Target Audience : Parents Amy Zirbser

What is it? Trouble responding to and receiving information through senses May affect multiple senses Hyper or hyposensitive to things in environment

Causes No exact cause Abnormal brain activity Genetic component Maternal deprivation Premature birth Prenatal malnutrition Great Book!

Who does it affect? 5 to 16% of children exhibit symptoms of SPD Babies, toddlers, school-aged children and adults

Comorbidity Additional disorders co-existing with a primary disorder

Co-Existing disorders ADHD Autism/Asperger’s Syndrome Language Disorder Learning Disability Fragile X Syndrome Anxiety OCD

Symtpoms Over-responsive or under-responsive to things Can not transition Frequent tantrums and meltdowns Exists on a spectrum

What does this mean? hypersensitive Fear of sudden high pitched sound Poor Balance Fear of Climbing Fear of Crowds Fearful of touch Background noise distracting

What does this mean? Enjoys movement based play Hypo sensitive Doesn’t know own strength Thrill seeker Clumsy, uncoordinated movement Can’t understand personal space Constantly touching things

Diagnostic Process Screening a. parent checklist b. developmental history Needs to affect normal functional and disrupt everyday life If warranted evaluation follows

Diagnostic Tools Sensory Integration and Praxis Test(children ages 4-8) Sensory Profile, Sensory Processing Measure(Parents, Teachers) Comprehensive OT evaluation

Benefits of early diagnosis Leads to early intervention Increase success of EI Better school experiences Prevent secondary problems Correct labeling of unusual behaviors Improve family life

Treatment Can be hard to get help Isn’t recognized as a medical diagnosis Depends on individual child’s need Usually done by Occupational therapists

Sensory Integration Goal- challenge a child in a fun, playful way Outcome-child responds appropriately, functions normally

DIR Model Developmental, Individual Difference, Relationship- Based Model Developed by Stanley Greenspan, MD & Serena Weider Ph.D “Floortime” method is major part

“Floortime” method Multiple sessions of play 20 minutes each First parents follow child’s lead Then parents create challenges for child Creating a “shared world” with the parent Session are tailored to individual child’s needs

Impact on me My daughter has this diagnosis This is her brief story

Demographics Four years old In Pre-Kindergarten Has two siblings One with ADHD/ODD diagnosis Highly Intelligent

Initial Symptoms Toe Walking Aversion to certain food textures Aversion to certain noises Avoided over-stimulating things Repetitive behaviors Trouble with transitioning

Treatments Had Early intervention therapy Private Occupational therapy Private feeding therapy Participates in many extracurricular activities

Present Day Struggles with eating certain things Need for sameness Doesn’t transition well Struggles with certain textures Struggles with certain environments Some days good, some bad

Lesson’s Learned Be your child’s advocate Listen to your heart, not other people Be patient Get your kids involved

References