Today, my son Joseph was finally given a name to his "meltdown" problem.
He has SPD - Sensory Processing Disorder.
"People with SPD experience their world as either Hypersensitive (over reactive, sensory avoidance) or Hyposensitive (under reactive, sensory seeker). They may also present with motor skill problems. They may react with strong emotional behaviours and experience what may be described as ‘melt downs’."
Poor old Joe was labelled with having "anger" issues at his last school, I have had him to pyschologists, doctors, counsellours, anyone who would listen and finally today a wonderful paediatrician told my son that he doesnt have anger issues, he has SPD.
Next week we are beginning Occupational Therepy to help Joe cope in his world. I have a heap of reading to do tonight and have just ordered the book called "Sensational Kids" by Dr Lucy Miller.
Sensory Integration (S.I.) is the term used to describe the way in which the brain sorts out and organizes for our use the many sensations which we receive.
Dr Jean Ayres defined sensory integration as, ‘the neurological process that organizes sensations from one’s own body and from the environment and makes it possible to use the body effectively within the environment” (Ayres, p11, 1989).
Sensory Integration is the body’s ability to:
1 Receive or take in sensory stimuli
2 Interpret the stimuli
3 Process the stimuli into a response; and
4 Adaptively respond to the stimuli
The sensory system takes information from the surrounding environment through touch, smell, sound, vision, taste, movement and gravity. It processes or interprets these sensations together to make sense of the environment. The process of sensory integration lays the foundation for efficient operation of the nervous system and other parts of the body that respond to the signals sent by the nervous system. The child then responds to these sensory inputs and makes appropriate responses to perform skills required.
These difficulties put children with SPD at high risk for many emotional, social, and educational problems, including the inability to make friends or be a part of a group, poor self-concept, academic failure, and being labeled clumsy, uncooperative, belligerent, disruptive, or “out of control.” Anxiety, depression, aggression, or other behavior problems can follow. Parents may be blamed for their children’s behavior by people who are unaware of the child’s “hidden handicap.
So, to all the staff at Joes last school......NO he HASNT had his medication....Because HE ISNT ON ANY! He has SPD! Dont you love it when our educators think they have a degree in Medicine too!!
Hopefully now Joe's life will settle into a more calm and easy routine....our marvellous doctor will even be writting to Joes new school to explain his SPD.
Me, Im just happy to know he will be ok!
