(06-13-2012, 01:47 PM)Marci Wrote:

(06-12-2012, 02:13 PM)Tuttleturtle Wrote: If it'd really help, I'd recommend contacting places, at least if you're staying in something like a bed&breakfast (which tend to be slightly more expensive, but more sensory friendly I've found), telling them the situation, and requesting permission for the cat to come. I'd also recommend getting the cat something that labels it as an animal that helps people - bandanas, collars with specific very visible tags, the capes of service animals, and so on are all good for that. With permission and something to show that the cat is more than a pet, its not unreasonable to get permission, its just something that its their decision.

This cat struts into the hotel lobby wearing his harness and leash, hops up on the check-in counter and greets the desk clerk. He doesn't care for his bandana.

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(06-12-2012, 02:06 PM)Dan Wrote:

(06-11-2012, 10:52 PM)Marci Wrote: I'm having a hard time understanding the link between SPD and walking into traffic. What particular "sense" of the sensory processing issues gives rise that situation?

I just wanted to step in and comment on this. I can clearly see walking out in front of cars as being part of the sensory processing picture. Heck, it's a common symptom.

Not noticing when vehicles are coming can clearly fall under the realm of sensory under-responsiveness. Also, not being able to judge how far away a vehicle is, how quickly it is coming, or what direction it is even coming from are definitely caused by sensory processing (and in particular, sensory discrimination) issues.

Remember, it takes proper sensory processing to realize there's a street, to check for vehicles, to determine whether or not it's safe, and to get out of the way quickly if someone is coming at you quickly. Without proper sensory processing, any or all of these things may be impaired.

Interesing interpretation on SPD, and one that is completely new to me. I've not encountered it in our experiences, nor seen that scenario mentioned in any of the literature. You say it is a common symptom, can you point to any documentation of that?

(06-21-2012, 03:58 PM)Tuttleturtle Wrote: That's definitely something that needs to be thought about when it comes to the individual. Dogs aren't magic solutions and shouldn't be thought of as such - they have a lot of needs, take a lot of work, and cause their own problems because of being dogs as well as because of people treating you differently.

Anyone with hypersensitivities would need to explicitly take those into account if thinking about this. Slobber is another thing to take into account sensory-wise. It's not a decision to make lightly at all and that just adds to what needs to be thought about.

This isn't a magic solution for SPD. It just happens to be one I'm looking at for a potential for myself. Dogs aren't used for disabilities, they're used for people.