From an SPD Foundation Press Release:
On February 19, PBS aired an investigative report that stated Adam Lanza, the young man who killed 20 children and six adults at a school in Newtown, Connecticut in December, had been diagnosed with Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) as a young child.
SPD is a neurological disorder that disrupts the daily lives of children, causing challenges with social participation, self-regulation and self-esteem. Research has shown 5-10 percent of all children have SPD.
Lucy Jane Miller, Ph.D., OTR, founder and research director of the SPD Foundation, was interviewed by ABC.com to give her response to the investigative report. During this interview Dr. Miller explained SPD and the vital importance of support for the individuals and families impacted by this disorder. See the full story at abcnews.com.
“Although we deplore the reason SPD has now come into the national spotlight, we appreciate the opportunity to explain SPD, and how parents and their children with SPD need the support of the educational and medical communities,” stated Dr. Lucy Jane Miller.
“There is so little information about Adam Lanza’s diagnostic conditions and any treatments he may have received. We want everyone to know that SPD is real and that there are effective treatments. Most important, there is no direct correlation between sensory issues and the type of aggression and violence exhibited by Adam Lanza.”
For more information please read the SPD Foundation’s fact sheet.
ABOUT SENSORY PROCESSING DISORDER FOUNDATION
The Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) Foundation, a Colorado 501(c)(3), offers educational programs, conducts SPD research, and provides resources for parents worldwide. Dr. Lucy Jane Miller, widely recognized as a leader in SPD research worldwide, founded the SPD Foundation in 1979. Since 1994, the SPD Foundation has been spearheading an intense campaign for recognition of SPD in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-5). For more information, visit SPDFoundation.net or call 303-794-1182.
Related articles
- Sensory Processing Disorder: Ambiguous But Real (thesensoryspectrumblog.com)
- Sensory Integration: A Guide for Preschool Teachers (thesensoryspectrumblog.com)
- The Sensory Connection: An OT and SLP Team Approach (thesensoryspectrumblog.com)
The Sensory Spectrum 