Tag: SPD

SPD in Teens and Adults

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I often get asked if ‘J’ will grow out of his sensory processing difficulties. This is not something kids grow out of since it is a part of them. However, the work he is doing now and will continue to do will hopefully give him the tools to help him better handle his daily routine in the future.

The STAR Institute for Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) posted a great article: “How SPD Affects the Out-Of-Sync Adolescent’s Emotions” by Carol Kranowitz, author of The Out-of-Sync Child. Click here to read the article.

Are you wondering what Sensory Processing Disorder may look like in adults? Click here to read all about it on additudemag.com. Thanks to social media, I noticed this article by the STAR Institute’s tweet!

Although kids and adults are affected by SPD differently, gaining insight is always helpful. Knowledge is power.

Be sure to check out the STAR Institute’s website  for more information about Sensory Processing Disorder.

STAR-Institute-logo

Wiggling Our Way Through Meals

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For the last few weeks, ‘J’ has been getting up mid-meal to jump, spin or run. He’s not upset when he’s doing it, not having a tantrum, it’s almost as if he just needs to do it.

‘J’ loves jumping on the floor, trampoline or his bed. He loves climbing anywhere he can. The fact that he’s a fan of this in general, it’s not surprising that once he’s sitting and eating for awhile, he needs to change things up.

He’s always been good about sitting at the table to eat. I’m torn in the sense that if he feels like that’s what he needs at that time because of how he’s feeling, I don’t want to stop him. At the same time, it’s not the best habit to teach, especially if he carries it over to a restaurant (knock on wood-that hasn’t happened yet).

I mentioned it to our OT and she suggested a wiggle seat. When I was talking with our speech therapist about it, she mentioned she had one we could try out. The last few days have gone well and he seems to like it. I don’t see him jumping or spinning as much. Who knew that a tiny little seat can do so much?

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But what is it actually doing? The following was taken from sensorysolutions.co

The inflated chair has a slight texture on the surface, which already works to provide a certain amount of sensory stimulation. The angle and shape of the chair causes the child to engage their core section and balance themselves on top while sitting.

This stimulation actually sends signals to the brain to allow their minds to focus easier. What this means is that your child’s subconscious focusing on their posture and balance while sitting on the wiggle chair directly influences how their mind focuses. This makes the chair perfect for classroom settings.

The seat can help calm and organize the body. Since it’s working so far, I’ll keep it going. Stay tuned for updates!

Listen to Becky, from Sensory Spectacle talk about why someone with Sensory Processing difficulties may bounce on their bed:

A Hairy Situation

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‘J’ had his first haircut on the day he turned 1. We were in Disney World and went to the Barber Shop on Main Street. It was so much fun and he did great! He may have been ok with a haircut or two after that one but since that timeframe, it has been a struggle.

As time has gone on, it’s not just a struggle to cut his hair. Washing his hair is usually being done as he is screaming or crying. Brushing his hair is a big battle in the morning. Sometimes I try wetting the brush a bit since he definitely has a big case of bed head every morning. I’m trying to give up wetting the brush since he hates feeling the water and only makes him hate the experience more.

It’s tough when we’re getting ready for school and he’s running away screaming not wanting his hair brushed. Or if I was able to brush it, he then has to rub his head in the couch, bed or on his hand while screaming which puts us back to square one.

This is an ongoing process to see what may help him get through these activities. It’s another example of something most people take for granted, but for him, it’s an extra sensitive situation. Like most things in parenthood, it’s trial and error until we find the key to what works.

Below are two videos from Sensory Spectacle. The first talks about why someone with SPD may not like brushing their hair, the second discusses why they may not like washing their hair and the last is all about haircuts.

 

Sensory Processing Disorder and Autism

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April is Autism Awareness Month and yesterday, April 2, was Autism Awareness Day. Although ‘J’ is not autistic and Sensory Processing Disorder is not Autism, many with autism also have sensory processing difficulties.

