Hello! I am new to this site and looking for support for my 16 year old daughter who has hypersensitive symptoms of SPD. I didn't know what it was when she was younger, and there isn't much support here in Montana where we live. She has not been officially diagnosed, but she most definitely has symptoms that impact her daily life. I home schooled her from kindergarten to 8th grade, and she is attending a public high school at this time. The home schooling definitely helped, as I was very proactive and we belonged to a good sized co-op where she learned in a comfortable setting with other home schooled children. Many of her sensitivities have lessened, but as a teen some things have resurfaced and have been difficult for her to understand and control. She has very low self-esteem and is extremely hard on herself. She also has a difficult time with anxiety, irritation with everyone and everything, maintaining relationships and making friends. She is extremely bright, but doesn't think so because her thinking is so different than most. What I am looking for here is some support for her so she doesn't feel so alone. Are there any other teens on this forum or is there someplace she can read some articles by teens who have gone through this or are currently experiencing it? Since she has never been officially diagnosed, we just recently brought it up to her and began an open dialogue about the fact that this could be a very real thing impacting her life. I think it was a relief for her to talk about it, but now she really needs to know she isn't alone...and that it's OKAY!
Thank you for any help you can offer.

Hello,

My name is Kylie and I have yet to be diagnosed also. I am sure I have SPD though, and am being tested in December of this year. I am seventeen years old. This is my first time on this forum, and I am unsure if I will be back on it, but I figured I would offer some information that may make her feel like she isn't alone in her symptoms?

I hate loud noises. With a passion... Really, I hate any unnecessary noise. I dislike the other noises too, but I recognize their necessity. For instance, if someone flushes the toilet, that is something that is unavoidable. I hate being in noisy restaurants. And when there are loud noises, I just want to cover my ears and leave (but obviously I can't). I also hate being touched arbitrarily. If I know that the touch is coming, than it’s a lot better. If I initiate touch than that’s fine too. But I cannot begin to express how much I hate it when people randomly touch me... A simple brush of the hand is enough to make me jerk. I often find that my clothing feels like an itch fest, and I hate to get messy. If someone accidentally throws liquid on me I have to breathe through it..!

Think that sounds terrible? It's not so bad. Being able to manage it is the most important thing! For instance, if you are planning on going out to eat, try to go out during a quieter time (like 4 PM instead of 6). Also, if someone is making a noise and you would like them to stop, if anything, say you have a headache! In other words, there are ways to get people to stop their behavior without saying you have SPD. If you don't like being touched, make sure to keep what I call a "safety zone" when you are with other people... A good rule of thumb is two feet. This will really minimize the amount of times that people touch you, even accidentally. If you don't like getting wet, avoid splash zones at all costs (pools, sinks, etc.)

And mainly? Maintain a good attitude. People aren't purposely trying to make you uncomfortable or distressed. They don't know any better! If you want to ask someone to stop doing something, make sure to be polite about it. They really aren't trying to annoy you

I hope this helps! Everything will be okay She isn't alone.