Sometimes you think your child has sensory processing disorder (spd) and it turns out to be Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
Stacey Kline
The conditions are very similar sometimes (If you are not aware of sensory processing disorder, click here).
I know if one of my twins has too much excitement for a day he is wiped out. He becomes whiny and tends to not cooperate.
Whether your child has special needs or not, here are some tips from an occupational therapist that could help you through the holiday season:
Spread out your schedule for excitement. Don’t have too much in one day;
Put on some relaxing music;
Dim the lights. Consider having your child or children look at glow in the dark lights;
Read to them or do something quiet;
Consider getting a tent or establishing a spot in the house where they can play quietly by themselves where you can see them;
Lessen their sugar intake!
Occupational therapists who work with children are extremely helpful with those who have sensory processing disorder and other needs. Consult your pediatrician for a recommendation or ask around and find other parents who are using one.
Stacey Kline is a happily married mother of four plus a stepson. Gardening, fishing, playing board games and spending time with her family and friends are just some of the things that help her find relief from the daily grind. She wants to share some of the many tips she's learned to help make YOUR "Mommy Time" special.
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Gina Gaffney
said:
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The other side of the coin While I totally agree that parents should make sure to take the time to chill out around the holidays, I do need to raise an opposing opinion to the SPD issue. SPD is a term used by Occupational Therapists but is not recognized in the medical or psychological field as a diagnosis. As a Licensed Professional Counselor in NJ for over ten years and as a former parent of a 7 y.o. in the public school system (Thank goodness he's in private school now!), I have seen many children throughout New Jersey, including my own, being pushed toward being labelled with SPD when they are simply being kids. After dealing with the school from hell for two years, who tried to say that my son had ADHD...then SPD...then immaturity (and would we consider leaving him back)...we had had enough. If you want to know what the schools' motivations are, just ask me. I can enlighten you to no end. However, whenever I asked the school for specifics: What assessment tool did you use? When are where was the assessment conducted? What were his specific behaviors? What was the frequency and duration of these behaviors? What was the staff intervention? What was his response to those interventions? I couldn't get a single response from them, other than "Oh, never mind. We weren't trying to say there was a problem." WTF??? Stacey, I don't mean for this to reflect on you personally. I don't know you, and you can be a gifted, dedicated, and ethical OT for all I know. I just people to understand that, just because someone tells you something about your child (i.e., the schools), don't take it at face value. Get an independent second opinion by a qualified professional ALWAYS. And yes, enjoy the holidays and watch for the kiddies bouncing off the walls. :) |
Stacey Kline
said:
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... Gina, You are totally correct! You can't rely on the schools.. we had similar problems but in a different way. I am not an OT..I am speaking from my experience and every parent has a story to tell. I Just want to help parents out there that are having a hard time. Seeking a professional is a good thing. We went to see a developmental pediatrician that has been so helpful and helped us so much. An OT doesn't diagnose anything. They just help you cope with what you have..They are extremely great at helping children with sensory processing disorder..And yes these tips can help any parent no matter if they have problems or not. I think it all depends where you live too..I am so sorry that you went through all of that in the school system. I love to hear what other parents have been through. We can learn from all of our experience. I was speaking from my heart like always..thanks for you comment. I hope someone that reads this can learn from you too... :) |
Lynn Paret
said:
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... Though I am not a fan of labels either.. and I am neither a parent or a professional,, I DO have many kids in my life, that had they not been diagnosed early, could have had a harder time in school. Some sensory issues are so severe that they make it difficult for the kids to get all they can out of school. Though I understand that parents shouldn't blindly let their kids be diagnosed.. I also agree with trying to understand what it is the child is going thru, and have them tested privately. In my day there were not so many tests.. or diagnosis.. some people got on with life with little problems, and others continued to have issues into adulthood that have hindered their life severely. I agree that some labels are thrown around too easily.. that a misbehaving child is called ADHD.. or a child that doesn't like play in the sand box has sensory issues.. but when you notice some things in a young child and get some therapy early.. its amazing the difference it makes later on. It can also be immaturity.. but between the parents and the professionals, there can be some understanding to what the child needs. I know the motivation for some schools.. and I'd like to THINK basically they have your child best interest at heart.. (and I have seen that is not always the case) I have some children in my life that have benefited greatly from therapy.. and unfortunately I have a few that had been told they needed help and didn't get it.. As an outsider..(not having kids) I can see how hard it is to be told that your child has a problem.. and I have also seen that some kids are a handful for a teacher.. and they just pass them off as ADHD.. and have the child endure endless tests.. I can't begin to really understand it all.. but I Do read a lot and make that I am sensitive to the needs and make sure that when some of these kids are in my care.. we play using suggestions that have been given by their occupational therapists.. and its helped a lot. Thanks you for your article Stacy.. and Regina, thanks for your views.. getting different opinions from professionals is what I like to do.. and it helps me understand what family and friends are going through. |
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