Hello my name is Cooper and i am 13. I am new to this. I have known for about 5 years that i was different. I am skinny, because i am not hungry, i get full fast. Also i cannot touch paper or i cringe. When 2 pieces of paper rub together i flip out. Also when a towel and paper touch that's the worse thing! There is also many other things that i hate to touch like leather and fabric of any kind. I love to touch playdo.... Yep i know really weird. But when i touch Playdoo i cant describe it i am really happy and like .... dye. Yeah its a really indescribably love to touch playdoo and things like it. When i touch it i like tense up????? I feel weird telling about this. I finally told my sister about 1 month ago and she found this for me. She s 15 and always listens to me and keeps secrets. Ummmmm that is really all i want to say. Also something frightening is happening. Its getting worse. I don't know why? The other day at school i almost called my mom. But i decided not to and just didn't touch paper all day. My parents deny that i have it and say that everyone has something weird about them and its nothing!

-Why is it getting worse?
-How can i make it stop?
-Why do i like to touch playdoo so much?

Hey there skatercooper. Welcome to the site. I'm glad you found us.

Here are some thoughts to the questions you asked:
Why is it getting worse?
Well, as we get older, our brain and body goes through changes. When you have SPD, these developmental changes can often lead to issues. Some problems can get much worse. Some can get better, although that's unlikely unless you're getting good treatment, like through occupational therapy.

How can you make it stop?
Well, I'm sorry to say this man, but SPD is generally something that is here to stay. It's not easy to accept that. It really isn't. I sometimes struggle with that myself. However, if you get OT and continue to work on things and keep your sensory needs in mind, things really can improve. I'm in better shape now than I was before. It just took time, work, and help. It's possible and can be done.

Why do you like to touch Playdoh so much?
On this one, I would say you find it pleasant to the touch. Basically, it's giving you the tactile (touch) sensory information you need to help regulate. Whether it's making you more alert or calm is a question, but either way, it's helping your system organize. I know it sounds weird dude, but trust me, you are not the weirdest person here, LOL!

In fact, there are types of putties and stuff that they sell because a lot of people with SPD love the stuff. I liked it when I was a kid, and many of my SPD friends like to mess around with it still as adults. I encourage you to get more Playdoh and play with it more often, lol. It's safe, and even if your peers think it's weird, well it doesn't matter if it helps you feel better, in the end.

It's worth note also, that because you are 13, that's an age that your body is doing a lot of changing, and that means your sensory system is changing too. It's an age that it is more common to have things get worse or better during, certain symptoms getting worse and others getting better. Puberty is a big deal for those of us with SPD.

You can probably find ways to make people not think of playing with playdough so weird as you get older if that matters to you. For example, you can make playdough games with friends (http://chopper.teamhifi.org/claydonia.html is a game I've played in college! Playing with playdough was entirely expected!)

Or you could just carry a small can of playdough with you always.

I often carry theraputty with me.

I do recommend talking to your parents and your doctor and seeing if you can get into occupational therapy. There are things that can be done to make things like touching paper less terrible. That's an issue I have too, though less extremely than you - my tactile issues are primarily not paper.

Hang in there, and lean on your sister (well done to her for listening to you!)

I'm also relatively new to this, my 6 year old son was only diagnosed in November last year. So not sure how much use my advice will be, but here goes:

Keep reading and take what you find to your parents. Print the SPD checklists and ask your parents if you ever displayed any of the signs when you were smaller - did you cry a lot? Have reflux? or "colic"? did you not sleep well? Were you on target or delayed with your milestones? Did you throw "tantrums" often and keep doing so later than 'usual'? Did you refuse to wear some clothes or insist your parents cut all the labels out? Did you want everything to be really tight? Were you classed as hyperactive or aggressive or refuse to play on the jungle jims/ with other kids - or wouldn't get off the playground equipment? Did you love to spin or be upside down - or alternatively can't stand these things? Do you get motion sickness? Were you/are you a very picky eater - can you just not handle certain textures, temperatures, flavours?

they say *most* children have sensory issues of some kind - BUT and it's a big BUT - if it is interfering with everyday life in any area - at school, at home, wherever, then you need help, and most often that's through an OT.

