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A group of researchers, families, and occupational therapists is aggressively lobbying to get sensory processing disorder included in the next Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, which is currently being drafted. But what is a Sensory Processing Disorder? Read More
What is SPD & How it is related to autism
I want to thank you for providing the most concise and thorough definition of Sensory Processing Disorder! I have been trying to find the perfect paragraph/sentence/post WHATEVER to explain what my son has been diagnosed with to a select few friends and family who continuously blame my son's behaviors on "bad parenting", or him just "being a boy". I found his diagnosis to give me a sigh of relief as opposed to breaking my heart. I would like that they take your definition, understand it, decide :"lets embrace it", and support me in doing whatever is best for him.
Your definition, clearly makes SPD just "is what it is". We all have sensory issues - just to a varying degree. This disorder just emphasizes the part of the spectrum where it can be debilitating or are not "typical". I am in agreement that this should be in the DSM-V (is that correct) so that professionals can find methods of treatment, coping therapies, and build a community of better understanding. Thank you for the post - I am now a fan!
What is SPD & How it is related to autism
Thank you for your kind words - I am grateful that what I wrote is helpful to you. You are right in saying we all have sensory issues - and that it is about the degree, and whether or not the sensory issues have an effect on everyday living and learning for the person. Hopefully, SPD will become something that is considered when a child is having problems at school with learning or paying attention or staying seated; there is so much that can help a child in this area.
Best wishes in regards to your son!
Chantal
Thanks so much as always
Thanks so much as always Chantal - I often refer people to Lucy Jane Miller PhD's book Sensational Kids as another resource. Remember, the public commenting on the upcoming DSM-V is still in process and the addition of SPDs is in flux, so if you think it is important you can make your voice heard. Go to http://www.spdfoundation.net/dsmv.html to learn more!
J Feder
SPD
My 22 year old daughter has finally found a doctor who identified SPD as her issue. Through high school, we searched and got "General Anxiety Disorder" - since the overstimulation of her nervous system by certain noises and visual stimuli can send her into a full blown anxiety attack. She is close to graduating from college right now, but the disorder gets worse every year. This last year of college has been excruciating. She can't sit in a classroom if someone is sniffing, breathing heavly, or chewing gum (or a snack). She did not want anyone to know of her affliction. Now we face the prospect of limited employment opportunities because she will need accomodations - that would force a very extroverted, intelligent young woman to seek out an isolated, sound free environment. I am certain she had this disorder as a child but we were dismissive of it because we didn't understand. She is extremely bright, with a nearly photgraphic memory. She is personable but has lost many friends because they didn't understand why she would ask them to please stop clearing their throat, or please blow their nose. Adult SPD needs as much research and attention as SPD in young children. We feel that there is no answers for her, and diminishing hope for a near normal adult life.
Adult with SPD
Hello,
I'm sorry to hear your daughter has such a difficult time. Of course it would have been better to have known about this sooner, but there are till treatments and therapies to help. There's Auditory Integration Training and other types of listening programs. There are adults who have been helped by different things (some even diet or supplements due to allergies etc) depending on why the person has the SPD, if that is what she has. Google and read about Donna Williams, she has a blog and has books published. For AIT , you can look at http://www.aitforyou.com/ and ask Terri Silverman about it. Remember I don't know your daughter so this is not medical advice, but suggestion for you to have more information. Best wishes.
Adult with SPD
Hello,
I'm sorry to hear your daughter has such a difficult time. Of course it would have been better to have known about this sooner, but there are till treatments and therapies to help. There's Auditory Integration Training and other types of listening programs. There are adults who have been helped by different things (some even diet or supplements due to allergies etc) depending on why the person has the SPD, if that is what she has. Google and read about Donna Williams, she has a blog and has books published. For AIT , you can look at http://www.aitforyou.com/ and ask Terri Silverman about it. Remember I don't know your daughter so this is not medical advice, but suggestion for you to have more information. Best wishes.
Sensory Processing Disorder
I have a son with SPD, and he is such a bright boy-- I have to echo the comment from katsnacradle -- It is nice to read a clear defination of what kids with SPD expirence...
another great book about this is by Chynna Laird, Not Just Spirited
I do believe I will link to this article !
sensory processing disorder
Our son, Matthew, has pronounced sensory processing challenges (Aspergers diagnosis) and desperately wants to drive. I never gave much thought before to how much sensory processing affects driving. he has been practicing for two years now(he is 19).