The following was taken from the Star Institute for Sensory Processing Disorder:

Children whose Sensory Processing Disorder conforms to the under-responsivity subtype typically require a great deal of stimulation in order to become alert and active, a behavior often seen in children with autistic spectrum disorders. Meanwhile, other children with ASD have symptoms more similar to the over-responsive subtype of SPD. Because Autism and SPD both have over-responding and under-responding categories, Autims and SPD are sometimes mistaken for one another.

The relationship between SPD and Autism is an area of great interest to scientists and families living with the condition. Studies by the STAR Institute suggest that at least three-quarters of children with autistic spectrum disorders have significant symptoms of Sensory Processing Disorder, and probably more depending on how significant symptoms are defined.

However, the reverse is not true. Most children with SPD do not have an autistic spectrum disorder! Our research suggests that the two conditions are distinct disorders just as SPD and ADHD are different disorders.

Appropriate intervention relies upon accurate diagnosis. Pursuing an evaluation for SPD by a qualified occupational therapist with sensory integration training facilitates diagnosis that distinguishes autistic spectrum issues from sensory issues. This distinction increases the likelihood that your child will receive the appropriate treatment for his or her neurological conditions.

With further research into the relationship of SPD and autistic spectrum disorders, the STAR Institute hopes to facilitate better more appropriate intervention for all children who have either – or both – SPD and Autism.

In The Out-of-Sync Child, Carol Stock Kranowitz writes “One of the major deficits of the child is difficulty processing sensory information. SPD underlies the child’s problems with coordination and balance, visual discrimination, and the ability to comprehend gestures, facial expressions, and social cues. For children with NLD, sensory integration therapy very beneficial.”

There are so many great resources available to those affected by autism. Click here to learn more from Autism Speaks.

 

 

Mood Swings

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Everyone has mood swings. Personally, if I don’t get enough sleep at night, I’m dragging during the day. I may not have as much patience, not get as much done or may just be out of it. If I haven’t eaten in awhile, I may be cranky or lightheaded. Some days things seem off and you’re just having a day.

Kids are affected in the same ways!

Now add in sensory difficulties. It’s the end of a day, you’re tired and hungry as you sit at a restaurant for dinner. Anyone may feel a bit edgy. But for someone with sensory issues, this restaurant may feel so overwhelming. If someone already feels like sounds are too loud, this may be even worse in this setting.

Although specific instances like being tired or hungry do not cause sensory issues, they definitely aid in triggering them. I know I see it for ‘J.’ I’ve seen changes in weather affect him. I’m sure that sounds weird, but it’s true. Other times its tougher to pinpoint if there is an external factor like hunger or the weather amplifying his triggers.

This post is just me thinking out loud. I am going to check out The Out-of-Sync Child and other resources to read more about external factors. If any readers can relate or would like to share their experiences-please do!

 

Sensory Spectacle Resources

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I am so thankful for Becky Lyddon, of Sensory Spectacle, for taking the time out of her busy schedule to be a guest blogger this weekend.

Sensory Spectacle is working to bring awareness to the Sensory Processing Difficulties community. Although based in the UK, they are providing information that spreads throughout the world.

If you missed this weekend’s 3 Part series from Becky, please click below for links:

Supporting a Sensory Lifestyle for People with SPD Part 1

Supporting a Sensory Lifestyle for People with SPD Part 2

Supporting a Sensory Lifestyle for People with SPD Part 3

Make sure to check out the Sensory Spectacle website and shop for more resources. Their presence on YouTube is so valuable for educating the public about sensory processing. I am thankful for having found the videos and being able to share them with family and friends. Click on the links below to follow Sensory Spectacle!

Sensory Spectacle Website

Sensory Spectacle Shop

Access and subscribe to the Sensory Spectacle YouTube channel

Follow Sensory Spectacle on Twitter

Follow Sensory Spectacle on Instagram

I’ll wrap up the series with this one video answering the question:

Why Do We Need to Provide Sensory Support?

Supporting a Sensory Lifestyle for People with SPD | Part 3 of 3

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Tips for Supporting Someone with SPD

It is important you understand what someone’s over-riding sensory needs is. This will be the sensory system which they are mainly ‘seeking’ or ‘avoiding’ in their day-to- day lives. Once you can recognize this you can be prepared to support them in all settings.