If playdough works for you, use it! Do whatever you can to help yourself cope, especially if your parents aren't on board.

But keep trying. Also - can you approach a school counsellor and ask for advice? Or ask for a doctor's appointment and ask if they will refer you for an assessment? I'm not sure if your parents will let you talk to the doctor alone and if the doctor can refer you without your parents consent?

Good luck!

(03-24-2013, 11:19 PM)Dan Wrote: Hey there skatercooper. Welcome to the site. I'm glad you found us.

Here are some thoughts to the questions you asked:
Why is it getting worse?
Well, as we get older, our brain and body goes through changes. When you have SPD, these developmental changes can often lead to issues. Some problems can get much worse. Some can get better, although that's unlikely unless you're getting good treatment, like through occupational therapy.

How can you make it stop?
Well, I'm sorry to say this man, but SPD is generally something that is here to stay. It's not easy to accept that. It really isn't. I sometimes struggle with that myself. However, if you get OT and continue to work on things and keep your sensory needs in mind, things really can improve. I'm in better shape now than I was before. It just took time, work, and help. It's possible and can be done.


Hey I really appreciate my help you are extremely nice and glad I know what's up know
Why do you like to touch Playdoh so much?
On this one, I would say you find it pleasant to the touch. Basically, it's giving you the tactile (touch) sensory information you need to help regulate. Whether it's making you more alert or calm is a question, but either way, it's helping your system organize. I know it sounds weird dude, but trust me, you are not the weirdest person here, LOL!

In fact, there are types of putties and stuff that they sell because a lot of people with SPD love the stuff. I liked it when I was a kid, and many of my SPD friends like to mess around with it still as adults. I encourage you to get more Playdoh and play with it more often, lol. It's safe, and even if your peers think it's weird, well it doesn't matter if it helps you feel better, in the end.

---

(03-24-2013, 01:00 AM)skatercooper Wrote: Hello my name is Cooper and i am 13. I am new to this. I have known for about 5 years that i was different. I am skinny, because i am not hungry, i get full fast. Also i cannot touch paper or i cringe. When 2 pieces of paper rub together i flip out. Also when a towel and paper touch that's the worse thing! There is also many other things that i hate to touch like leather and fabric of any kind. I love to touch playdo.... Yep i know really weird. But when i touch Playdoo i cant describe it i am really happy and like .... dye. Yeah its a really indescribably love to touch playdoo and things like it. When i touch it i like tense up????? I feel weird telling about this. I finally told my sister about 1 month ago and she found this for me. She s 15 and always listens to me and keeps secrets. Ummmmm that is really all i want to say. Also something frightening is happening. Its getting worse. I don't know why? The other day at school i almost called my mom. But i decided not to and just didn't touch paper all day. My parents deny that i have it and say that everyone has something weird about them and its nothing!

-Why is it getting worse?
-How can i make it stop?
-Why do i like to touch playdoo so much?

You guys were all a huge help thank you so much. I'm going to the doctor soon to get diagnosed with it

Hey Skatercooper and All,
Kudos to you taking for the forward steps. Heck, I am 39 and it took me 38 years to figure it out. I always knew I was a little different but couldn't understand why. You are 13 and seem to have a leg up on things. Many of us here have kids who've been diagnosed with SPD. Furthermore, my thoughts are perhaps many of us who have children diagnosed with SPD...we too, their parents, may also have it and have been simply un/misdiagnosed...like myself.

This site has been therpeutic to say the least. Reading about others and exchanging our "stories" helps a lot in that none of us are alone.

Cooper...you may be able to shed some light for some of the parents here who have small children diagnosed with SPD who cannot always communicate well due to age of their kids.

Hold your head high young man. As I tell my son....the world doesn't know it...but we have superpowers!!!

Frubsdad you said "we have superpowers" and so you have.
Going by what my son is like your world is so sensitive that us who don't have it haven't a clue.
My sons hearing for one, I can't set foot out of my bed at the opposite end of the house without him k owing I have.
I am learning every day, but some days have me beat.