SPD Support Forum

Well...here goes. ^^;

I recently emailed an OT that was recommended to me by Dan. We've exchanged a few emails, discussing my symptoms and what kinds of things I can do to build a "sensory diet" for myself. She recommended me to get an official evaluation and then get the treatments afterwards.

On top of not knowing about what insurance I might have (because my mom can't explain anything for me worth crap), not knowing how to get my own insurance that would cover SPD and OT and stuff, and other general worries I have, I'm kind of a mess here. ^^;

I don't know where to start looking for insurance-help. I'm in central florida, and i'm 19. I don't have a GP that I know/know of, and if I do I obviously don't know her well enough to go to her for help. I never really 'knew' my pediatrician before i was 18, so that doesn't help much either.


I know I have motor issues that could be a sign to dyspraxia. I know for sure that I have dysgraphia, just I've never been evaluated or seen an OT before so I've never had an official diagnosis. Same goes for a speech problem that's only gotten worse as time goes on. I've never gotten any assistance in school for any of these problems either, so I just struggled all the way.

Now that I'm in college, I'm trying to get these looked at and treated so I can succeed and go far like I want to, without these disabilities getting in the way as much as they are now. I'm not looking for perfection, simply improvement.

As it is though, I'm afraid to get an evaluation. I'm 19, no job, in college, living under mom's roof. Mom does not know about this because she dismisses just about anything I try to bring up regarding my problems. I'm on my own.

I'm afraid because I don't know what to expect. What is the actual evaluation like? What do they look for, or ask about? Do they test you with anything? I can't find information about adults being diagnosed with SPD, only children, and it's different for adults I'd think.

What is actual OT like? What kinds of activities are used to help, and how do they help? I'm sure it varies per person, but any information would be nice.

I do plan on bringing some of this up with the OT I mentioned in the beginning, but she's been busy so emails are spread out a bit right now. ^^;

Sorry for the wall of text... This is my mind going haywire at its best.

Due to the health care bill that was passed this year, you are covered on your Mom's insurance until you are 26 years old.

Ask your Mom if you can see her Insurance card, then write down the website, contact information for the company, the member ID, and group number. Then contact the insurance company to find out if they cover Occupational Therapy treatments and if there is any co-pays or deductables for you.

Oh that's awesome news to know. o.o I wasn't sure if I was covered under her insurance since I turned 19, but that's awesome.

I'll have to get the card from her sometime. Can I ask what a co-pay and deductable is though? ^^; I'm guessing co-pay is kind of like a share cost thing, where you pay a certain amount and they pay the rest... But is a deductable like a discount? *confused*

Deductible is how much you have to pay out of pocket before insurance kicks in on bigger things. Often, visits are not something you have to worry about with deductible, but procedures like tests (blood tests, ultrasounds, that sort of thing) or hospital visits often require them. I'd check the co-pay with the company; your mom is not likely to know if the OT is covered as a standard doc or a specialist, and even if she did, she'd probably not know if the specialist requires a different co-pay or not. I know my insurance did.

As for the visit itself, the evaluation (for me) included a longish questionnaire and a few exercises that included keeping my eyes closed while doing different tasks. That's how I found out that I don't know what my body position is unless I see it. I had no idea that I depended on my vision so much. And you're likely to find out some interesting things, as well. I imagine that most OT's have their own variations and may do more physical tests, but I never felt unsafe while I was doing it. Since the OT was forwarned, she did a really good job of keeping me from the middle of the hustle and bustle (I'm very sound defensive, so the noise drives me crazy).

Let us know what happens!