Hi!

I'm mom of 3 kids - 2 girls and a boy. Eldest will be 6 in April, then 4 year old, then 19 month old boy. My 4 year old is the SPDer. I've known for ages that there was something "wrong" but couldn't convince anyone of it. She's very verbal, active, and extroverted.

She's a picky eater, has difficulty sleeping, difficulty with clothes, noises, and smells. Some of these things are fairly new, some of them have been since she was born.

We're in the beginning stages of getting funding so we can get an OT. We've already paid $1000+ for a private OT assessment.

Everyday is a struggle and it pains me to see her meltdown frequently because of what seems like something so trivial - like crackers touching each other, or hair not perfectly parted.

Hi Digrr,

I am a SPD extravert.

I was a picky eater (mostly due to undiagnosed food allergies) and food made me hurt.
I had a lot of nightmares, but had no problems sleeping once I had my own room and no longer had to share with my sister (who needed the light on when we slept).
Certain noises have always upset me. Flutes are the worst.

$1000 for an OT assessment seems way too high, even without any health insurance coverage. I don't remember how much mine was exactly, but it was less than $200. Is the OT specialist you are seeing know how to identify and treat SPD?

Thanks for your reply Beck7422, are you in Canada?

She does share a room with her sister, but even when she's alone (sister has a sleep over or something), she still has sleep issues.

Her picky eating is sensory - she likes certain feels of foods and how it makes her jaw feel when it clenches down. We've had allergy tested and also tested for sensitivities. Dairy is a big sensitivity for her and we try to avoid it with her.

We paid $1125 Cdn for the OT assessment. It was $125/hr (which is the cheapest OT I've found) - 3.5 hours of testing, plus writing time, plus an hour parental consultation. We had to go private as public didn't see ANYTHING! This OT is the main promoter of SPD here and is trying her best to get it recognized in the DSM... We don't have any health insurance coverage for OT so it was completely paid for on our own.

I think her noise sensitivities are mainly due to her auditory processing disorder, although that's speculation on the part of the OT. We have no OT working with us currently and we have no official diagnosis of anything.

I just found out today she'll qualify for mild/moderate funding, so she'll be getting OT support in the classroom but no aide.

I live in the state of Michigan in the USA. I live close to the USA/Canada border at the point where Canada is actually to the SOUTH of the USA. I live near Detroit and Windsor (the Canadian city to the South).

I have some texture loves and hates as well, although that is my most mild sensory issue. I can grin and bear texture problems. I can't grin and bear most of my other SPD problems. I prefer soft or chewy foods. With the exception of carrots I HATE crunchy foods. I eventually end up choking on crunchy foods even if I otherwise like the flavor and taste.

In order for me to eat some vegetables they have to be cut up pretty fine and cooked in a stew or stir fry. Basically make them soft or just not as crunchy. Although they lose some of their nutritional value that way, I at least I get some of the benefits. For example: I much prefer really soggy asparagus. Asparagus cooked properly is just nasty to me (but I will eat it). However, soggy asparagus can be divine. Everyone else I know thinks I am a freak because of it.

I used to chew a ton of gum. When I am having sensory problems in my mouth I go find the gum to help it rebalance.

Hi Dgrr,
I have a 5 yr old who has SPD, we live in the uk. He was only dx a few months ago so am new to it too. I am however not new to all his problems which I too took 5 yrs to find out what it was, every dr said he was a typical boy just a bit hyper.
Well they never lived with him.
He has always been sensitive to noise, he never slept until he was 3 now he sleeps really well.
He avoids wheat, gluten and soy but at one time also dairy but now we have re-introduced that and fingers x he is ok.
He never shuts up, can talk for England. Is very hyper, has lots of clothing issues especially tags. Can't control his temperature, sometimes has blue lips. His normal tem is 36 degrees where most people are 37 ish.
He melts down frequently without any idea why but is not like this at school.
I am fortunate as his school SENCO teacher recognised his symptoms and had him tested in OT so they are really helpful thankfully.
I also think he has something else alongside SPD but not worked that out yet.
It's great to have others in same boat even just to compare notes but there are few great people on here who are invaluable to help me understanding it as they have lived it.
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