That is the only way our son got his IEP was via Other Health Impairment--this is only due to the fact that his conditions are not acknowledged at the state level for services. However, since he has had pull outs since K and he's now in 2 they can clearly see that he needs those services continued along with many more. What kills me is they swear they don't go by labels but yet in order for my son to get services they insisted on a label. It went from ADHD to OHI, which works for me as long as he's getting what he needs at school. The only therapy he does not get in school/outside school is sensory. So we do what we can to help him with it. There is so much about it that we just don't understand, even though I have read several books on it. I guess I just have a hard time wrapping my brain around it. I see what he goes through and I feel the pain it inflicts on us a family, but I just can't comprehend the logic behind why it happens. I am appalled that there is such limited research on the condition(s). Hopefully someday they will discover more about it--but until then we just do our best to work with what we are dealt with on a daily basis.

Sowie, do you get professional OT services for your son by a pediatric OT? That has made such a difference for my son! It has all been in private OT, not provided by the school, but it is definitely worth the time and the investment.

Also check out the STAR research center in Denver, CO. Dr. Lucy Jane Miller is advancing the scientific research of SPD. i have heard of families who have brought their child there for treatment get some tremendous results.

It is definitely something to research and study. I work as a Therapeutic Intervention Specialist and I am advocating for our sensory kiddos daily. Good luck in getting what your child needs. NEGU! (Never ever give up!)

No we are unable to get OT outside of school, and Denver is too far for us to travel. We are in NY and we can't get that much time off from out jobs. We just learned our son has 4 different disorders with his eyes that can be causing most of his problems. So we are going to see how his new glasses change things and then move forward from there. Every time we turn around we find a new DX that alters our journey. This time I hope it's for the best. He still has sensory issues but his are more geared towards motor ones. We are fortunate to not have the clothing issues like many here. He just likes to chew on all his clothes. To me that's not a big deal, since he likes to wear fleece it seems to hold up better then some of his other cotton fabrics that he likes. I have heard great things about the STAR centers as well, unfortunately it's just too far away for us. I am sure if they tried to open one in NY it would get shot down just the brain centers and the one Ideal place for OT services--This state is a joke when it comes to allowing such places to open there doors for kids and people that live here.

It is more important to narrow it down or request a secondary diagnosis. There are so many tests that are available that are not offered. I was a huge advocate for my son but learned everything the slow painful way. There is a medical diagnosis and the learning disability diagnosis and many times the tests are limited or not properly conducted. It takes a parent to question the findings of assessments and dispute in writing why some determinations should be re-evaluated with your explanation of why. This becomes a permanent record to that assessment. When further assessments are conducted your son is not just the product of a misinformed evaluator. Since your child is a file passing through the education system, give him/her a voice in that file. My son was diagnosed with sensory integration dysfunction at 4, but a mood disorder on an IEP, years of behavior modification were fruitless. He later was diagnosed with aspergers, but eventually we narrowed it down to Pervasive Development Disorder. PDD was the horse before the cart, and not the other way around. If ever anyone needs information on how to advocate for your child and you feel helpless against the "professionals", I am a wealth of knowledge and would be happy to educate you how to best advocate, because you are the true professional as you know your child better than anyone. But I am limited to the autistic spectrum, but passionate about advocating for those who cannot.

I just wanted to add my two cents about the STAR center. While the staff there was very nice and we had great hope for our then 10 year old son we went through the intensive program during the summer and while we saw some improvement it was definitely not worth the time and cost. Don't feel like you're missing out if you can't spend the time and money to have your child treated there.

Thank you for posting this! My 13 year old was diagnosed with SPD this week. In her therapists office I realized I have been struggling with a different set of issues but I also have SPD! The therapist suggested a couple of things we can ask for at school and I did that. The school said they already use those accommodations for other students! We are working on a 504 plan and will be able to add accommodations as we find them necessary and helpful! I fully anticipated a fight at the school, but found all we needed to do was ask! My daughter was a straight A student through the beginning of middle school but is now struggling in almost every class. She can't finish tests because of the chaos in the classroom. She is in advanced classes, which we're finding is a double edged sword. The kids are very bright and not as challenged so there's lots of commotion when a couple of them finish a test early.
Next thing we tackle is her eating, or not eating. Textures are her big problem spot but I will guess there's more to this than what's on the surface. I know this is a process, and while I am sure it's not an easy thing to live with, It's so good to have a name for it so we can get a plan together and give her tools! And to find others in my boat...what a blessing indeed!

This is all very informative. I swear my son has Sensory Integration Disorder but it hasnt gotten offically diagnosed. He has only recently been diagnosed with ADHD (two weeks ago). But I am telling you he has SID and so do I. Kinda feel awful for not seeing it before since I have it too and went all my life without getting diagnosed, but now seeing my son struggle, I want to help him. I think he has an IEP in place because he sees a school counselor weekly, a speech pathologist weekly at school too for pragmatic language and social situations and is going to start OT soon in school too (he just had an OT in school evaluation done this past friday) So I'm pretty sure his school is aware of his issues. My issue with the school is, they want an autism diagnosis (they are not medical staff) but I told them he will get evaluated, it will just take several months on the waiting list (they are sitting at the edge of their seats just waiting) Again my son was just diagnosed with adhd and I believe strongly he has sensory issues like me, I dont see autism, but thats the schools opinion, I guess they want more labels because they need to request more help (they are understaffed by a huge margin). Waiting for full evaluation spot to open up, but meanwhile thinking of calling on a Neurologist or Psychiatrist myself to get a private in office evaluation even if I do have to pay for it out of my pocket, my son is far more important than my pocketbook.

Hi and forgive my lack of understanding please. My daughter's middle school counselor said she's going to need a 504 plan in place by High School or she's not going to be allowed any accomodationsfor her SPD.
Do you know what's the difference between 504 and an IEP? Is one better for just "minor" accomodations? And who would I contact to get the wheels in motion for either one? The school, the Therapist?
This is new and very overwhelming. My daughter is almost 13 and has tactile and auditory issues we're trying to accomodate. Any ideas and feedback is welcomed.
Thank you!
Rachel

My senior year of high school was very difficult, to say the least. I don't think I had "developed" sensory processing disorder yet. Yes, I "developed" it. I didn't have it my entire life, but all of a sudden, I "developed" it. My doctors can't explain it. Anyway, I had complex partial seizures, depression, anxiety, etc, and I had a meeting with the special education teacher and nurse. I got every accommodation that was available to me. One of my favorite accommodations was that I got to take my tests in a quiet room away from other students and distractions. Despite senior year being a "difficult" year, I still managed to keep up my A's and graduate magna cum laude. It was great. I think I will apply for accommodations again in the fall semester of college, so I'll be able to take tests in quiet rooms again and hopefully, it'll help me to keep up my 4.0 college GPA. It is very helpful for sensory processing disorder students to not hear every click, pen drop on the floor, students chewing gum, etc.