Previously Well Child with SPD Symptoms

by Melissa
(Florida)

Last spring, my 11 year old son began suffering from severe migraines and vertigo. He then had a severe side effect from prophylactic medicine for the migraines/vertigo that set him down a path of panic attacks and anxiety. It has been rough. I am starting to wonder if he is suffering from some sensory dysfunction issues since this past March-May. While the migraines and vertigo have subsided, he is still on the road to recovery with anxiety. These are the new issues we are seeing in our son that seem to all be sensory related:

He used to love long showers, now complains that the shower is very painful to his skin (now resists showers and is very quick).

Not that he was ever the toughest kid, but he now seems overly sensitive to pain. Any bump/bruise/scratch/injury becomes a major issue. This is hindering his ability to return to sports and even participate in PE.

Once a very snuggly child, he now visibly cringes/shakes if you give him a pat on the back or a hug.

He now has problems regulating his temperature (shivering cold or beyond miserable in the heat).

Is now sensitive to bright light, especially stage type lights (also a headache trigger).

He is also sensitive to sounds (i.e. loud talking, the swooshing sound that I made when straightening the silk draperies, etc.).

He is having difficulty with fine motor skills, especially his hand writing, as well as gross motor, especially balance.

I have seen all of these items on SPD checklists. Does this sound like SPD to your or just signs of an anxious child? We do not want to put him through any testing/therapy unless we feel strongly that it will help him. Is it possible that our son's medical issues (many of which were neurological) triggered SPD? Any thoughts on how to make him feel better or desensitize his reactions to stimuli?

From what I have read, anxiety and giftedness are 2 traits that predispose our son to SPD. Thanks in advance!