye contact

__ difficulty appropriately making needs known

 

Play:

 

__ difficulty with imitative play (over 10 months)

__ wanders aimlessly without purposeful play or exploration (over 15 months)

__ needs adult guidance to play, difficulty playing independently (over 18 months)

__ participates in repetitive play for hours; i.e., lining up toys cars, blocks, watching one movie over and over etc.

 

Self-Regulation:

 

__ excessive irritability, fussiness or colic as an infant

__ can't calm or soothe self through pacifier, comfort object, or caregiver

__ can't go from sleeping to awake without distress

__ requires excessive help from caregiver to fall asleep; i.e., rubbing back or head, rocking, long walks, or car rides

 

Internal  Regulation (The Interoceptive Sense):

 

__ becoming too hot or too cold sooner than others in the same environments; may not appear to ever get cold/hot, may not be able to maintain body temperature effectively

__ difficulty in extreme temperatures or going from one extreme to another (i.e., winter, summer, going from air conditioning to outside heat, a heated house to the cold outside)

__ respiration that is too fast, too slow, or cannot switch from one to the other easily as the body demands an appropriate respiratory response

__ heart rate that speeds up or slows down too fast or too slow based on the demands imposed on it

__ respiration and heart rate that takes longer than what is expected to slow down during or after exertion or fear

__ severe/several mood swings throughout the day (angry to happy in short periods of time, perhaps without visible cause)

__ unpredictable state of arousal or inability to control arousal level (hyper to lethargic, quickly, vacillating between the two; over stimulated to under stimulated, within hours or days, depending on activity and setting, etc.)

__ frequent constipation or diarrhea, or mixed during the same day or over a few days

__ difficulty with potty training; does not seem to know when he/she has to go (i.e., cannot feel the necessary sensation that bowel or bladder are full

__ unable to regulate thirst; always thirsty, never thirsty, or oscillates back and forth

__ unable to regulate hunger; eats all the time, won't eat at all, unable to feel full/hungry

__ unable to regulate appetite; has little to no appetite and/or will be "starving" one minute then full two bites later, then back to hungry again (prone to eating disorders and/or failure to thrive)

(Original Poster)

[ruthie11617]

Oct. 20, 2010 at 4:56 PM