Hi Renee,

I just wanted to say Welcome. I also have a 13 year old, (boy) who has SPD, severe tactile defensiveness. What you describe with you daughters clothing issues sure sounds like what we have dealt with, and it is SPD. My son is currently in OT, as well as seeing a teen therapist who does talk therapy, so it is possible to get treatment for older children. I fully understand your tears, I have cried many for my son and fears about his future and how he will manage in this world. Follow your gut instinct, and keep looking for a health professional who is familiar with SPD, not everyone is familiar with this. I've taken my son to Developmental Pediatricians and regular Pediatricians, and also a Naturopathic doctor who specializes in children. Keep looking, keep googling, keep asking around. You should be able to find someone who knows in a large metro area like Washington DC. The insurance can be a pain the butt, what I have learned is that the service providers have to get savvy with how they code the treatments or evaluations in order to get them covered, since SPD is not included as a separate diagnosis in the DSM manual. I think we had it coded under "neurological" something or other.

I wish you all the best in finding help for your daughter