I am just wondering if SPD tends to get better with age or get worse with age? Do kids learn to cope on their own and turn out to be functioning adults or does it get worse and lead to their inability to function?
I have been wondering the same thing myself. My daughter is 6 years old and has received OT/Speech and PT services first from the state (IL), and now at school, and privately at a facility called "The Rainbow Center" Her self-help skills, as well as her coping skills seem to be at a stand-still, if not worse, and she still acts like she's 3 years old. I am so sad, frustrated, worried and exhausted by her SPD symptoms. I need to get support for this so that's why I came to this site. I am really hoping there is someone out there that can reassure me!
Apr 08, 2010 Rating
I find that as my DD gets older NEW by: DebbieKinIL
She is getting better at handling the challenges of her SPD. She is 11 and will be in middle school this August. We are already working on ways to help her cope with all the changes.
Apr 07, 2010 Rating
Hi WendyNEW by: Heather, Calif
I've found with my daughter, it has definitely gotten better since she entered middle school. I think the fact that she gets up and moves between classes and lugs a heavy back pack help her regulate. I noticed a big improvement when she went to O.T. in second grade, but there was a lot of ups and downs throughout elementary school. At 13 she seems dramatically desensitized to the sounds that used to trigger her flight/fight. She is on ADD meds. that have also dramatically helped with her focus and ability to regulate her energy, so she's not completely "toast" when she comes home from school and can just do her homework.
School is hard for her after much hard work and tears she is an honor roll student but I can say without doubt school is not something she enjoys at all. I think it's hard on kids whose first experience with school is so difficult to "like" it. That said, I have no doubt that when given a chance to specialize in what makes her happy she will be a productive adult. Unfortunately school can focus on the things that are hard for us. Stink in math? We'll give you More Math practice! But like all of us when we have the opportunity to avoid subjects we're not successful with we tend to gain more confidence with things we are good at. There are alot of adults with SPD who lead very happy, normal lives I really think SPD runs in families to some degree or another.
Apr 07, 2010 Rating
JUST A LITTLE MORE ON THISNEW by: Anonymous
SPD UNTREATED LEAVES YOU IN COMBAT MODE,TRYING TO FORCE THINGS ON A CHILD LIKE SOCKS SHOES UNDERWEAR,UNDERSTANDING SPD IS GOING TO BE YOUR BEST BET,OT IS GOING TO BE ANOTHER,EVEN IF YOU HAVE NO INSURANCE YOU TUBE OT THERAPY. ALSO STAND UP FOR YOUR CHILD AND ADVOCATE EVEN IF THE WHOLE WORLD SAYS JUST MAKE THAT KID MIND,ITS WAY MORE THEN THAT..
IT IS MY PERSONAL BELIEF IT IS LIKE A ABUSE TO NOT SEEK UNDERSTANDING ,I DID NOT ,ALSO YOUR CHILD MAY END UP WITH CO MORBID DISORDERS,MAYBE IM NOT A EXPERT PLEASE REMEMBER!!!!ANXIETY DEPRESSION ECT EVEN POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER,IMAGINE NOT TEACHING SKILLS LIKE ADDING A RADIO TO PRE OCCUPY THEIR MIND WHILE THEY SHOWER,ALL THEY FEEL IS WATER BITING THEIR SKIN,IMAGINE FORCING YOUR CHILD TO BRUSH THEIR TEETH BECAUSE THE DENTIST TELLS YOU TO WITH OUT THE SKILLS TO TEACH THEM ACCEPTANCE OF THE FEELING. FORCE IS NOT A WORD THAT SHOULD BE USED WITH SPD,SEEKING UNDERSTANDING AND WORKING ON OTHER WAYS OF ACCEPTANCES, WASHING HAIR A BIG ONE,BUT TEACH THEM WAYS BECAUSE THEY WILL LOOSE SELF ESTEEM. DONT FIGHT SPD UNDERSTAND IT OR YOU WILL END UP WITH PARENT CHILD RELATIONAL PROBLEMS,I AM NOT YELLING I JUST LIKE CAPITALS,SORRY
BEST OF LUCK YOUR GONNA BE JUST FINE AND SO WILL YOUR CHILD IF YOU KEEP SEEKING AND TEACH THEM THINGS THAT THEY CAN DO SO AS TO KEEP THEIR SELF ESTEEM UP,I CANT CAN BE LOOK I CAN..THANKS REMEMBER JUST A FRUSTRATED MOM WHO DID NOT UNDERSTAND THE REALITY OF SPD...EACH CHILD IS DIFFERENT,,ALWAYS REMEMBER,ADVOCATE IS HARD ,BUT JOIN OTHERS
Apr 07, 2010 Rating
in my opinion worse if untreatedNEW by: Anonymous
you need coping skills and ot and lots of time to watch them tick,mom of a 14 year old with mild to moderate spd
