Hello!

My name is Jaimie. I am a 23 year old special education teacher taking time off to work on my master's.

Since SPD doesn't rule my life: I love to horseback ride, read, listen to music, hang out at Starbucks, learn sign language and am starting to get more involved with the Jewish community.

SPD and Me (Warning: LONG)

I've had sensory problems my whole life (just ask my mom!), but neither of us knew what is was. The spd stuff just got added in with all of my other quirks (I was kind of a tough kid). I self-diagnosed and then went to an OT 2 years ago. When I mentioned all this to my mom, she did some reading and immediately recognized all of this in "little me". I wish SPD had been well known when I was growing up. I also think this has helped with my teaching because I understand my kids, heck I'm a bit like them!

***immediate help***
I'm struggling with my SPD right now and I'm really hoping you all have some suggestions.'

I have always had tactile issues but lately they have gotten a lot worse.
Things that bother me: flat paint (I can't touch the walls unless it's the glossy stuff...), pencils (can't write with them, can't stand hearing others write with them, made standardized tests fun!), emery boards,
rough textures, dry/dusty things, certain types of wood, types of paper).
This list used to be smaller, but lately it really has grown. I struggle to eat baked potatoes because I can't stand how the skin feels and l have always LOVED baked potatoes).

- Papers handed out in school are becoming a problem. Not
only just handling the paper, but also when I write because the paper
rubbing under my hand just feels awful
- Reading books is even becoming uncomfortable and reading is one of my favorite things to do.
- When my hands are dry...I can't stand the feeling of my own hands and it's hard to avoid...ummmm touching your own hands. I don't always
remember my lotion and I can only tolerate certain lotions (if it's too greasy,
it would be better to just not have used the lotion). I hate how my hands
feel after I wash my hands.

So obviously, a lot of my issues are tactile. There are also the auditory and visual things as well. I'm definitely a sensory seeker (love me some deep pressure and swinging!) and an avoider (obviously). I enjoy social "stuff" and meeting new people, but can get overstimulated in large crowds

Normally, I would think stress would be making things worse. I moved to the
city, started grad school...but, I've been happier over the last month
than I was all of last year. My diet/exercise have vastly improved, I've
lost weight. I really don't know what to do. It's gotten to the point that
I'm not only uncomfortable touching things, but even thinking about them
makes my stomach clench and I feel sick.

I would like to get back in to see an OT, but it is hard to find an OT who
understands sensory problems and will work with adults. I've called a few
therapists off of the database, but haven't had any luck so far. I am in the
Baltimore area, does anyone know of any OT's in that area?

Whew, that was long!

I look forward to meeting all of you,

Jaimie