Growth spurts affecting SPD

by Cherie
(Perth Western Australia)

My 5 yr old son has just been diagnosed with SPD (about 3 months ago) He has always had what we called "quirks" he has NEVER been a good sleeper( even as a baby he had to sleep on my chest and now will only sleep in my bed) he had to wear rubber gloves all the time (thank god that lasted only 6 months).

He has no feeling when it comes to extreme hot or cold if the weather is 40 degrees he puts on pants and a jumper and on a cold day he will run around in his jocks.

He always had problems with social skills from being a baby and biting everyone (oral seeking!) to getting very rough with children ( now know he has problems with proprioceptiom). He is a chronic sensory seeker. We have been using a weighted vest, chewing gum ( he was eating anything and everything),a weighted pen to help with his writing.

Over the past 6 weeks he has been having very angry outbursts, they are only happening in the afternoon I'm sure he is just frustrated and over tired by then from trying so hard all day, but I am finding that his sensory diet doesn't seem to be working to help calm him. His paed. want's to check for ADD but I don't think that that's the problem ( and dr's seem to want to hand out medication way too quickly don't they?)

When his sensory needs are being met he is able to concentrate for a good period of time. Having just read that growth spurts can affect SPD has just reassured me that I'm not a mum in denial (as a dr has told me on the past) He has grown 5 cm in the last month or so!!!! So thank you!