2. Target Audience : Parents Amy Zirbser

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

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

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

6. Comorbidity Additional disorders co-existing with a primary disorder

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

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

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

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

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

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

13. 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

14. 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

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

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

17. “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

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

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

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

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

22. 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

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

24. References www.autismspeaks.org www.spdfoundation.net