Hi Everyone, My son Aiden was diagnosed with SPD when he was just about 3 and 1/2 years old.
It's funny because from the day that he was born something seemed, well, kind of "off".
He was always overstimulated really easily..bright lights, loud noises..even too much movement could set him off screaming for hours as a baby..he wanted his space to be almost cave-like which was the exact opposite of what my other child enjoyed. He wouldn't nurse well and would scream if I tried to sing him songs (really, my voice isn't THAT bad..lol)
I thought maybe it was as simple as different kids, different personalities.
Sooo..I spent a lot of time at home with him for the first several years and read every parenting book I could get my hands on.
I tried different discipline styles, even resorted to spanking at one point but nothing seemed to get through to him..He would jump off of 6 ft big toys at 2 years of age without hesitating..no fear of getting hurt at all..he didn't react to pain in the typical way either.
He bit all of the way through his tongue when he was 3 and 10 seconds later was up and running again with blood pouring from his mouth (graphic..sorry) He even managed to knock his front teeth askew on a slide at the playground and hardly reacted..he cried because I definitely reacted...luckily the oral surgeon was able to push them back into place..Aiden didn't cry then either.
At Aiden's 3 year checkup his Dr was concerned because every visit to his office consisted of Aiden running screaming away from him..trying to hide behind tables, knocking over furniture and throwing things.. We started talking and he mentioned SPD..which I had never heard of..He asked me to set up an appointment to have Aiden evaluated and that is where the next part of our journey began
It was such a relief to know that I wasn't "imagining things" as my (now Ex) husband was fond of saying and even though I knew that Aiden's issues were going to be difficult I knew that there was SOMETHING that I could do to help my child to live a happier life!
I talked with our school district, got my son's evaluation and he started a Developmental Preschool program a week later..After 2 years of Developmental Preschool and occupational therapy and 1 successful year of a split 1/2 day Developmental K 1/2 day Mainstream K..my son has now graduated from his IEP and for the first time will be in a mainstream class the entire school day!
He's worked really hard to reach this point and I am SO proud of him!
There is so much more to tell and to share but I think that I've rambled on for long enough..lol
Thanks for reading our story

Hi, Aidensmom! *waves* It's so good to see you here and to hear your story. Sounds like it's been a real victory march for you recently in helping Aiden. Fantastic! I'm glad you trusted your mommy instincts and didn't let someone else try to tell you that you were imagining things. (Believe me, I've heard that enough for a lifetime!) Kudos to You, and kudos to Aiden for working so hard to get where he's at today.

Looking forward to hearing more about your journey and Aiden's!

Hyposensitivity to touch (what you describe your son as having), can be dangerous. Your son needs to learn if he sees blood, bones, or torn skin that he needs to report it to an adult since he can't properly evaluate it himself.

The few people I know with this problem repeatedly injure themselves by accident because they have a hard time realizing that they damaged their bodies.

In my case I am the opposite. I am a pain wimp, hypersensitive to touch, and the slightest touch can be agony for me. I am unlikely to cause major damage to myself because my hypersensitivity to touch has made me a very cautious person.

(08-29-2010, 01:44 AM)beck7422 Wrote: Hyposensitivity to touch (what you describe your son as having), can be dangerous. Your son needs to learn if he sees blood, bones, or torn skin that he needs to report it to an adult since he can't properly evaluate it himself.

The few people I know with this problem repeatedly injure themselves by accident because they have a hard time realizing that they damaged their bodies.

In my case I am the opposite. I am a pain wimp, hypersensitive to touch, and the slightest touch can be agony for me. I am unlikely to cause major damage to myself because my hypersensitivity to touch has made me a very cautious person.

Thanks for bringing that up..I didn't fully explain where he was at now in my post. He's still learning to recognize pain but he does actually feel it and has become much more reactive in the past couple of years..still hyposensitive but not to the same extreme..at the same time he's hypersensitive to light touch. Tags and seams drive him crazy and he's rather get a bearhug than be touched lightly.
He climbed a 40 ft rock wall (1st time) the other day like a pro. (with all gear and a spotter holding the rope) They were amazed that he scaled the wall so quickly and had no fear..if only they knew