How do I know my child only has SPD and not autism also? I know technically his diagnosis terminology doesn't matter but I feel he may need more therapy or variations in the therapy he now receives if he is under diagnosed?
I HOPE MY STORY HELPS ...I HAVE A SON, IAN, WHO IS ALMOST 3. HE CRIED FROM THE TIME HE WAS BORN UNTIL ABOUT 1. I JUST THOUGHT IT WAS BECAUSE I WAS A FIRST TIME MOM, AFTER BEING MARRIED FOR 18 YRS,PUSHING 40 , AND HAVING MISCARRIED 4 , I WAS NERVOUS AND HE KNEW THAT. (THATS WHAT I THOUGHT) HE HAD ACID REFLUX,WENT ON PREVACID AT 2 MTHS, AND UP UNTIL THEN DIDNT SLEEP OVER 30 MINS. AT A TIME , WITH ME HOLDING HIM. AS SOON AS I LEANED OVER TO LAY HIM DOWN,HE WAS WIDE AWAKE AND CRYING. SOCIALLY , WELL, THERE WAS NO SOCIALLY...BECAUSE OF THE ACID REFLUX AND CRYING.EVERYONE ELSE THOUGHT IT WAS BECAUSE I WAS NERVOUS ALSO..I COULD TELL, AND SOME WOULD TELL ME! AFTER PUTTING HIM ON HIS STOMACH TO SLEEP AND HIM HOLDING MY FINGER AT ALL TIME , HE WOULD SLEEP IN A FULL SIZE BED WITH ME , AND ONLY ME! IT BECAME EASIER , OR I BECAME TRAINED, AND HE HIT ALL MILESTONES ON TIME. HE IS VERY SMART, BUT AT THE AGE OF ABOUT 18MTHS, HIS SPEECH DEV. SLOWED TO TURTLE PACE. HE WOULD SCREAM WHEN HE WAS ASKED TO REPEAT A NEW WORD. HE WOULD GO DAYS W/OUT SAYING A WORD.
SO, I WENT FOR 2YR CHECKUP, THEY ORDERED SPEECH EVAL. THEY STARTED PLAY THERAPY BECAUSE OF HIS ANXIETY WITH STRANGERS, ESP. WOMEN!! LOVES ALL MEN, EVEN STRANGERS! SHORTLY AFTER STARTING THERAPY, SHE MENTIONED TO ME SOME OF IANS "QUIRKS" I CALLED THEM. RUBBING MY FINGER TIPS,STACKS OF BLANKETS ON HIM TO SLEEP...HE WILL NOT RIDE IN ANY CAR BESIDES MINE AND MY HUSBANDS. PEOPLE SAY, MAKE HIM!! DONT MATTER IF U RIDE 5 MINS OR 2HRS , HE CRIES LIKE HES TERRIFIED UNTIL U GET HIM OUT. SNEEZES, COUGHS, DOG BARKS UNEXPECTEDLY , IS TERROR! HE HAS HAD 3 EVALS. FROM 3 HIGHLY RENOWNED DRS AT BRENNERS CHILDRENS HOSP. IN N.C. I HAVE HAD 4 DIAGNOSES GIVEN TO ME AND THE LAST ONE , WELL SHES BEEN DOING THIS 30 YRS AND THIS IS WHAT SHE SAID..I DONT KNOW WHAT TO TELL U, AND IT COULD BE AS MANY AS 5 THINGS...SPD, AUT,ETC,ETC...BUT CALL ME IN 2 YRS AND LET ME KNOW HOW HE TURNS OUT. HE HAS THERAPY 3 TIMES A WK AND NOONE HAS EVER KEPT HIM BUT ME AND DAD...HE IS EXCEPTIONALLY INTELLIGENT, 5YR OLD LEVEL, AND ONE OF HIS THER. SAID"WE TREAT THE CHILD, NOT THE DIAGNOSES" WOW, STEP BACK AND TAKE A DEEP BREATH..IT GETS BETTER AND EASIER.HE IS TALKING MUCH MORE NOW AND IS STARTING TO SOCIALIZE MORE...MY HUSBAND SAYS" IAN IS IAN" AND HE IS RITE, WE LOVE HIM JUST LIKE HE IS AND NOW TRY TO LAUGH INSTEAD OF CRY..WE EVEN HAVE IAN LAUGHING AT HIMSELF!! THEY DO LEARN TO COPE IN THEIR OWN WAYS AFTER THEY UNDERSTAND WHAT IT IS UPSETTING THEM!! REALLY HOPE THIS HELPS.
Dec 06, 2010 Rating
Offering a different perspectiveNEW by: Colleen Devlin
Hi! I just had my 4 year old son evaluated by the University of Iowa's Development and Disabilities Clinic. He was seen by: a Doctor in Psychiatry, a Medical Doctor (MD) who specializes in sleep issues and disabilities, a speech therapist, a PT and an OT. (All day testing...very exhausting.)
My son has sensitivity to noise, transition issues, picky eater, gets up and runs around when he is supposed to stay seated, fine motor skill delay, loves to wrestle and play rough, but needs his space and quiet time to make himself feel right.
So, pretty much everything the prior party said would diagnose him as on the autism spectrum. Connor left with a single diagnosis of SPD. We specifically discussed Autism. The Doctor's said what cues that Connor gave them that he was not autistic was his verbal interactions. He asked them for help during the testing. He made eye contact. He was naturally curious about what they were doing. He showed empathy when they explained their feelings.
I did research and found a University Hospital (University of Chicago, U of Iowa) or reputable clinic (Mayo, Vanderbilt) near us that diagnosed our son. It was worth the time and expense just so you know what you are dealing with and how to treat him.
Nov 22, 2010 Rating
for AnonymusNEW by: Anonymous
I think that treatments differ depending on the areas where there are noise, then to be treated. But I think it necessary to ask a specialist in neuropsychiatry of childhood which may suggest the type of treatment appropriate to you.
Nov 21, 2010 Rating
THANKSNEW by: Anonymous
That's the hard part - he has 'some' of the symptoms you mentioned, especially a hard time with transitions (though it's much better than it used to be)!! He used to have trouble with sleep too but we've done brushing and weight therapy and his sleep has been good for almost a year (he's four yr). He does NOT have any problems with food (textures, pickyness, etc.)or phobias. Does anyone know how or if therapies differ between SPD and autism?
Nov 21, 2010 Rating
SPD or AUTISMNEW by: Anonymous
Generally, children with autism spectrum disorders in addition to sensory disabilities also have problems with the school. with sleep, with food, various phobias. Difficulty with transitions crisis anger etc.
