Good Morning! I recently found this board and wanted to take a minute to introduce myself. I am the mother of a 5 yo boy, J, who is having some seriously struggles in kindergarten.

We have been in school for about 4 weeks and already been into the principal's office 3 times - all for biting. As I started to piece together what is going on, I came across SPD and now things are starting to make much more sense. I'm still not sure how to describe him other than he's a mover and a shaker. But he also has a very strong oral component to his sensory issues, always something in his mouth, very sensitive to temps of food (wants them cold or frozen), HATES toothpaste and brushing his teeth, sucks on his shirt, loves to chew gum, etc. Which is why, I believe, when he is overwhelmed he immediately goes to biting (even licking sometimes).

We have been to a child psychologist and are awaiting our testing appointment in mid-October. I have asked the school to have the counselor observe him during the day so we can start the process of obtaining resources for him through the district.

Is SPD something that can only be evaluated by an OT or will the testing be available when we test for other things through his psychologist? I assume it may vary from doctor to doctor...

I just wanted to say hi, hopefully we are on the right track and can get J the help he needs to be successful in school

Other professionals can diagnose "SPD" although that is not what they will call it as SPD is not in the DSM manual and is not an approved diagnosis for insurance purposes. My daughter was diagnosed by an OT, but I've read of others being diagnosed by a developmental pediatrician or a child psychologist. We saw a child psychologist and he said he thought it was PDD-NOS, which in my thinking is saying nothing. The OT diagnosed dyspraxia, and recently the school psychologist administered a test which was sent to the pediatrician, and she was diagnosed with ADD. It sounds to me like you are on the right track. It may be helpful to print off the symptom checklist from this site, complete it, and bring it with you to the appointment with the psychologist. If you don't get an answer you believe is accurate, keep pursuing it and try an OT. Sometimes it takes several "professionals" before you get an accurate diagnosis. I wish the best for you and your son! Welcome.