Hi, I'm mother of 2yo twin boys, one of whom has behaviors that seem to suggest SPD, at least his occupational therapist asked me to read "The Out of Sync Child." He does not have a formal SPD diagnosis, and as I mentioned in another post, I'm unsure whether it's productive to seek one given that schools don't seem very open to granting IEPs for them.

But Bobby's behaviors can be quite disruptive in our home. As I posted in my first thread, I'm having problems with him wanting to fondle my hair constantly, pulling it and hurting me. He also slams into me and his father, goes on almost manic jags, and screams a lot. He is having sleep issues, too.

I was skeptical when the OT asked me to read "The Out of Sync Child," and I admit, I still am. SPD sure has a diagnosis du jour feel to it, but I'm even more scared by learning that some child development experts think it's not a separate disorder, just behaviors that accompany other disorders. If Bobby doesn't have SPD, is he on the autism spectrum?

So, I'm feeling somewhat confused and worried right now. Bobby is a sweet, clever little boy who helps me when he can and is kind to others. But he can also be a completely different child, one who hits his brother and me, tries to scale every barrier we erect to areas that aren't child safe, and has trouble self-comforting.

Bobby is intrigued by mechanical things, and he loves helping my husband when he's working in the yard or making repairs. He is funny, with a precocious sense of humor.

Since the twins' birth, I haven't been able to do much of anything but take care of them, but I used to dance on a Northwest clog morris team, and I like reading, recumbent cycling, vegetable gardening, and cooking. All those things feel like fond memories now, but I'm hoping that as the kids are able to participate more with us, I can get back to them.

Maggie