I suggest that parents and professionals are prepared with a ‘sensory sack’. This bag will contain a selection of items that will support a range of sensory needs (don’t forget needs may fluctuate and vary):

  • noise cancelling headphones, either in the ear or over the ear
  • sunglasses
  • cap with a peak
  • something which smells of that person (old tshirt)
  • a soft fidget like a small cushion
  • a rough fidget like a brush
  • a fidget which you fiddle with
  • a weighted beanbag
  • electric toothbrush
  • a massaging cushion

Most children and adults with SPD are already regulating themselves so try and notice how they are doing that and offer other strategies too. You can learn more about understanding these characteristics with our ‘Homelife’ video series on YouTube. Subscribe and share the videos for FREE!

SPD is currently not able to be diagnosed in the UK in it’s own right, it is only recognized with an Autism diagnosis. SPD affects many other people with additional needs too though, so please bear this in mind. 

An Occupational Therapist who is Sensory Integration trained will be able to offer support and advice for anyone who has SPD. If you would like to help your setting become more aware of sensory needs then why not download our ‘What is SPD’ sheet from our website.

Supporting a Sensory Lifestyle for People with SPD | Part 2 of 3

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Thank you again to Becky Lyddon, founder of Sensory Spectacle. Here’s is Part 2 of our 3 Part Weekend Series:

Sensory Spectacle creates immersive learning environments to help parents, professionals and students gain a unique insight into how SPD may feel for them and learn through empathy how best to personalize support for someone with SPD. Our Being Ben experience is based on a common difficulty of filtering out unnecessary sounds, Lola’s World is based on a visual processing difficulty of fragmentation and Mehdiosmia is based on a boy who found the smell of washing detergent too overwhelming to change his clothes.

There are 3 ways someone’s sensory processing may be affected. They could have difficulties with the amount of information they are processing – familiar terms for this are know as seeking and avoiding characteristics. Other people may have difficulties with working out the location or intensity of a sensation. And the third way is through motor-based difficulties. Often covering ears, squinting eyes, licking things, throwing objects, bumping into things, constant movement and eating a small selection of foods are characteristics we may commonly recognize and these are all relating to modulation – the amount of information someone is processing.

Our bodies need a certain amount of sensation to feel ‘OK’. We are constantly regulating ourselves and telling ourselves we are ‘OK’ we might need to help support people with SPD to do this but these characteristics mentioned above are some ways they are already supporting themselves.

Learn loads of fun and practical ways to support children and adults with SPD with our SPECTACULAR Play and Support guides which you can find on our website shop. 

Stay tuned tomorrow for our final part of the series from Becky’s piece on Sensory Processing and don’t forget to check out Sensory Spectacle at http://www.sensoryspectacle.co.uk/! 

If you missed Part 1 of our 3 part series, click here.

Supporting a Sensory Lifestyle for People with SPD | Part 1 of 3

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I started this blog because of the information and solace I found in other blogs, articles and social media groups. I thought that maybe if by sharing my experience, it might be helpful for another parent going through similar situations. 

Thanks to social media, I came across other fantastic resources. One of those resources was Sensory Spectacle. I started following them on Twitter and watching their YouTube videos. I had reached out to Sensory Spectacle, which is based in the UK, to let them know how much I appreciate their videos and that I would love to link to some of them in my blog. To my surprise, Becky, the founder, offered to write a piece for my blog. I am turning her piece into a 3 part weekend series that begins today!

Thank you to Becky and all those at Sensory Spectacle for sharing this information and all that you do for the SPD community. 

And now, here’s Becky Lyddon, founder of Sensory Spectacle. 

I never quite realized how much I relied on my senses until I started a role as a playworker in London in 2009. After graduating from a degree in Graphic Design I realized an office based job just wasn’t’ for me. So I started a job supporting children and young people in a shortbreaks setting (afterschool, holidays and weekends). I got to do loads of fun activities and go on many holidays taking the children to places they had never been before offering new experiences for them and respite for families.