Does anyone know if anyone with SPD has accomplished the goal of learning to be a safe driver? Any tips or advice? Thanks!
I did it. It took me like 5
I did it. It took me like 5 years though. And given the variation in the disorder your son might actually be completely different. Anyways, these were a few things that helped.
One, when you learn to drive the manual and teachers will list all the things you have to try to pay attention to. But since I run into problems overprocessing, telling me to pay even more attention is actually counter-productive. What I needed was a list of things I could safely *ignore*. This is kind of counter-intuitive.
Two, I needed to recognize that my coping skills to reduce sensory overload were okay. I remember really struggling with trying to look at the rear view and side view mirrors all the time. The fact was that trying to do so was also counter productive because I was too overstimulated to actually make sense of what I was seeing. Basically I needed to get comfortable just with the sensation of driving, and *then* start trying to process more information.
Third, do not underestimate the difference between driving on a familiar road and an unfamiliar one! Vastly different experience, it's possible to be fine on a known road but be hopeless on an unknown one. When practicing stick to what is familiar, but be sure to practice the unfamiliar too.
Fourth, parking lots are hell. Even if you are going slower and so risk less damage, there's so much more to pay attention to and people behave more randomly. This part is extra hard
Fifth, I failed the exam twice and barely passed the third time. Don't get discouraged!
Thank you so much for your
Thank you so much for your comments and advice. I will show this to my son. It gives me hope that, given enough practice, he too can accomplish this goal of his. Congratulations on your success!
Driving and SPD
While writing my third book, Autism Life Skills, I interviewed adults on the spectrum about what was important to them growing up to get them were they are today, or what would have helped. SPD was a big topic. One of the adults Brian King , a clinical social worker who was diagnosed as an adult, talked about how difficult it is for him because the part of the brain that determines where his body is in space (propioceptive)does not communicate with his vision. This means that when he walks he looks at the ground or he would lose his balance, and when he drives he faces similar challenges, so he looks at the road or the back of the car in front of him.
Driving
That particular challenge has been on my mind lately, a lot. It's one of the aspects of my sensory issues that feels the most restrictive. Because of the issues Brian describes,I still really struggle with freeway driving. The high speeds make it difficult to correct for the combination of proprioceptive and spatial issues that made learning to drive a challenge.
Thanks for mentioning that! I've rarely seen that particular aspect called out.
My son James who is now 30
My son James who is now 30 has a diagnosis of Autism, though after reading this I would love a proper assessment.
He passed his driving test and now drives himself to work and other places.
He still has problems socially and would dearly love a friend.
I found a great driving instructor for him and it took two years and three attempt at the test. It was as good as winning the lottery, no better for us when he passed.
Don't give up hope
Anne
My son James who is now 30
My son James who is now 30 has a diagnosis of Autism, though after reading this I would love a proper assessment.
He passed his driving test and now drives himself to work and other places.
He still has problems socially and would dearly love a friend.
I found a great driving instructor for him and it took two years and three attempt at the test. It was as good as winning the lottery, no better for us when he passed.
Don't give up hope
Anne
Our daughter has fragile x
Our daughter has fragile x syndrome (www.fragilex.org) and has learned how to drive (took 2 years) despite her anxiety, etc.
Autism
No one with a clinical diagnosis of autism or Asperger's should be allowed to be a psychotherapist or a psychiatrist. Patients and co-workers should not be expected to compensate for the significant deficits in understanding and communicating human emotion.
SPD
Thanks for sharing this information. We have a diagnosis of SPD for my son although he likely also has a genetic disorder for which we have no diagnosis... Trying to chronicle some of our experiences here: http://parentingsensesdisabilities.blogspot.com/
spd
i found your description of spd fantastic as my son is 2 years old and has just had the diagnosis of spd aand i have been finding it very difficult to explain to people exactly what spd is as ive found people look at me as though im making excuses as they think my son is maybe just misbehaving but in actual fact there is a reason why he reacts in such negative ways to things that we would consider normal everyday sensations, but i can now relay what spd is in such a straightforward paragraph. thankyou
SPD
Glad it helped you!
best wishes to you and your family.
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