Hello EVERYONE,

I am new to this forum and I am a singe-parent. I am joining because my 13 year old daughter has been exhibiting signs of what may be SPD. When I brought up certain behaviors with the current Pediatrician, she looked at me as if she was clueless. I mentioned SPD and she knew nothing about it and told me that I should not read things on the internet because it has many things that are not true. She did provide me a number to a Behavioral Specialist. I have not yet called because I really wanted to find one that had some knowledge of SPD, especially for teens.


My daughter is exhibiting behaviors that may cause her friends and others to look at her strangely or even de-friend her.

BEFORE BIRTH – I would rub my belly and she would not respond like my other daughter. If she poked out a limb, I would rub it and she would pull it far into my stomach so that I could not touch her again, unlike how my other daughter did. If I wore a belt to my pants across my belly, she would literally bang at where the belt was located. When I removed the belt, she was fine (after the 6th month of pregnancy).

INFANCY - appeared to be very smart, sensitive to the sun when riding in the back seat of a car (she would cry), strong-willed, exhibited some strong anger-type emotions at times, born left-handed, seemed to exhibit much heat from her body.

TODDLER/PRE-SCHOOL - her "smarts" were noticed by other adults at the care facilities, did not truly talk until about 2 years old-she said gibberish as if she were speaking another language but she did understand what I was saying, still strong-willed, a bit hyper-did not like to sit still (I figured out how to deal with this), exhibited some strong anger-type behavior, very sensitive to sadness-like she understood the looks on the animals' faces from this humane society commercial with the song by Sarah McLaughlin and she would cry on a particular Sesame Street episode when one of the Muppets was rolled over by this large ball (she was less than two years old), very particular about who could hold her, wanted her way and would have a tantrum at the stores for candy (figured out how to handle this), played with other kids but was fine alone as well, ran alot at play time, fell down at times to a point where it seemed odd to me, left-handed but began to use right hand (ambidextrous), would squeeze donuts into small crumbs and not eat them, would rip paper into small pieces, picky eater.

CHILD-ELEM SCHOOL - her "smarts" were noticed by other adults at the care facilities, did not like clothes with tags, did not like dresses with that inside material that is like netting, did not like the thick socks with the lines, would sometimes talk to herself (not so often), more calmer disposition (not hyper), could sit still, still exhibited some angry moments, a few friends, introverted, right-handed, did not really like dresses, was bullied, a little too rough when handling pets, can’t eat hotly seasoned foods – no pepper, picky eater.

MIDDLE SCHOOL – certain questions she would ask teachers they felt were beyond her age or “how did she figure that out or come up with that”, did not like clothes that were tight-shrits that had arms too tight (style of clothing that was being made), did not like dresses much at all, did not like the socks with the lines (had to buy the thin ones with hardly no/thin line, can wear short socks in winter, more calmer disposition (not hyper), can sit still, still exhibited some angry moments (worked on this with our Christian beliefs so this is pretty much gone), a few friends, introverted, picky eater. strong sense of smell and would walk out of a place (that has lessened), sensitive about others but still somewhat empathetic or insensitive about other things, non-combative, was bullied but I met with staff and this ended with particular girl, can’t eat hotly seasoned foods, a little too rough when handling pets, hard to focus many times, loves Barbie movies and Disney movies and now Anime, can’t perform more than 1 / 2 tasks when given instructions, not so good with math, right-handed, gets distracted easily, daydreams a lot, talks to herself a little more, now paces when she seems bored or brain overstimulated (started around age 11/in public or at home), makes small noises when pacing, sits and smiles at inner thoughts sometimes, doesn’t like to give hugs, now seems to sit when riding in a car but then will move as if she is re-positioning herself, makes hand jesters at inner thoughts and recently seems to exhibit a slight shaking when sitting with inner thoughts.

Recently, we were at a cook-out and she went to walk away, then stopped in the middle of the field, and I could see that the daydreaming was kicking in because she was about to make her hand movements but I called for her to come over to me. It was like she was zoning everything out and going into the daydream world.

I would like to change our Pediatrician to one that may have other children with SPD, Autism, etc. I phoned a few OTs and they did not accept any Insurance. I have Aetna Open Access. The did mention about some patients had Blue Cross Blue Shield and filled out a Claim form for out-of-network doctors. I may switch my health insurance this season but will look more into this first. I would like to also see a Neurologist that sees teens. I have a list and will be calling this week try to locate a Behavioral Pediatrician, Neurologist and OT that is familiar with this. I don’t think I will tell them what I think she may have but see what they come up with.

I live in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. Do you know of any good doctors and OTs in this area that accept insurance?

I had been entertaining the thought of moving away to Atlanta (never lived there) or outside Los Angeles (lived there some years ago) but I am not sure now that my daughter is exhibiting more behavior issues. I am wondering if I need to remain in my area not far from family. Does anyone know of doctors in either of these areas.

Anyone with any suggestions, I would be glad to hear them. Also, hear your stories as well. If I talk to someone about my daughter’s issue, it brings tears to my eyes because I wonder about her future. And because I see what is going on with her, it is my duty to help her as a parent so that this does not turn to a real large problem.

Thanks for reading and listening.

-Renee
*Not sure how to receive responses.

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