llFour Year Old and POTENTIAL Sensory Processing Disorder

I had my son evaluated by the school district when he was 3 for SPD. They said he did not qualify for any services because his SPD was not a "disability". My husband then found a private OT clinic where we had him evaluated. He most positively has SPD, and has been going to therapy there for the past 1.5 years. He has made HUGE improvements especially with his gross and fine motor skills. He wouldn't go on the swings at the playground, and after just 2 sessions, he was asking to go on them! Unfortunately, because my son is so intelligent and verbal, his SPD continues to not be a "disability", except for the fact that it is--it's interfering with his ability to pay attention and focus in the classroom (he is in kindergarten) and is affecting his self-esteeem (he thinks he's a "bad" kid now). I urge you and your husband to have G evaluated sooner rather than later. He will learn strategies to cope with his difficulties and hopefully he won't have the self-image issues my son is dealing with right now. I am fighting to have him reevaluated by the school department and will hopefully eventually get him services in school.

At two my youngest was not talking...and had some behavioral issues.

When he went in for his 2 yr. Well Check that doctor told us he should have an evaluation done.

In 2010 he started being seen with An Occupational Therapist and a Speech Therapist.

He was sensitive to noise, busy places.....or new places he had never been to before. It is like he goes into over drive...and Flips out.

He has made some good improvements. When we go to loud places we give him magic ears....Shoot gun shooting ear muffs....Child size....We let him put cool stickers on them to make them his.

He also wears this tension suit called a Spio, whenever we go to new or crowded places. This hugs them while they wear it....It is super tight. It has saved us in bad situations that could have been extremely bad!

We also have come to terms with the fact that with the SPD he has been Diagnosed with High functioning Autism and Opposition Defiance Disorder. Both of which have taken alot of work getting used to.

This is not the end of the world. In fact you may find after kiddo starts therapy that he is 10 times better then he had been.

I remember telling our first OT teacher that I thought ALL kids should be given a few months of OT to help them ease into social situations better.

If and when things get started for your kiddo...make sure you go back and view his appts. You do not have to do it ALL the time...but every once and a while do it. You learn SO much from them on how to help at home. Ask lots of questions too....

The other things to watch out for...Kids with behavioral issues at this age normally tend to have OCD's off the charts....My guy has to have structure and order like you would not believe! I noticed the second I started playing to his, he was so much better. And his doctor says at this age you want to play towards the OCD's fighting them could freak them out more!!

Good luck! Just remember, it is not a bad thing to have a kiddo with Sensory issues:) Be happy you caught it early and can help him work through some of this!!

My son (3) was just diagnosed with this about a month ago. We've been bringing him to an occupational therapist. The kid is now night and day! It has made a huge difference for him. Loud noises don't bother him as much, his balance/coordination is getting better, and he his meltdowns are less frequent. This is after only a month! Honestly, you will get better service through private OT. The schools don't work with SPD as well and focus more on fine motor skills.

My son was evaluated for SPD and he does have it, granted my son also has autism as well. We initially went through the county but by age 3 typically going through the school system for an evaluation is the best course of action.

My son receives occupational therapy which all they do is play with various toys, manipulatives and the like. He has been in since age 2 and has made great strides in terms of his abilities to process sensory info. He is still sensitive to certain things and in our case he may always be. He loves to play on the suspended swing and be wrapped in various hammock swings. I also use deep pressure and brushing occasionally to help his body come to terms with itself. It all creates a calming effect and enable him to focus on other tasks.

Best of luck!

The boy's parents need to request a PPT (Planning and Placement Team Meeting which includes them) where they will have to make a formal written request (there is a form for this) for the school to do a triennial evaluation on him for learning delays, Sensory Integration Disorder, possibly Autism, and whatever else they think might be at play. The school CAN NOT diagnose him, but they CAN do this evaluation. It's then examined and based on the results, a suggestion is made as to what "could" be the problem and the "likelihood" of what a diagnosis might be. That will lead the school to figure out his IEP (Individual Education Plan) and what his special services, if any, should be.

Outside of school, he should still be getting evaluated independently just in case it comes up differently than the triennial testing and you get a more firm diagnosis. You sometimes get a school that's resistant saying that there's actually nothing wrong with a child and they're not entitled to services but when you get them evaluated outside and a formal diagnosis of, say, Autism or ADHD or what have you, it legally obligates the school to give the child an IEP and continue regularly scheduled PPT's. As long as whatever is going on with the child is affecting his learning, he is entitled to services.

The ins and outs of this would be discussed in the PPT meeting.

My son was the same. The preschool teachers suggested I allow a special ed person from the public school district to observe him in class and athen they went with to meet that person to figure out an action plan. My son was sensitive to wetness (touching), loud noises and bright lights. It was determined that he needed occupational therapy which the school district provided free to me for about a year. In therapy, he climbed through fabric tunnels, played in ball pits, used his hands in messy goo and did other exercises to help him overcome and work with his sensitivities. In kindergarten, it was determined he was no longer "bad enough" to need occupational therapy to conitnue. He's done much better with just the one year of OT. Be open minded and let the professionals guide you.