Is this possible?

by Megan

My best friend recently learned that she was diagnosed as SPD as a child. I've known her since we were in the 1st grade and she's never seemed out-of-place, she's always had many friends and done very well in school. She said she's never noticed it before because when she was very young she taught herself how to deal with it and overcame it before she knew what it was.




Is it possible for someone to teach themselves to get over a disorder at a young age, or any age? And is it possible to a person to teach himself or herself to overcome other disorders as well? I'm curious to understand her situation. She definitely has some of the symptoms, for example, she will only eat extremely bland foods and has to wash all of her clothes a certain way or else she won't wear them. She's also said she doesn't feel emotions as oftenly or strongly as others. I'm wondering if anyone can answer this question for me. Thanks for reading.



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Oct 24, 2010
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starstarstarstarstar 		intelligence
by: Anonymous

i am dyslexic, and i have adhd, with possible SPD.
i got diagnosed 8 months ago.
I've lived the majority of my life without knowing that i have these. I don't think they reflect someone's intelligence. When i got assessed, i was told that i had actually developed ways to cope, without knowing it.


:)
Apr 09, 2010
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starstarstarstarstar 		adults can deal with it
by: Anonymous

I'm in my 20s and beginning to work as a foster parent. While learning about all these crazy issues the kids can deal with I started noticing my own patterns that fit into these. It had never occurred to me that I may have some aspergers tendencies leaving me in general avoiding certain social situations. Along with that is the SPD making it difficult for me to eat many foods, have difficulty brushing my teeth (the taste), dealing with friendly hugs and touching from light strangers. Among other issues.

It's just now dawning on me that I've probably had this all along, but just grew up and dealt with it. I knew some things bothered me more than they did other people - like getting in the cold water, but I just tried to suck it up. As an adult I've got my life set up to accommodate my idiosyncrasies so I don't usually have problems.

Clothing/materials don't bother me... but then again my clothes are all cotton. Maybe I subconsciously did that. Maybe your friend just deals with it and doesn't even realize it.

The only issue that really comes in to play daily and in social situations is food. I am sooo picky. I hate certain brands, certain textures, and mixed flavors. I don't want my foods to touch and eat all of one thing before moving on to the next. All the white has to be cut off of oranges too! Food is a constant problem because you eat all the time, and it's a social convention that certainly has a lot of pressure!
Nov 23, 2009
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starstarstarstarstar 		all of us have sensory issues,we have our brain to thank
by: Anonymous

it is only a disorder if it interferes with your daily living.just a mom here,not a specialist
Nov 13, 2009
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starstarstarstarstar 		DOCTOR EXPLAIN SPD!
by: Anonymous

Hello Megan, it is possible, because are various degrees of SPD. I haven't experience personally. Ask the doctors to talk more about this serious and real disorder. greetings
Nov 08, 2009
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starstarstarstarstar 		Hi!
by: Anonymous

Hey Megan,

It's totally possible! This is not a new disorder it just finally has a name and some recognition. It often runs in families so you might have a Mother and Son whom only eat bland foods or in my case a Daughter and her Grandma who can't stand being touched too softly and can't take noisey places without getting a headache. If you scroll down you can see many postings from adults always wondering why they felt so different or overly sensitive. But as adults we have the luxury of avoiding situations that trigger the discomfort.

Did you ever meet someone who had a hard time making eye contact while talking or always no matter what wore only long sleeves...even in 100* weather? My friends son does that. She also thought it was strange that he carried 6 or more full bottles of water in his back pack and never drank them. But an OT will tell you some people with SPD crave the feeling of weight on their bodies it helps regulate their nervous system. So instinctively he gave his body what it craved. It's very interesting reading the books about SPD you realize how non-rare it really is!

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