(10-25-2012, 01:47 PM)Kalebs mommy Wrote: Hello Everyone,
I’m new and not sure how this stuff really works so I guess I’ll start off by telling you a little about my son. Kaleb is a beautiful well rounded 4 year old with lotsss of energy. Yesterday we had our first meeting with his Preschool Teacher and an OT – over what I thought was some minor issues with his speech and hand domination. At the meeting we were told they believe Kaleb suffers from SPD (they called him a sensory seeker). I’ve never hear of this but always wondered about some of the behaviors he has. Kaleb will walk a few steps then “hugs” himself really tight he does this not only when he’s excited but even over little things like pouring him a drink or handing him a pencil. While I love nothing more than to hold and hug my lil angel his hugs are sometimes very painful and tight. Kaleb’s always been a high energy little boy who loves loud music, amusement rides, swings (never can get him high enough!) very adventurous, outgoing and daring! After speaking with these ladies and doing some of my own research I find myself saying “OMG that sounds like Kaleb!” with things i"m reading. This is soo new to us that I’m not even sure how “bad” he has it – from what I’ve read I’m assuming it’s mild?? So please forgive me if I write or say anything that may not be correct again I’m very new with this. Anyways they are starting the process now of screening him and we will meet again in 3 months. Kaleb has had 5 surgeries before he turned 4 and they were all related to his ears or his tear ducks. The OT suggested that his inner ear issues may have contributed to this SPD problem??? I’m having a hard finding any information regarding that or showing that there could be some correlation between the two? I want all the ammo I can get before I meet with his Pediatrician(IF there is a correlation) – the same Pediatrician that had us wait 1 ½ years before giving us a referral to an ENT and ONLY after Kaleb’s last ear infection burst his ear drum and I demanded the referral. Also every time he is checked out it seems as though he has fluid in his ears? Is this common with children with SPD? I’m so confused. Please, if anyone can provide some insight or direct me to a place where I can read more about that please let me know. One last thing he has never been a good sleeper and is up before the crack of dawn usually 5-5:30 and goes to bed exhausted between 7:30 and 8pm (it does take him a while to relax and fall asleep but he will lay there). Keeping him up later does not work for him it just means less sleep and a very grumpy boy! I’ve never noticed any issues with lights or lack of he does sleep with a night light but if I turn it off he’ll wake up very upset in the night (scared) and have us turn it back on. I’m thinking of purchasing him one of those clocks that turns green or yellow when it is “ok” to get up in hopes that it will "reset" his internal clock. Has anyone else done that and do they think it might help. I don’t think a weighted blanket will work as he hardly ever likes the covers on him and sleeps shirtless. Thank you to anyone that reads this and I’m sorry it is soo long not very grammatical!

Welcome to the group! I think you'll find a lot of encouragement and assistance if you participate on this forum.
My daughter is also a sensory seeker, diagnosed 3 months ago (seems like an eternity!) We adopted her at 2 yrs, 3 mos, but we were told she had been having ear infections since birth. She has colapsed eustacian (sp?) tubes and has had tubes inserted four times. The ENT says she'll likely need them until she's 12 or 13. Well to your question: did this contribute to the SPD? I'm torn--I think both yes and no. If you research it long enough on the web, you'll find compelling evidence for both positions. For my daughter it was probably a combination of genetics, neglect by her birth mother, improper attention to ear infections/hearing problems, and unaddressed dietary issues/intolerances. It all adds up.