My four year old daughter was just diagnosed NEED Help

by Melody
(Texas USA)

My 4 yr old was just dx with SPD. She also has other dx's the neurologist can't figure out. She had Early Childhood Intervention until she was 3 and now they have her in PPCD which is mainstreamed with Pre K. She still will not give up her pacifier, which the doctors told me not to worry about it, but I do.




She has also regressed back to wearing pull-ups. The first month of school she did good with wearing big girl panties, but after that she started having accidents. They were changing her 4-5 times a day. We just went back to pull-ups after that. Now she is really having behavior issues. She got a bad grade on here report card for behavior, and I'm really having a tough time at home. She just won't listen. She does things just to make me mad, like taking her chips throwing them on the floor and then stopping on them. She is talking back more than ever, and just being mean. Trying to hit me. She loves to spit, and I can't stand that.

I'm a single mother and also live with my 79 yr old mother just dx with Alzheimer's. I'm just really having a tough time and would appreciate any advice and help. We also drive 33 miles one way for pt and OT. we have been doing that for about a month. We live in a small town.

Thanks for any advice I can get. I just bought the book The Out-of-Sync Child, but haven't had time to start reading it yet.

Melody



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Apr 24, 2010
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starstarstarstarstar 		My friend and sister in Christ.
by: Maria

Dear Melony:

I am very sorry for what you are going through. I was diagnosed with lupus 3 days ago and I have 3 kids. I am very scared but as Christian women God will never leave us. Sometimes bad things happen in life, but if you have God you will be a winner! Always trust in the lord your God. With faith we can move mountains. Remember he loves us all the same. When we talk to him he is always there for us and with us doing wonderful things. Don't be scared!!!
I will be praying for God to bless you.
Mar 20, 2009
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starstarstarstarstar 		Thank you
by: Melody

Thank you Ericka, Lupe and Craig. I will be going May 12. Most of her dr's are in FT worth anyway. It's only 2 and a half hours from me.(Hey there is a break for me :-) ) Thank you all for your words of encouragement. I needed that.
Mar 20, 2009
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starstarstarstarstar 		Sensory Street, other ideas
by: Ericka Morgan

Hi Melody,
My first idea is that you should join a yahoo group I'm in, called Sensory Street. It is a great group for parents of SPD kids, I get so much support there! I am a single mother as well, and we also live in a small town. We drive an hour each way for OT, and also 45 minutes each way for psychological therapy. Today, we are driving 1 hour 20 minutes each way to go to a Developmental Pediatrician. So I do feel your pain!!!! I'm in another yahoo group for single parents, it is also wonderful! If you want to email me you can, I will forward some messages from the groups to you. erickawaymorgan@yahoo.com
I hope I can help you more!
Mar 20, 2009
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starstarstarstarstar 		Patience
by: Lupe

My son was just diagnosed recently with a mild case of sensory processing disorder. He goes to O.T. once a week. Right now he's hit the terrible three's along with his diagnosis.(Although sometimes I find that he's either hungry or tired and he can't express this) This is very difficult for me and my disabled husband. He currently is afraid to take a bath since he accidentally turned the shower on at G-ma's. So I've been working on getting him back in the tub. The occupational therapist suggested an idea and I'm working on it.

All I can say is try to be as patient as you can with her. I know it's not easy.Discipline does help. We've put him in time out. He's kicked me several times. Once in the stomach. Ouch!! Anyway I know it's difficult. We have our son in daycare a few mornings. Maybe you could look into it. I work on a long-term care unit at a local hospital. I've worked with Alzheimer's patient's for eighteen years. Take some time for yourself when you can.
Mar 20, 2009
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starstarstarstarstar 		Hang in There...
by: Craig

Dear Melody,

I read your Post and my heart goes out to you. I have been in exactly the same position you are now in: Sandwiched and overwhelmed.

The first thing that I recommend is that you find some time to read "The Out-of-Sync Child". It will help you understand that your child isn't doing this on purpose, or just to make you crazy. She has a neurological disorder that causes her to be overwhelmed by the sensory information the the world is presenting her. There are other good books to read:

Sensational Kids by Lucy Jane Miller

The Goodenoughs Get in Sync By Carol Kranowitz


My daughter had the same problems at about the same age. She was having a lot of problems in preschool for many reasons. The biggest one being that she was overwhelmed all the time and not able to do the things that everyone else was doing so easily. She always tried her best to keep it together at school. And, of course, when she got home, she'd unload and go off because she could no longer keep it together.

Keep up with PT and especially, the OT. It will help. Discuss the problems you are having with the OT and ask for advice on implementing a sensory diet that will help her at home and in school. Work with her teacher and the school on a possible Individual Education Plan - IEP or a 504 Accommodation Plan that will help your daughter succeed in school and help the teachers and administrators better understand her and how to help her.

Talk with your OT also about any support group for Parents of Children with SPD that may be in your area. You need support and understanding. And, you need to take care of yourself. You've got a tremendous amount on your plate...

Many Blessings,

Craig

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