Sensory processing disorder, what helps?

[Toooldforthat]

it seems that my 9 DC could have SPD. The EP thought she could have dyspraxia because her handwriting is messy and her working memory is low compared to her other things, but the OT said she didn't score low enough in fine and gross motor skills (25th centile) for dyspraxia but her initial assessment pointed out to SPD, she will have a more thorough assessment and some sessions for handwriting. What is more concerning to me is her poor tolerance to frustration, her frequent tantrums, her poor social skills, and her difficulties in maths. She also started to scratch her face furiously when it gets too much, which I find really upsetting. I don't really know how to help her, trivial things can trigger her meltdowns. Anybody out there with DC with SPD? What helps?

My dear grandson has a mild form. I know exactly what you mean by the 'poor tolerance with frustration'
It is so complex that you just have to read as much as you can. That's the only way that my Daughter and I learnt what works for him (he is 8)
I have to say that things are getting better, and he has a teacher now that understands.
There are two calming tactics that work: strong hands on massage, and, something vibrating on his chest. I know this last one sounds odd, but it works. It could be anything, a toy or even an electric toothbrush. They feel this vibration all through their bodies, and they love it.
It does get easier.

You will find loads of help and support over on SPD on the special needs children board Toooldforthat. There is an ongoing SPD support thread there too.

Really good books to start with too are "Raising a sensory smart child" and "The out of sync child". These can help you identify where sensory processing issues are and what may help too relieve them. It can be complex but there is loads that can be done at home and in schools to help

I found the thread thanks ilikeafternoonnaps and it is true that it does get better fingeronthebutton, at least for me, for her I am not so sure. It was really hard until the age of 4, I couldn't make any sense of her reactions, her explosive tantrums and I was constantly in tears myself, wondering why it was so easy with her siblings and so hard with her. I sort of gave up at some point and decided that there was nothing pleasing her, I had no idea about SPD then. It is just last year when the gap between her academic brother and her became huge that I had her assessed by an EP and the rest is history. It is nice to have a diagnosis and to finally begin to understand what is going on. The scratching on the face is worrying me now, I hope this is not going to be more than that. It is a form of self harming I think. I am hopeful than a full OT report will provide some useful tips.