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LUTZ - There's a buzzword these days in the field of children's behavior-- its not exactly new, but it is getting some credence. It's a diagnosis that may provide some explanation where before there was none. It's called Sensory Processing Disorder or Sensory Integration Dysfunction.
The next generation of ADHD
Seeded on Wed Mar 17, 2010 11:17 AM EDT
Article Source: myfoxtampabay.com- Enjoy this article? Help vote it up the 'Vine.
- Public Discussion (11)
SPD may lack the medical street cred of ADHD and ADD, but in the world of occupational therapy -- where kids have a lot of trouble with everyday things like eating and writing and getting dressed -- it's just as common.
Emily Kaplan, 7, shines just about as bright as any girl her age should. She's a regular on the Principal's Honor Roll, she's a total ham and she knows what she likes and what she's good at.
"Reading," she said laughing. "I like playing on playgrounds and stuff."
Emily is also part of a growing number of children of diagnosed and treated for Sensory Processing Disorder or Sensory Integration Dysfunction.
- 1 vote
#1 - Wed Mar 17, 2010 11:18 AM EDTOh my goodness... I am so glad I stumbled upon this article.
There's this physical therapist, who was seeing my son for some rehab on his hand from surgery. She, at the end of the six sessions tells me my son is in horrible shape, with this sensory integration dysfunction. I was shocked, horrified and felt like a failure. I talked to my son's pediatrician, bought three books on the subject and immersed myself in this new chapter of my son's life and learning. I didn't get much from the pediatrician, but did end up talking to my own psychiatrist about it. I have ADD myself, and still take meds, so am on a med check basis with him. He smiled, gently and said if everyone had a 'label' growing up, no one would be functioning as adults. Your son has what we used to call 'adventure gene'.. meaning he likes to be a daredevil. He is a boy, he will be fine, and just enjoy his energy and enthusiasm for life.
I relaxed, and am enjoying every minute of my son's life. He is definitely an adventurous guy, and the word fearless comes to mind. He is fine, and no extra sessions needed.
All that to say this SID doesn't exist, but seriously?
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- 1 vote
Oops! I meant to say that SID probably does exist on that last line!
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- 1 vote
I believe that adhd kids grow out of this corner with time. I ran across a little boy who would go ballistic if things didn't happen just so. After a year he evolved enough to understand how his behavior and lack of same were affecting his life. I doubt if a spanking would have done him much good then and he doesn't seem to need it now. Autism is a kissing cousin to this but on a different level. Patience is a virtue in these scenarios but might be hard to find in a young parent.
- 1 vote
#2 - Wed Mar 17, 2010 12:01 PM EDTI think you are right, oldstreet. My son had some hard times when he was very little and if he got riled up or too stimulated he would do a meltdown that took hours to reverse. I held him and rocked him and spoke soothingly to him and he'd finally come down and relax. By the time he reached four years old he began to have more control over his emotions and this was a huge improvement.
He is also very sensitive to tags, seams, creases in socks and other itchy scratchy things in clothing and it is the same for me. I know many children who wiggle and whine when something doesn't fit right or doesn't feel right.
I have a feeling that this is just another one of those conditions that has been around for a long time and is now just getting a name.
I do know certain some children have a rough start in life and we do need to be very patient if we want to assist in a positive manner.
- 1 vote
oldstreet, some kids do grow out of it, unfortunately, some don't. I'm an adult with ADHD, and though there are behaviors that I have grown out of, there are some that I haven't. Haven't needed to take any meds(my MD agrees) but only because I am old enough and with enough experience under my belt, to recognize my triggers. Unfortunately, I have 2 of my 6 kids with the disorder. My 14 year old son, as he gets older seems to be more in tune and less distracted. So much so that his Md and I think it might be time to start taking down his meds. My 19 yr daughter on the other hand is more like I was, easily distracted, low tolerance level and her concentration requires a maximun amount of effort(boy can I relate to that!). They've both have had early intervention, which I think is the key for them to be able to understand and deal with themselves as they grow up! As for the spanking, I've been a reasonably good Dad, so they've never had to spank me once....!
- 2 votes
I worry that this coming out will have parents jumping to get a "quick fix" answer, and take even less responsibility as parents. When the ADD and ADHD came out, it seemed like everyone and their cousin had to get their kids medicated... when most of those kids were just being, well, kids. I don't deny ADD/ADHD being real (it runs on one side of my family, and those with it who are adults never "grew out of it") and I don't deny SPD being real. But I think parents need to slow down before jumping to conclusions.
- 3 votes
#3 - Wed Mar 17, 2010 12:14 PM EDTThe jury is still out with me on this diagnosis. I havent read alot of overwhelmingly strong evidence for the diagnosis. The literature does support some of the OT interventions are useful, but most of them seem to be rooted in old tried and true behavioral modifications from CBT.
Feels a bit buzzworthy at the moment, but so did ADHD when it came out.
- 3 votes
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