SPD Support Forum

Hi all,
I'm Bernadette yes it's my real name that's ok . I live in Tasmania, Australia. I have 2 children aged 23 and 21, and have just celebrated my 25th Wedding Anniversary.
I have several interests in the Sensory Processing area.
Firstly my daughter who is 21, has had lifelong sensory processing difficulties, that were enough to have me wondering by the time she was 4 whether she had Autism. But, when I discussed it with others, for example my son's teacher, they all said 'no, she's too verbal to be autistic' Now I know that what she was experiencing was sensory issues, and she doesn't have the social deficits that define Autism. We never got a SPD diagnosis, I have only found out about SPD in the last 5 years or so, through my work associations. I wouldn't go as far as to say that she has a 'disorder' as it's never come to a point where the sensory issues have completely over-ridden her ability and capacity to participate and enjoy life.

But I now know that I have quite a few sensory defensive issues myself, and my husband (no surprise) is probably a sensory seeker to some degree.

That's what's hard about SPD - its all about degree.
My other interest in SPD - I mentioned I learned about it through work. I have 18 years experience in disability support, case management and currently do intake in a large NGO that provides government Disability referrals, support and case management. So SPD as it applies to diagnoses such as Autism Spectrum disorders and other intellectual and learning disabilities, also interest me greatly.

I don't need help now, although I wish someone who knew had been able to help me, when we had difficulty with - hair brushing/washing, eating with cutlery, the sound of paper tearing, riding a bike, oh so many things I can't remember I am happy to help others who are starting this journey and confused.

Bernadette.

Hi! Welcome! So nice to have another member who is very knowledgable!

It is all about degree! I completely agree and understand!

I run into people all the time with mild to moderate sensory problems. Because I have learned to manage most of my sensory problems (mine are mostly severe), I help random strangers regularly figure out how to deal with their sensory issues.

I don't know if the reason I run into so many people with sensory issues is that I run in multiple "nerdy circles". Most of the nerds I know and have met are sensory avoiders. Studying just gave a lot of them the excuse to stay away from large groups of people on a regular basis.

I have run into adult sensory seekers, although not as often. One was so hyposensitive that he never noticed when he broke bones or displaced his shoulder right away. It was really only until the injuries healed poorly and the number of injuries piled up that he realized that he had a problem.

Thank you Lynn and Beck
Adult sensory seekers - you probably see them all the time - please, some of this is tongue in cheek because I live with it
chew gum/pen tops/fingernails
channel surf the TV constantly and have the ipod on shuffle
can't tell if food bits are on face
want to move/rearrange the furniture all the time
can't sit still, gets bored easily
like the carnival and theme park rides
get tired while driving or doing other sedentary stuff (unless driving fast car/exciting road)
fidgets/flicks/plays with anything in reach on their desk or table
likes the multi-cultural buffet, doesn't mind having curry and rice with pasta with roast and whack some fried chicken on the plate too
and yes don't notice injuries - 15 years ago my husband had a broken wrist for 4 days before he finally went to the hospital after much insistence from me!!

Quote:Most of the nerds I know and have met are sensory avoiders

that makes a lot of sense too!

I think as children grow and mature they do find ways to manage sensory defensiveness - they either avoid, learn to tolerate, or modify their environment, and independence helps a lot. But it never completely goes away. I remember my mother calling me 'soft' and other criticisms, cutting my hair very short because I hated having it brushed - so as when some people met my 2 brothers and I they asked her 'are all 3 boys yours?' - I know now that I'm an avoider too.

Bernadette.

I am both a seeker and avoider. It depends on the sense.

Also because of the weirdness of another medical condition I flip back and forth on my touch sense as a seeker and avoider. I am usually an avoider for touch, but when I paralyzed and floppy I become a seeker. When I am dealing with a paralysis attack often I can't feel my limbs or face at all, especially my left side just disappears. If I am strong enough to still walk a little, I am likely to injure myself without any clue that I did so. The rest of the time though the slightest touch of anything causes excruciating pain and I become overwhelmed by the pain.