Sensory Processing Disorder Target Audience Parents Amy Zirbser
Sensory Processing Disorder Target Audience : Parents Amy Zirbser
What is it? �Trouble responding to and receiving information through senses �May affect multiple senses �Hyper or hyposensitive to things in environment
Causes �No exact cause �Abnormal brain activity �Genetic component �Maternal deprivation �Premature birth �Prenatal malnutrition Great Book!
Who does it affect? � 5 to 16% of children exhibit symptoms of SPD �Babies, toddlers, school-aged children and adults
Comorbidity �Additional disorders co-existing with a primary disorder
Co-Existing disorders �ADHD �Autism/Asperger’s Syndrome �Language Disorder �Learning Disability �Fragile X Syndrome �Anxiety �OCD
Symtpoms �Over-responsive or under-responsive to things �Can not transition �Frequent tantrums and meltdowns �Exists on a spectrum
What does this mean? �www. brainbalance Poor Balance Fear of Climbing Fear of sudden high pitched sound hypersensitive Fear of Crowds Background noise distracting Fearful of touch
What does this mean? �www. brainbalance Thrill seeker Doesn’t know own strength Hypo sensitive Enjoys movement based play Clumsy, uncoordinated movement Constantly touching things Can’t understand personal space
Diagnostic Process �Screening a. parent checklist b. developmental history �Needs to affect normal functional and disrupt everyday life �If warranted evaluation follows
Diagnostic Tools �Sensory Integration and Praxis Test(children ages 4 -8) �Sensory Profile, Sensory Processing Measure(Parents, Teachers) �Comprehensive OT evaluation �www. spdfoundation. net
Benefits of early diagnosis �Leads to early intervention �Increase success of EI �Better school experiences �Prevent secondary problems �Correct labeling of unusual behaviors �Improve family life
Treatment �Can be hard to get help �Isn’t recognized as a medical diagnosis �Depends on individual child’s need �Usually done by Occupational therapists
Sensory Integration �Goal- challenge a child in a fun, playful way �Outcome-child responds appropriately, functions normally
DIR Model �Developmental, Individual Difference, Relationship. Based Model �Developed by Stanley Greenspan, MD & Serena Weider Ph. D �“Floortime” method is major part �www. webmd. com
“Floortime” method �Multiple sessions of play � 20 minutes each �First parents follow child’s lead �Then parents create challenges for child �Creating a “shared world” with the parent �Session are tailored to individual child’s needs
Impact on me �My daughter has this diagnosis �This is her brief story
Demographics �Four years old �In Pre-Kindergarten �Has two siblings �One with ADHD/ODD diagnosis �Highly Intelligent
Initial Symptoms �Toe Walking �Aversion to certain food textures �Aversion to certain noises �Avoided over-stimulating things �Repetitive behaviors �Trouble with transitioning
Treatments �Had Early intervention therapy �Private Occupational therapy �Private feeding therapy �Participates in many extracurricular activities
Present Day �Struggles with eating certain things �Need for sameness �Doesn’t transition well �Struggles with certain textures �Struggles with certain environments �Some days good, some bad
Lesson’s Learned �Be your child’s advocate �Listen to your heart, not other people �Be patient �Get your kids involved
References �www. autismspeaks. org �www. spdfoundation. net
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