Being in a management role, as well as supporting the children I also had a responsibility to ensure my staff were confident and competent in caring for the young people in all settings we went to.

Very quickly after being in this role I realized that we didn’t offer any training to help them understand why some children may respond in a particular way to their surroundings. I wanted to make sure we could understand and care for the children as best we could. Often it was hard for staff to recognize triggers or understand why a child may love constantly flickering water, for example. Alongside this we also had many experiences where the public would ask us why a child played in a certain way or even if we could stop a child from doing something in particular.

I wanted to create a better understanding and awareness of Sensory Processing Difficulties (SPD) so I went and studied a Masters in Art & Science, it was here that Sensory Spectacle began making immersive learning environments for everyone to gain a unique insight from and to spread a better understanding and awareness of SPD. Our work is created based on descriptions from people with SPD.

Have you ever wondered how it might feel to hear all of the sounds in your environment right now while you are trying to read this post? The lights buzzing, technology whirring, radiators creaking, wind blowing, leaves rustling, airplanes flying, cars driving, footsteps moving, clocks ticking, conversations next door.

We all process and respond to our surroundings in a personalized way. Sensory processing is something which we all have in common as human beings. From before we are born we are sensing, processing and responding to information received from our senses. Because sensory processing is a personalized system unique to ourselves it is likely that you will have similarities in sensory preferences with your friends and family members as well as differences. Food choices, music preferences, sports activities etc. All of these activities revolve back to sensory processing and we build up these preferences throughout our life.

However for some people, organizing and responding to the sensory messages can be extremely confusing. Some children may cover their ears as they can be overwhelmed with the sounds around them. Or maybe you know someone who only has a diet of dry crunchy foods to help block out the sounds around them.

Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) is when the brain finds it difficult to organize the messages it’s receiving and respond to them. Some people may respond to these sensations actively or passively. SPD impacts 1 in 20 and we must remember that this is throughout someone’s life so children and adults will experience difficulties processing sensory information. As children with SPD get older they are likely to find ways in which they support their own sensory needs in order to help regulate
their bodies.

We must try to understand what these sensory responses and characteristics mean so that then we can support personal needs. You can learn loads more about this in our workshops.

Stay tuned tomorrow for Part 2 of Becky’s piece on Sensory Processing and don’t forget to check out Sensory Spectacle at http://www.sensoryspectacle.co.uk/!
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Squishy Fidgets

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We’ve all heard of fidget spinners. It went from being a helpful aid for those with sensory disorders, autism and ADHD, to a hot holiday item that everyone wanted.

I never thought much of it, but in recent months I started to wonder if a fidget would be good for ‘J.’ I wasn’t sure where to start and didn’t feel like a spinner was the right answer for him.

I did some research here and there but never moved forward with the idea. About two weeks ago, ‘J’ started watching TV, reading books, etc. and I noticed his hands would be in his mouth pretty often. This was new and something I was keeping an eye on. I also noticed as he was playing play dough or some other toys he would be testing how it felt on his face. I wasn’t sure if he was requiring more sensory input or if something was bothering him. After talking with him and watching him more, I felt like at times he just needed to do something with his hands. I mentioned it to his Occupational Therapist on Monday and she suggested a fidget. During his session, she gave him a squishy fidget to play with. His hands never went in his mouth and he was excited to play with it. She said img_2017it’s something we could try and told me I could find them on Amazon. Easy enough! Amazon and I have a great relationship.

Right after OT, he has speech. I mentioned it to his speech therapist and she had a smaller fidget with her. She gave it to him to play with and mentioned it might help keep him still. Sometimes he gets…for lack of a better word…fidgety during his session. She also let him know that anytime he wants it, all he has to do is ask.

Now we our very own squishy fidget dinosaur (pictured here as he roars) and a few others to try out. I’m hoping this can be used for calming purposes when needed, gives him the sensory input he sometimes requires and of course for fun!

Click here to purchase the same squishy fidget toy for your family!