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Is SPD a Real Diagnosis?

Is SPD a REAL diagnosis? In a word... YES!

One of the most frustrating things about Sensory Processing Disorders (Sensory Integration Dysfunction) is that there has not YET been enough significant, massive, SPD research through controlled studies to quantify, prove, or predict the symptoms and life course of this disorder (in the eyes of the medical community).

Ah, but, this does not mean it is not a real neurological diagnosis!
(Read that again)

What it DOES mean is this... Sensory Processing Disorders are extremely difficult to get good, solid controlled studies for. The reason for this is partially co-morbidity. So many people who have a Sensory Processing Disorder also share other diagnoses; anything from Autism to Aspergers, Mental Retardation to Developmental Delays, Down Syndrome to Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Anxiety to Fragile X and ADHD... and the list goes on.

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What do YOU think? Is SPD a real diagnosis? Click here to discuss your thoughts and opinions with us and other visitors. We NEED to talk about this!

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It has been, up until now, very difficult to isolate a "control" and a "variable", thus leading to difficulties making generalizations and producing actual numbers for great statistics! But there ARE studies being done (I even proposed an idea for one in college that would probably help! I need to follow up on that... ah, so much to do, so little time!). There will be more scientific research and data coming out in the years to come.

But, know this... it is a REAL diagnosis and the time will come when we prove it scientifically to the medical profession. Soon it WILL be included in the DSM V under neurological diagnoses, the MAIN diagnostic manual for the medical profession! THIS is what our advocacy, education, intervention, and studies are all about!

But, we can have hope even now, as this diagnosis has finally entered THE FIRST major diagnostic manual... The Diagnostic Manual of the Interdisciplinary Council on Developmental and Learning Disorders (ICDL).

So, why are we still not there yet? Well, in addition to co-morbidity, Sensory Processing Disorder is a "cluster of symptoms" that fall on a huge continuum, and an individual can fluctuate within that continuum throughout a period of years, days, or even hours! Therefore, these fluctuations and its vast continuum have made solid scientific studies within "controlled environments" difficult to perform, and actual data and numbers, hard to come by.

Additionally, because it is still misunderstood and relatively "new" to so many professionals and society in general (even though the theory has been around for almost four decades!), there is a huge number of people who have a significant Sensory Processing Disorder and don't even know it. Even more tragic is that they are being misdiagnosed and not getting the proper treatment!

One more thing on that; please understand the continuum is both important in the "type" of Sensory Processing Disorder (i.e. vestibular, proprioceptive, tactile... hyper- or hypo-sensitive, modulation, emotional, social behavioral difficulties, etc.), as well as the intensity, duration, and its consequent impact on functioning.

Some people wonder... don't we all have a sensory processing disorder? No. We all have sensory PREFERENCES! It only becomes a disorder when it significantly impacts one or more areas of functioning!

DO KNOW this... exciting things are happening in the field. The most recent excitement is the name change from Sensory Integration Dysfunction to Sensory Processing Disorder. There were several wonderful reasons for this.

One of which is to make the medical establishment "understand" this diagnosis from a medical, neurological point of reference. This will make the diagnosis more precise in nature as to what is "going wrong" and how best to treat it.

This in turn, gives way to the second reason... insurance reimbursement. Oh, believe me, there is nothing more frustrating (well a few things maybe) than finally understanding what is "wrong" with your child only to be denied help because insurance companies won't pay for the therapy. It is not fully accepted YET, but we are in the process NOW!

As more people become aware, seek out a proper diagnosis, understand this disorder, understand its neurological basis, and seek treatment... we WILL start to see a "Sensory Processing Disorder revolution".

It is an exciting time to be a part of! (Frustrating at times with the "slowness", but overall exciting in how far we have come in 35 years, i.e. since A. Jean Ayres first coined the term "Sensory Integration Disorder/Dysfunction to describe this neurologically based symptomology).

Her legacy WILL continue as the new term Sensory Processing Disorder will only describe the actual symptomology of this neurological disorder. The theory and treatment will still be based on her critical body of work and evidence...and be called Sensory Integration Theory, as always. This is as it stands now, anyways... but I don't see THAT changing soon.

So have patience, have hope, and keep on fighting for your little kiddos!

WE WILL PREVAIL!

Here's one way to find out... Is SPD Real?

Click Here For Hundreds of Links To SPD Research, Studies, Abstracts, And Articles

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What do YOU think? Is SPD a real diagnosis? Click here to discuss your thoughts and opinions with us and other visitors. We NEED to talk about this!

________________________________________________________________

What is Sensory Processing Disorder?

It would be hard to find a parent who hasn't dealt with a young child's temper tantrum. For some, it's more than an occasional outburst, it's a condition called "Sensory Processing Disorder." The "Today" show's Ann Curry reports

What is Sensory Processing Disorder?

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