Yes, sounds like your little guy has SPD! I've read many Aussie mums who are frustrated because it isn't recognized as being real yet in Australia.

Your son sounds a lot like my older son. Since he was my first, I didn't really know what was normal. Both the doctor and myself dismissed things as being partly because he's a boy, partly because kids develop at different rates, partly because he was born at 36 weeks. So I understand that part! My son hit every one of his milestones late (late to crawl, late to walk, late to talk). Horrible sleeper for first 8 years. "Clumsy." For us, it was his Kindergarten teacher to had concerns which led to SPD diagnosis.

Both of my SPD boys learned to ride a bike between 7-8 years old. Late for neuro-typical kids, but early for many SPD kids. I know other SPDers who hadn't mastered it until 10 or so. Both of mine had scooters (the Razor brand kind of scooter, not sure if you have them in Australia) and learned to balance on those before tackling bicycles. Since the scooters are very low to the ground, there was less fear about falling and they still had one foot to stabilize themselves.

Good luck at your OT appointment! Let us know how it goes! I hope you feel comfortable to jump in with any questions or if you just want to vent.

But thank goodness for Prof Granet! Welcome!

p.s. Hubby and I love Australia! Been there 3 times: honeymoon in '97, Olympics in '00, and then last year March '10.