Hi, possible SPD
My son will be 6 in December. Currently in pre primary entering year 1 in 2016, live in Western Australia
He has many issues at school and home, such as not being able to sit still, even if his mind is occupied constantly seeking physical movement, doesn't understand that his actions have consequences when he does something to another child eg if they are in a line and the teacher says throw the ball then go to the back of the line and everyone else move up, if the child in front doesn't move up he will just shove the child as my son believes that they aren't doing the right thing and instead of speaking he will just enforce what is meant to be done.
He is also in speech therapy and has seen an occupational therapist. The OT has told me that he is an oral and physical seeker and asked to fill out a sensory processing disorder assessment form, then told me he ranks highly on the physical and oral side of sensory processing disorder, but then goes on to tell me that he won't diagnose spd as this particular ot believe everyone has spd and it's nothing to worry about.
The problem is he is getting worse, his oral and physical seeking is worsening, and also he is becoming more sensitive, as in more sensitive to bright light, and one day a big knock to the head will be fine but a tiny scratch will be the end of the world but the next day it will be the opposite. He also doesn't seem to be learning that certain behaviours are unacceptable and continues to do those things.
my son is also very much a routine kind of person and if the routine or teacher at school changes he struggles and has a bad day which could be any where from not getting tasks done to physically enforcing the rules etc
Can someone please help me with how I can go about an official diagnosis for SPD and some strategies. I'm at my wits end trying to explain to people about his behaviour when I don't really know what's wrong or have an official diagnosis and people are getting frustrated with his behaviour even when I try and explain that we are seeking help they just dont understand and think he is a naughty or feral child or evil. Which he is definately not as his bestfirend at school is autistic and he takes care of his best friend making sure he is safe and having fun
Thanks in advance from a very stressed mum who doesn't know what to do
4 Replies
Honestly it's time for an assessment by a pediatrician. SPD is not recognised as a separate diagnosis to autism /aspergers on the DSMV as proponents for SPD have not been able to prove it's a separate disorder. Meaning there are a bunch of kids out there who qualify for an autism/aspergers diagnosis but miss vital help because OTs tend to lean towards SPD.
Basically all the behaviours you described could also fit autism. So I'd be heading to my pediatrician for another opinion.
Hi thanks for that clarification that spd isn't a recognized as a seperate thing. My son is currently on a wait list for a pediatrician through the child health centre,
I'd try and go privately personally, I know it's expensive but you can sit on those lists for a very long time, in the mean time your child is missing out on help
Yeah I'm starting to look at private now, been on the wait lost for public since term 2 2014. When I asked when is it likely I'll get an appointment was told that due to my sons age he is in a lower priority as priority is given to kids 0-3, then 3-6 and so on. Annoying considering its affecting his schooling, id of thought that would be priority enough.