Kia Ora from New Zealand.
My name is Sonja and I currently reside in NZ, although I am from Australia. My 10.5 yo son has just been diagnosed with SPD which we think is incredibly exciting....why? We (he and I) have worked for years to find out what was happening for him and after years of being turned away from ADD clinics, the last 8 months of a sustained punishment routine at his school and the loss of friends and allies, we have finally been told something which truly gets the picture of our life!! My son is the most incredible, amazing, gifted, intelligent, witty (and handsome) child who has already put up with so much. I also have a 7yo son with Aspergers and Dyspraxia who is probably any person with SPDs idea of a nightmare companion, so its not an easy situation at all and stress is high on our agenda!!! Not to mention the 8 yo daughter in the middle who swings between peacemaker and provoker for her brothers.

I am a 42 yo mum who works in national mental health in NZ (not that that helped us any!!) and am passionate about learnig issues for kids (or certainly becoming that way). This is a new road for us, but feels exciting and right! My son to be offered sensory re-intergration therapy (Whatever that is...LOL) with an OT and I know what brilliant work they did with my younger son, so looking forward to that.

Although I write with amazing calmness about these things, I have to say that as a single mum with two boys with quite real challenges I am desperate for any support. I have none (my family live in another country), and its a hard slog every day.

Well, that's my moan. Lovely to be here, Sonja

Sensory re-integration therapy is helping vestibular, proprioceptive, and tactile inputs; areas where many children with neurological issues have deficits. The approach seeks to encourage the nervous system to process and integrate sensory input in organized and meaningful ways, which will ultimately enhance the ability of the nervous system to function more adequately. Each adaptive response, as it provides feedback into the nervous system, encourages maturation and organization of the nervous system at increasingly higher levels. Ultimately the individual is able to interact with his/her environment in more successful and adaptive manners.

http://www.memorialhospital.org/sensoryi...#treatment

I knew the information but I'm half awake so I couldn't figure out how to word it. Hopefully this explains a bit though.

I can imagine how hard it must be with all 3 kids, glad you found this site though! We're a friendly bunch, and hopefully we can help you with some advice too :3

Feel free to ask questions.

Sonja wrote:

(11-10-2010, 05:09 AM)sgoldsack Wrote: Although I write with amazing calmness about these things, I have to say that as a single mum with two boys with quite real challenges I am desperate for any support. I have none (my family live in another country), and its a hard slog every day.

Hey Sonja... I'm in Sydney (not that far away!)... Mums specialise in the swan technique... all superficial calmness but my, those feet are paddling as hard as they can underneath!

Welcome!

Let us know how OT goes... we had great benefit from both the gross motor SIT but also auditory integration treament, really helped with alertness and attention. Every child with SPD is so different, you just have to work your way through. I hope your son's school days improve now. We almost went down the homeschooling route but ended up at a Steiner school where my son (now 12) is very happy.

BusyMum

(11-10-2010, 08:51 AM)BusyMum Wrote: Sonja wrote:
Hi busy mum, thanks for your kind words and nice to know someone else on this side of the world. And I loved your analogy about the swan - it was so me! The NZ schooling system is the strangest thing out and my son is a year 6 (Aussie grade 5) but has to choose to either stay at his primary school for two more years (he's not keen) or move to an 'intermediate' school for two years, then on to a high school. Weird eh? its hard to know what's right for him. The intermediates are great at focusing the energy and excitment of 11-13year olds into lots of new areas of learning and fun stuff, but we aren't zoned for one and would take a miracle to get him in. Would also require him travelling a wee way on his own and he's not an overly confident kid (but therefore might be good for him).
Can you tell me what it was about the Steiner that worked for your son? We have one here, but nearly 40 mins away. We have the option also of a Montessori which is nearby, but again means staying at a primary till year 8.

Sonja

(11-10-2010, 05:09 AM)sgoldsack Wrote: Although I write with amazing calmness about these things, I have to say that as a single mum with two boys with quite real challenges I am desperate for any support. I have none (my family live in another country), and its a hard slog every day.

Hey Sonja... I'm in Sydney (not that far away!)... Mums specialise in the swan technique... all superficial calmness but my, those feet are paddling as hard as they can underneath!

Welcome!

Let us know how OT goes... we had great benefit from both the gross motor SIT but also auditory integration treament, really helped with alertness and attention. Every child with SPD is so different, you just have to work your way through. I hope your son's school days improve now. We almost went down the homeschooling route but ended up at a Steiner school where my son (now 12) is very happy.

BusyMum

---

Hi Sila, Thanks for your warm welcome. Am feeling a wee bit out of my depth so far but am sure this will all become second nature to me and my son soon. Thanks for the info link. I am amazed at the people who already have said that they know what this is. Lets hope my son's school is just as cooperative, but I doubt it somehow.

Will be sure to post more questions as I have them,
thanks again, Sonja

(11-10-2010, 08:16 AM)Sila Wrote: Sensory re-integration therapy is helping vestibular, proprioceptive, and tactile inputs; areas where many children with neurological issues have deficits. The approach seeks to encourage the nervous system to process and integrate sensory input in organized and meaningful ways, which will ultimately enhance the ability of the nervous system to function more adequately. Each adaptive response, as it provides feedback into the nervous system, encourages maturation and organization of the nervous system at increasingly higher levels. Ultimately the individual is able to interact with his/her environment in more successful and adaptive manners.

http://www.memorialhospital.org/sensoryi...#treatment

I knew the information but I'm half awake so I couldn't figure out how to word it. Hopefully this explains a bit though.

I can imagine how hard it must be with all 3 kids, glad you found this site though! We're a friendly bunch, and hopefully we can help you with some advice too :3

Feel free to ask questions.