As I see mostly people with younger children here I was wondering if anyone here has older kids say 8+ and how are they doing? A followup per say, let us know what your struggles are, how have your kids progressed, are their symptoms better, are they worse and what strategies have worked for you thus far.
Zel
I suspect the diagnosis rates of SPD have increased recently, leading to more young people diagnosed with the disorder than older. (Even very young compared to older children.)
Personally, I'm an adult with SPD.
I have a 10 yr old son diagnosed with SPD at 18 months. He went through OT for years and they finally said he doesn't need it anymore. I wasn't aware that SPD goes away and one wouldn't need it, but apparently that's how it is. He is a seeker of everything. He loves roller coasters, bungie jumping (oh my) and anything that will give him a thrill. He especially loves Horror films, but I keep it to PG13. He shakes when he is excited, literally shakes. He's very aggressive with kids and gets in everyone's space. He gets in trouble at school a lot because he's impulsive and can't stop touching everyone and everything. He already likes girls since he's 10, and he can't help but touch their hair. He touched mine since he was a baby as it soothed him. It's very tough to be a pre teen with SDP and not appear to be "weird" by his classmates. He's struggling with it and I am thinking about putting him in private therapy so he can express his feelings to someone who can understand him better. I too have SPD, so I try my very best to listen, understand, etc....but I am "Mom" and just not very cool in his eyes. Anyway, it was easier as a baby and more "accepted". OT helped with his fine motor skills and his tip toe walking. Speech (still going) helps with his words and expressions. His behavior is worse now than ever, but I am sure that's typical with his age, so hard to say what is causing it, really.
We live day by day and I pray and hope for the best for him. I had SPD all my life and JUST figured it out after 39 years....and I am functioning ok out there. I have a great job, successful career and schooling. I am positive by nature and a perfectionist. I also learned to have melt downs in private. My son is trying to learn that same skill. Since I am an avoider, I don't understand everything he goes through, but I can understand the embarrassment and melt downs. I can understand feeling out of place and weird and NOT like everyone else.
Hi! My name is Emily and I am 21 and have SPD! I made a blog called
http://www.21andsensory.wordpress.com which you might find helpful - i share my experiences and tips on there to do with SPD. Feel free to email me (about section on my blog) and we can talk if you like Smile
My son is 9 and recently diagnosed with SPD (though we always knew he had some sensory/tactile issues his anxiety has gone through the roof this year). We are learning more every day, but the change from 3rd to 4th grade has been a HUGE anxiety and symptoms boost. I kind of feel like we're starting from scratch on all of it.
My son is 13 and his very tactile defensive. Shoes, clothes, blankets, car seats, dust, dirt....all a big problem. We have done OT and some Naturopathic treatments about 4 years ago, but did not see much positive effects. I'm willing to try anything at this point. Going back to the doctors on Monday.
It has been my experience that kids do not grow out of this, no matter what your family tells etc.... Maybe adults find ways to deal with it in a calmer manner.
The spd is now mixing with all the fun emotional stuff from puberty and it is affecting my sons mental well being.
If anyone has any ideas I'm all ears.........
My 6 year old is SPD, same story as "Annalost" above. We homeschool now, problems in class (can't stop moving) and very socially awkward so this works for us for now. It makes me worried about the future thought, future education, future socially, a career, etc.