Sensory Processing Disorder - Chicago,IL

Hi Michelle,

It is a scary thing, but education (and support) are key. I have 2 children, both with SPD to varying degrees; my son was diagnosed at about 14 months, and my daughter at just about 4 1/2 yo. They are very different in their symptoms and the ways they found to cope with it, which is why it took so long for us to realize my daughter had sensory issues (She's 19 mos older than my son....)

Besides the Out of Sync books, I would also recommend "Sensational Kids" by Lucy Jane Miller, The Sensory-Sensitive Child by Smith & Gouze, and Raising a Sensory Smart Child by Biel and Peske. The following are some online resources and support groups:

http://www.kidfoundation.org/spdchecklist/
http://www.kidfoundation.org/
http://www.sensory-processing-disorder.com/index.html
http://www.sensorysensitivechild.com/index2.html
http://www.out-of-sync-child.com/
http://www.childrensdisabilities.info/sensory_integration...

The local group is: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SPDIllinoisSHARE/

The other group is: http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/sensoryintegrationgr...

I've been through EI, private therapists, and the public school special ed system (not to mention several years of stress and exhaustion....) I know other parents of sensory kids have found that OT has helped immensely, as it did with my son,and he now seems mostly like a normal kid. (He's in kindergarten now) I am more than happy to answer any questions you have, and share experiences...it's a hard road, and an "invisible" disability, which can be both a blessing and a curse. Feel free to contact me if I can help in any way.

M.

My son was also just diagnosed with SPD. I started looking around for other programs to help, he is currently with EI for speech,OT, and nutrition. The web site autisim speeks has many places that specialize with SPD. these places have workshops, classes and free play groups that work in conjuncation with the therapy. The also accept EI payments. Hope this helps. If you need to talk or just vent please feel free to email me. ____@____.com Good luck I understand how hard it is.

My son has sensory issues, which he was diagnosed with at age 5 (but in retrospect, was obvious long before that!) Later we found out he has ADHD. The sensory issues are something we have to keep in mind, but 18 months of OT was very, very helpful.

I think the books and other resources you've been recommended are good. On the other hand, kids with this disorder seem to have very unique profiles! I don't know if there is predictability. It definitely gets better with age and with OT.

If you are close to Oak Park, I believe my son's former OT is starting a monthly meeting for parents. If you are interested, email me and I can look up the information.

My son was diagnosed with SPD right before his 4th birthday, but we knew he had sensory issues from birth. It sounds like you are doing all the right things to get him all the help he needs. You're probably already reading "The Out of Sync Child" since it's pretty much the go-to book about the disorder, but if you haven't checked it out yet, that would be my first word of advice. I don't know of any particular groups as we don't belong to one, but if your child is a sensory seeker, there are a lot of great places that will help him get the stimulation he needs, such as Airtastic in Aurora or the DuPage Children's Museum in Naperville. I'd be more than happy to share with you our experiences with EI and OT along with any specific advice you have; feel free to PM me if you want. There are several moms on this board who have children with SPD; they've been a very helpful resource for me.

My son has a slight bit of autism with some sensory issues. I was told to read Living Sensationally by Winnie Dunn. She developed the sensory profile that if you haven't filled out yet, you will at some point. Her book isn't necessarily about SPD, but about how the senses work, and I think she touches on how they can disfunction. I still have to read it; check your library for it.