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Help For Kids With Sensory Processing Disorder
NAPSI)—If you’ve ever watched a child throw a tantrum in the grocery store, or witnessed a child slam into things, seemingly oblivious to pain, you may have seen the symptoms of sensory processing disorder (SPD). This condition affects 5 to 10 percent of children. Many parents whose children exhibit these and similar behavioral problems may be relieved to know that they are not alone. There may be a medical reason—and effective treatment is available.
Understanding SPD Whether you’re eating, walking or reading, your ability to do so requires the integration of sensations. SPD occurs when sensory signals don’t get organized into appropriate responses. This makes everyday tasks difficult, even though most individuals with SPD are just as intelligent as their peers and many are intellectually gifted. Signs of SPD A person with SPD may exhibit such symptoms • Overly sensitive to touch, noises, smells or movement • Floppy or stiff body; clumsy, poor motor skills • Difficulty dressing, eating, sleeping or toilet training • Frequent or lengthy temper tantrums • Easily distracted, fidgety, withdrawn or aggressive • Craves movement • Easily overwhelmed.Not everyone with these symptoms has SPD and not everyone with SPD has all these symptoms, but if your child has many of them, it may be time to see a doctor.
The Good News Fortunately, once children have been accurately diagnosed, explains Lucy Jane Miller, Ph.D., OTR, occupational therapy can help them participate in normal activities—playing with friends, enjoying school, eating, dressing and sleeping. The Bad News SPD is frequently misdiagnosed or confused with ADHD and other conditions. The Answers The Sensory Processing Disorder Foundation provides information at www.SPDNow.org and (303) 794-1182.
Dear Readers,
We would like to recommend one of the most informative literary resources available. The valuable resource is a book called The Out-of-Sync Child, written by Carol Stock Kranowitz. This book was recommended to us by my son's OT Renee, Horizon Pediatric Mesa, AZ. Renee suggested the help me understand Sensory Processing. The amount of information and answers to challenging was unbelievable. We connected a lot of what my son was trying to communicate to us. It was simply amazing to have an answer to behaviors that had been ignored. After reading this book, We were empowered with that alleviated a lot of stressors of the unknown/unexplained.