Hi Everyone, My son Aiden was diagnosed with SPD when he was just about 3 and 1/2 years old.
It's funny because from the day that he was born something seemed, well, kind of "off".
He was always overstimulated really easily..bright lights, loud noises..even too much movement could set him off screaming for hours as a baby..he wanted his space to be almost cave-like which was the exact opposite of what my other child enjoyed. He wouldn't nurse well and would scream if I tried to sing him songs (really, my voice isn't THAT bad..lol)
I thought maybe it was as simple as different kids, different personalities.
Sooo..I spent a lot of time at home with him for the first several years and read every parenting book I could get my hands on.
I tried different discipline styles, even resorted to spanking at one point but nothing seemed to get through to him..He would jump off of 6 ft big toys at 2 years of age without hesitating..no fear of getting hurt at all..he didn't react to pain in the typical way either.
He bit all of the way through his tongue when he was 3 and 10 seconds later was up and running again with blood pouring from his mouth (graphic..sorry) He even managed to knock his front teeth askew on a slide at the playground and hardly reacted..he cried because I definitely reacted...luckily the oral surgeon was able to push them back into place..Aiden didn't cry then either.
At Aiden's 3 year checkup his Dr was concerned because every visit to his office consisted of Aiden running screaming away from him..trying to hide behind tables, knocking over furniture and throwing things.. We started talking and he mentioned SPD..which I had never heard of..He asked me to set up an appointment to have Aiden evaluated and that is where the next part of our journey began
It was such a relief to know that I wasn't "imagining things" as my (now Ex) husband was fond of saying and even though I knew that Aiden's issues were going to be difficult I knew that there was SOMETHING that I could do to help my child to live a happier life!
I talked with our school district, got my son's evaluation and he started a Developmental Preschool program a week later..After 2 years of Developmental Preschool and occupational therapy and 1 successful year of a split 1/2 day Developmental K 1/2 day Mainstream K..my son has now graduated from his IEP and for the first time will be in a mainstream class the entire school day!
He's worked really hard to reach this point and I am SO proud of him!
There is so much more to tell and to share but I think that I've rambled on for long enough..lol
Thanks for reading our story