So, can anyone help me explain to my doctor what I would get from OT, especially as an adult. She's not used to sending people to OT for sensory related issues, and has said she'd be willing to put the request for it to be covered by my insurance in, but that she'd need more information about what it would be doing for me.

So, I've been trying to figure this out for a while so I can try OT, but I've been really stuck, and not knowing exactly what to say has been making me not say anything to her. Any advice?

(If it helps to know, I'm Asperger's/SPD (not diagnosed)/migraines from overstimulation, hypersensitive all senses, avoiding - smell, hearing, sometimes sight, seeking - taste, deep touch, sometimes avoid sometimes seek light touch (but never as much as deep touch))

The OT must be experienced in treating people with SPD. When you call the OT to make the appointment make sure they know how to treat it before you waste your time and money on them.

What you get from the appointment:
1) Verification whether you have SPD or not. If you don't already have a diagnosis.
2) Training on how to use the Wilbarger Brush Technique. Usually the OT provides your brush.
a) They will explain how often you need to use the brush and for what reasons.
b) This does require proper training and shouldn't be done just based on an internet video.
c) Once you are trained it is easy to do it on your own whenever you need it.
3) Training on how to do the Cranial stuff that I can't seem to remember the name of.
a) If it helps you, it may require more than one appointment to properly learn.
4) A discussion on other equipment and techniques that might help someone with your specific sensory issues.

At a hospital within a few miles of me, there is a group that focuses specifically on sensory integration in children. I don't know if they also work on adults, but the same hospital has a sensory room for their psych ward, so I assume they have something for adults with SPD, when they have gone that far already.


I'm not sure whether they'd want to actually diagnose me with SPD. People rather keep telling me that my SPD traits are part of me being autistic rather than comorbid to that. Either way, because of being autistic and sensory issues being related to autism, my insurance should at least cover OT if I can explain to my doctor how it'd help me.

The brush technique is something I feel like I should learn, but also something I'm terrified of learning (I'm someone who feels her clothing all day, and don't stop twitching if I walk through long grass because I continue to feel it on my skin). At least I already know that joint compressions help me.

Mostly what I need is help explaining to my doctor why OT could help someone like me. If I find the OT, she'll put the paperwork in to make my insurance cover it, but she needs me to explain to her why it'd help to do that, and if insurance doesn't cover it, then I can't go.

The brush technique will keep you from feeling your clothing for several hours unless you concentrate. It is also great when your skin feels like it has worms crawling under it. It kept me from scratching myself bloody as much.

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There is so much more you can do with life when clothing doesn't constantly tick you off.

Does anyone know of an OT in the Los Angeles area who works with SPD adults? It seems everything is focused on children, very frustrating.

Heres a thought...

Sensory issues are related to aspergers. The doctor knows this. The OT would help you find coping skills to apply to your overactive senses. SPD or not, it would still provide help to get you to control your senses. Not only that, but it can help you develops coping skills with other things not sensory related.

Please if anyone is going to the Boston SPD Conference this weekend (http://spdfoundation.net/boston2012/) could you pass along info on OT's who work with adults?

I found an OT!

Today I got a semi-official diagnosis of SPD. Now I won't have to feel bad referring to myself as such to other people (not that it was really hard to tell, but professional verification helps still.)

She agrees with me that there's no way that I'm not hypersensitive/seeking/sensory based motor disorder. We still need to identify details for me, but that much you can get immediately from me.

Yea Tuttleturtle, am glad you have found someone who can now help you. You help others with your replies.
Good luck, and keep us posted.

Jaffa