What is Sensory Integration Disorder
Sensory Integration Disorder is a neurological disorder causing difficulties with processing information from the five classic senses (vision, auditory, touch, olfaction, and taste...
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Who should I tell about my child's SPD?
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My 4-year-old was diagnosed about 5 months ago. I'm still not sure who needs to know about his disorder and who doesn't. He is in preschool right now and will be next year too. I'm hoping that after he has had 2 years of OT, he will no longer need therapy or any special treatment from teachers. Ideally, I would like for him to start Kindergarten without anyone expecting to have problems from him (and without them knowing that he ever had problems). Are any of your kids still in therapy after 2 years? If so, is SPD their only diagnosis? I'm just concerned that if his teacher is expecting to have problems from him that it will become a self-fulfilled prophecy. Has this happpened to any of you? My son tends to get aggresive when he is overwhelmed by sensory problems. I hope he is able to get away from that reputation once he is no longer doing it. Any advice?
Posted on 09/28/09, 12:09 am |
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To be honest since SPD is a life long neurological condition I think you should tell his pre-school and Kgd teacher, not so much so that they expect behavioral problems, but so that they can look out for his cues of being over stimulated.
In addition, whether he receives special help or not depends on what school district you live in. With some kids w/ SPD some have to be on an IEP (individualized Educational Plan) for a while due to some sensory overload issues. As some school districts like a few out here consider SPD under Special Needs. Not to mention that as a child progresses in school certain SPD symptoms can come out in different areas aside from just behavior for example, areas such as reading, writing, using scissors, hearing sensitivites and speech can be affected especially when it comes to copying from the board and writing letters due to visual spatial skills. In addition, spatial awareness can be a continuous problem for some SPD kids (including myself) as they get older (being too close in their peers personal space, licking or touching people or objects inappropriately) or wanting to play sports(having trouble holding on to the ball or tripping over their own feet or other teammates) or if they want to learn to drive a car (switching lanes and driving on the highway can be difficult because of movement and spatial awareness) Also as for him not needing OT after 2 yrs. I think that because he's still so young that's hard to gauge since he as he gets older his academic needs and demands will change, especially when he gets to college. He could also have to return to OT if other SPD symptoms arise as he progresses in school or as an adult where is daily life or job is being affected. I also know of some SPD kids that also have to do PT (physical therapy) as they got older (including myself) to deal w/ spatial awareness problems since their schooling and social life changed as they got to jr. high and high school such as playing sports or joining the band. Lastly, yes SPD is my only diagnosis and even as an adult its still a constant struggle, especially since responsibilities change as you become an adult like keeping up at work or keeping up w/ assignments in college. However, having both OT and PT for an extended length of time makes coping w/ SPD a bit easier. Good Luck :D 
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Thanks for your advice. I appreciate it!
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You're welcome. I'm glad I could help :D
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Hi SPDM-
My son sounds similar to yours. He just turned 4 and we just got a diagnosis about a month ago. I have the same hopes as you--we have another year and a half until kindergarten, and are still in search of the right preschool. I am taking him out of the school he is in now, because although his teacher is educated about sensory issues, sort of, he is under a microscope there and everything he does is analyzed. He has had similar issues as it sounds like your son has had, getting aggressive when he is overwhelmed, and as you can imagine, this has caused a lot of problems (the latest is biting, not just the kids but the teacher, and occasionally even us when he is overwhelmed). I am sure this will happen again at his new preschool, but I too am not sure how much to share with his new teacher. I want them informed so they can understand and help him when he needs it, but i don't want the self-fufilling prophecy either. It's really hard. He is a great kid, and this is such a tough age for this issue. When he was 3, no one cared--now that he's 4, it is a huge deal. I just want to give it some time--let him have his OT, work with him at home, and see how it goes. I know he needs the socialization practice or I would just keep him home! Anyway, sorry to make this about me, but I share many of your hopes and concerns. I think we just have to take it one day at a time, and figure out what they need as we go. His current teacher suggested an early intervention preschool, which we might end up looking into for next year if we can't find something else that works better than what we are doing now. Feel free to send me a message anytime if you need to talk. This is tough!
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