Does my 5 year old have SPD?

My husband and I feel that there is something different about our 5 year old. He has low muscle tone, but not too bad. He started walking at 13 months, which is within the range of 1st walkers, but he continues to have a heavy gait.




He's an anxious child. When most children are hopping out of the car, he gets out as if he was 90 years old. He goes down the stairs only using one foot. We got him in football to get him involved in physical activity. When most children will jump at the chance of tackling a teammate, our son wants no part of it. When he has to run laps, he barely jogs around. It's like his body is too heavy for him.

He also has attentional problem, but not too bad. We have to remind him to look us in the eye when we're speaking. He has to be told to do something numerous times. However, I think it's more because he doesn't want to do it because if it's something he wants to do or if I'm firm enough the first time, he'll do a task with no problem. He's in his own world most of the time. He always has a song in his head that he hums or sings out loud.

Lastly, he loves to touch everything...like he grabs the back of my arm while sucking his thumb. He'll go under my blanket just to hold my big toe. He's always touching his brother's knee even when his brother expresses for him not to. He hates the sound of the toilet flushing especially at night. He doesn't like ice cream because it's too cold. He doesn't like the tags in his shirts. He's a very picky eater, but he's getting better.

I guess that's it! So is he just different or is it SPD? Any insight will be greatly appreciated.



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Sep 08, 2010
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Same here
by: Anonymous

That sounds like my four yr old to a tee. He's in physical therapy for low muscle tone and oc therapy for fine motor skills. The funny thing is that until today, when I asked his therapist a question (hubby usually goes) nobody mentioned spd. The reason I brought it up was because he's strong enough to do everything but he is very hesitant. The therapist said it was spd and that he has a hard time figuring out where his body is in space. Yow would think after a couple of years of therapy this would have come up before.

Sep 06, 2010
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Without a doubt!
by: Anonymous

im not a Dr. just a mom
But he sounds just like my 6 yr. old son.
Who was diagnosed with spd and aspergers.
I can say for sure about the spd with your son!
Take him to an occupational therapist and get him evaluated right away.
It will help him so much.
And you!
Good luck with your little angel!
Kim

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