Sensory Processing Disorder

We got the word last week that Simon definitely demonstrates symptoms of Sensory Processing Disorder. This is something typically diagnosed by an occupational therapist, and there's a wide range of severity and variations on the condition. The side effect is that it can affect development in terms of motor and language skills. Basically it means that the brain doesn't take sensory input and translate it into fully appropriate responses. So for example, you would normally not think about the size, shape, velocity and vector of a ball that was thrown to you, because your brain takes all of that input and puts your hands in front of you to catch it. SPD means there's a lack of that foundation that connects the environment to your physical reaction. You treat it in early childhood with lots of practice.

In Simon's case, he doesn't have the issue of over-stimulation (though he does seem texture averse to certain foods), but generally his brain craves more intense simulation. This explains why he tends to be somewhat violent in pushing on us, or wants us to "squish" him when lying on the bed. It might also explain why, now that he has tried them, he likes the feeling of circular amusement rides and roller coasters.

This doesn't mean that he's broken, it just means that we need to work with him in different ways to help him catch up. He shows signs of more complex cognition that are surprising, like his ability to navigate and remember landmarks, but alternating feet when walking up steps is hard for him to coordinate. Simon can organize objects into precise patterns, but he's more likely to catch a ball with his face than his hands.

So we're going to have to try and figure out how to get him more OT, outside of school. Fortunately, we have seen quite a bit of progress in the last six months in all of his developmental areas. His vocabulary and sentence structure continues to improve. He isn't outright avoiding difficult situations the way he used to. We have to remind him to alternate feet on steps, and he's surprisingly willing to get into difficult balance situations. He even prefers to stand now on the monorails.

The doctor still wants him tested for autism spectrum, which is often associated with SPD. Again, these aren't end-of-the-world situations, it just means we need to adjust how he learns and make sure he has the right help for these situations. He's still our sweet little boy, and I would prefer that people not get real wrapped up in any labels.