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!
This is good stuff Meegan....now you know what you are dealing with it makes it seem easier somehow. Better the devil you know and all that!
ReplyDeleteI have a million things I would like to say but all my words feel clumsy. A diagnosis is always good because then you can make a plan. In my case as long as I know the reasons WHY kids behave the way they do I am fine. Lots of crossovers with the issues that Amy and Isaac have so I understand where you are coming from my lovely.
ReplyDeleteIts been a long time coming and COUNTLESS opinions....but I felt myself nodding so much today...it was like a peice of a jigsaw finally clicking into place. I am so much more at peace with this now and I can take the necessary steps to help him. He is at a grade one level in education when he is in grade 3...how could this have happened? I am glad I have him in a school now that is caring and understanding and giving him the leg up he so desperatly needs....he is starting with a tutor too soon :D Happy Son, Happy Mum! xxx
ReplyDeleteIs he sensory seeking, or avoiding? My kids have SPD too and I have one on each end. Amy is sensory seeking and Isaac is an avoider. It's not terrible, but it helps SO much to know what is going on and how to help them.
ReplyDeleteHe is Hypersensitive (avoider)
ReplyDeleteRon I would be very interested in any info you might be able to guide me too....
ReplyDeleteMy daughter is a seeker.. I would read the books "child out of sync" you can find it on amazon.com for like 6 dollars, and there are a few more books about activities to do with your child. For my daughter, I have to make sure she gets stimulation everyday or we pay for it at bed time. She can stay up all night. Transitions are terrible, so she needs lots of reminders. I know that massage is good for sensory kids, there are body brushes and things that you can rub their skin to help them calm down but also stimulate their senses. Pressure on the gums is a good one. There are lots of things you can buy for them to chew on, or push up on their teeth when you brush their teeth, and chewing gum is a good stimulator. Occupation therapy and children psychologists can really help.
ReplyDeleteI have read "sensational kids" which has been great...We are working with the OT and he seems to be coming along nicely...we also discovered he has "wandering eyes" and now has glasses that seem to be making a huge difference too! Thanks Shannon...its a challenge for sure LOL
ReplyDeleteHello Meegan,
ReplyDeleteMy good mate Sallyanne re-posted your blog on her fb page and I must say I was absolutely gobsmacked by what I read.
My son Marcus is in year 3 and yet again, is heading down the same path he has since Kinder.....suspension!
So much of what you described about your son and SPD ring true with Marcus. He is such a sensitive, intelligent fella but finds it difficult making friends preferring to play solo and is always seeking out sensory stimuli!I am continually hovering and repeating instructions and Marcus' meltdowns at school have been interpreted as 'defiance of authority'.
His teachers agree that he is a 'lovely, sensitive boy' but they are at a loss as to how to help engage him during lessons.I wont go into the details on here but I am sure you understand where I am coming from :-)Needless to say even with an independent reading level his academic results are not looking too hot!
He has learned in some ways how to pretend in order to fit in but it only lasts a little while and then he 'cracks'. My ex husband and I have been at such a loss having seen paeds at the RHH, counsellors, a psychologist etc etc. My ex recently mentioned medication and I almost fell off my chair at the thought of it.
I would love to hear from you and find out about your journey to gaining a diagnoses for Joe. Sal has recommended that I call St.Giles and ask to see an OT at least as a starting point.
Marcus ticks so many boxes for many different disorders and this seems to be why the paed at the RHH is having difficulty diagnosing him however, I have not once heard him make mention of SPD!!
Would love to hear any feedback from you Meegan,
Take care and my regards to Joe, Carolyn Bourke :-)
Hi Carolyn!
ReplyDeleteI totally understand where your coming from...Joe had such a hard time at school but seems to be settling in better now he has a helper 3 times a week (funded)! I was very lucky to find Geoff Donegan (Paed) 41 Augusta Rd, Lenah Valley TAS 7008 ph: (03) 6228 4601 . You will need a referral from your GP...He is AMAZING! Cant talk him up more really. If you ever need someone to bang heads together with you can email me at meeg70@bigpond.net.au Goodluck! There is light at the end of the tunnel! xx
And just so you know...Joe has gone form a prep level reading last year to a grade 4 level in 12 months!! The activities and heavy work will sound weird but they work! He also has audio listening which has been great too.....He hasnt had a "meltdown" at school since Oct last year :) Big smiles from Mum!
ReplyDelete