Hello to all the sensational parents, professionals and SPD sufferers. I am a mother to a 4year 3month old son. We are from Australia. He is affectionately called my little bubblegum cheeks and he is very bright, has a fabulous sense of humour and gives the best hugs. He pulls at my heart strings, I wish he did not have to struggle so much. He tries so very very hard. His is a very sweet kid with a heart of gold.
For as long as I can remember there have been "issues". The labour was very long, then he could not self settle and we were in baby sleep school by 4 and a half months. He is a fussy eater. He becomes easily frustrated (now I know why bless), he was a little late to walk - 13months and was always very active.He never liked swings and avoided certain areas of play. He was (and still is) extremely clumsy. I had spoken to numerous people before reaching where I am today - I was never validated. One of the "red alerts" in his baby health book (ie)still mouthing everything was dismissed along with others at his 2 year check. I was met with constant: kids just develop differently, he will grow out of his quirks. At 4 his hand eye co-ordination is poor and riding a bike - well we are not there YET. Swimming lessons invoked anxiety in him even though he LOVES water and seeks it out.He can't swim YET. If it was a very confusing picture for me as his Mummy and i was driven to the point of distraction - imagine the confusion and hurt for my darling bubblegum cheeks! YOU DO I am so glad i have found you all and am eagerly awaiting a OT appointment on the 11/11 to confirm what I know - my son has SPD. Thats how sure I am , you just know!!! My darling had a vision test and it was noted he had tracking and focusing issues,shifting attention, his visual development is behind what he is expected for his age etc .... thats how i got onto this SPD ... actually by an article by Prof Granet in San Diego, an eye surgeon. Bizarre! So here begins our journey ... One of hope, I am sure tears, advocacy and passion to help my darling be the very best little soul he can. Hugs to all

Your little Bubblegum cheeks sounds very special indeed

There are a lot of great people here... I hope all goes well for you

Welcome!!! I think the experience of having professionals dismiss you is a pretty common one unfortunately, good for you for preservering!

(10-04-2011, 08:13 PM)Valkyrie Wrote: Your little Bubblegum cheeks sounds very special indeed

There are a lot of great people here... I hope all goes well for you

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(10-04-2011, 08:13 PM)Valkyrie Wrote: Your little Bubblegum cheeks sounds very special indeed

There are a lot of great people here... I hope all goes well for you

Thankyou so very much for responding it means so very much to me "us" right now. Very kind of you. I hope your "progress" is happening for you. Thankyou so very much again!

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(10-04-2011, 09:52 PM)AngelaVA Wrote: Welcome!!! I think the experience of having professionals dismiss you is a pretty common one unfortunately, good for you for preservering!

Thankyou Angela, as above someone even responding has helped sooth my soul a little when all its been till now is "not being heard". THANKS!

Send my best wishes to your bubblegum cheeks

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.

Hi Lyn,
Thanks for the lovely welcome. Wow thats brilliant that your sons learnt to ride a bike so early considering all thats going on with the little darlings! I do have a scooter for the little man and he does like it. Think I will just keep him going on that for a while and wait until he gains a bit more body awareness before we have another go with the bike riding. I am just grateful that it didn't go on any longer without the help he so desperately needs bless.
Nice to hear hubby and self love Australia! We live in a great part of it/near Coolangatta/Gold Coast and fortunately have child O.T services within a manageable drive. Actually one of the O.T there is the co founder of SPD Australia - Yay :-)
Have a great day (or night :-) )

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(10-06-2011, 10:44 AM)iamconniev Wrote: Send my best wishes to your bubblegum cheeks