Signs of SPD in Children – from Picky Eating to Temper Tantrums

Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) affects five to ten percent of all children – an average of one child in every classroom.

Imagine having a child who finds hugs unbearable, or a child who throws temper tantrums virtually every time he or she is taken to a restaurant or store, or a child who refuses to eat. These behaviors are daily realities for more than three million children in the United States alone.

October is National Sensory Awareness Month. The Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) Foundation wants parents to know the Red Flags of SPD:

•     Overly sensitive to touch, noises, smells, or movement
•     Floppy or stiff body, clumsy, poor motor skills or handwriting
•     Difficulty dressing, eating, sleeping, or toilet training
•     Frequent or lengthy temper tantrums
•     Easily distracted, fidgety, withdrawn, or aggressive
•     Craves movement
•     Easily overwhelmed

Most children with SPD are just as intelligent as their peers, and many are intellectually gifted. Not all children are affected the same way. One child with SPD may over-respond to sensation, and find clothing and certain foods unbearable. Another might under-respond and show no reaction to pain, while yet another might have coordination problems.

Dr. Lucy Jane Miller, founder of the SPD Foundation, provides parents with background information about SPD and common sense strategies for helping children with sensory issues in her books, “Sensational Kids” and “No Longer A SECRET.” According to Miller, “SPD is not a reflection of bad behavior, and it is not caused by bad parenting. In fact, it’s not ‘bad’ at all. It’s physiologic in nature.”

Treatment for SPD typically involves occupational therapy, which enables children to participate in the normal activities of childhood, such as playing with friends, enjoying school, eating, dressing, and sleeping. Depending on the child’s symptoms, other types of treatment might also be recommended, including feeding programs, listening therapy, speech and language therapy, or the DIR® Floortime model.

Click the following links to purchase the books mentioned:

• Sensational Kids
• No Longer A SECRET

The Importance of Swimming

The Sensory Spectrum’s discussion boards have been lighting up about swimming. From our sensory kids having trouble to being in bathing suits to just them getting in the water. But swimming skills are really important.

One Family’s Struggle with Sensory Processing Disorder

You are not alone in struggling with Sensory Processing Disorder. Here is one family’s struggle.

Your Child’s Motor Development Story

Book: Your Child‘s Motor Development Story: Understanding and Enhancing Development from Birth to Their First Sport

Amazon Description: Your Child’s Motor Development Story is written by an occupational therapist who describes for the everyday parent how BEST to help their kids develop. She takes them from birth to crawling, all the way to their first sports. Problems like slouching are tackled from lack of core strength, along with more pervasive coordination difficulties that many children face. Any new parent, and their kids, will gain from this book.

Fine Motor Control in Children

Just what does fine motor control mean for children? How can you spot if your child has fine motor control problems?

Rainbow pencils (Photo credit: @Doug88888)

Understanding Your Child’s Sensory Signals: A Practical Daily Use Handbook for Parents and Teachers

Book: Understanding Your Child‘s Sensory Signals: A Practical Daily Use Handbook for Parents and Teachers

Amazon Description: A practical, daily application handbook for parents, teachers, and caregivers to help understand sensory signals versus behavior and how you can help! This user friendly “go to” handbook is geared for daily use and as a quick sensory reference guide. Enjoy the simple, organized format to give you the essential and useful information for over 110 sensory signals. The handbook provides simple every day sensory strategies and techniques to help ALL children; including SPD, autism spectrum disorders, ADD/ADHD, APD, and developmental disabilities. This handbook provides guidance and understanding as to why children do what they do in regards to unique sensory processing differences and needs.

Calming Activities for Children with Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD)

I’m always on the lookout for new ideas to help out my SPD kid. Check out this list… it may give you something new to try.

Book: Teamwork Isn’t My Thing, and I Don’t Like to Share! (Best Me I Can Be!)

Book: Teamwork Isn’t My Thing, and I Don’t Like to Share! (Best Me I Can Be!)

Amazon Description: RJ’s having another bad day… His teacher wants him to work with bossy Bernice, messy Frankie, and Norma (who just sits and picks her nose) on a report about Egyptian mummies. After a frustrating school day with his team, RJ goes home to find only one cookie left in the jar. And his mom makes him share it with his sister! With the help of his coach, RJ learns that working as a team and sharing are skills needed not just on the soccer field, but in school and at home too!

Book: What If Everybody Did That?

Book: What If Everybody Did That?

If you drop just one soda can out the window, it’s no big deal … right? But what if everybody did that? What if everybody broke the rules … and spoke during story time, didn’t wash up, or splashed too much at the pool? Then the world would be a mess. But what if everybody obeyed the rules so that the world would become a better place? Using humorous illustrations rendered in mixed media, these questions are answered in a child-friendly way and show the consequences of thoughtless behavior.

Hearing a Voice in the Crowd

Do you ever feel like your child isn’t listening to you? They may be ignoring you. However, kids with auditory sensory challenges can have a really hard time focusing in on sounds in busy or crowded places. This interesting article touches on how our brain is able to focus in on one person’s voice even though we may be surrounded by a lot of noise and chattering people. So try to imagine how your child might feel if they can’t pick out a voice out of the crowd.