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Here are some suggested organisations that offer expert advice on special needs.

Original poster

Don't know where to start (sorry long)

16 replies

plus3 · 02/12/2011 11:00

Ds (7.10) has been treated for Sensory processing disorder, but is still finding school difficult. The Community Paed Dr went into school to observe him & felt that he is showing signs of ADHD. We had scored him low on the Conners scale, but he rated higher from school's point of view.

She then decribed him as complex yet capable. Obviously has sensory issues (which are on going), concerned that she saw attention seeking behaviour (in wanting to answer questions), moving around alot, and has concerns about ASD spectrum because of his ridgetidly to rules.

She has referred us to an ADHD specialist to tease out whether it is just this, or to rule it out to see what's happening underneath.

DH & I are quite anti-medication (although why, we not entirely sure - mostly don't want the side effects nor the idea of 'changing' him) but would consider it to rule it out.

so....this has left me incredibly confused. My understanding of SPD was that it can mimic ADHD. He has days when he can concentrate really well at school, and I conceed that we whilst we manage him well at home, there are issues but we try to keep home calm and happy.

I feel so overwhelmed with it all Sad What happens next? So many friends say they can't see anything wrong and that he is a lovely little boy, and that I should avoid seeking a lable for him, but I feelit is the only way to move forward. But then, that makes it about me and not him. I have this niggling feeling that he may be Aspergic, but mildly. Is that possible?

Has anyone got to the end of this post!? If so, thanks for reading.

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imogengladheart · 02/12/2011 11:08

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Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
plus3 · 02/12/2011 11:26

Imogeen thank you for answering. Feel a bit read out at the moment - not helping by my DH telling me not to worry!!

I will seek out the Attwell book - thanks

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Original poster
plus3 · 02/12/2011 11:27

sorry for speling your name wrong Blush

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coff33pot · 02/12/2011 11:28

DS has just been diangosed with SPD. And it causes no end of problems at school and their understanding of it. What are his sensory issues?

When they say attention seeking behaviour in wanting to answer questions. Do you mean he is asking questions and expecting an answer?

DS areas are auditory visual and auditory filtering. He hears sounds that the teachers cant hear and he has got to find out what it is before he can concentrate again. Also the noise in the classroom of all different people talking drives him potty and crowds his concentration, makes him fidget or run for it and he can become agressive if they try to put him back amonst the chaos. His concentration span is 7 - 9 mins but at home in the calm it is totally different till everyone comes home and then it builds up. I have also been told his actions are close to adhd but they feel its more sensory.

He is also still under assessment for ASD/AS He will ask questions till the cows come home on a subject until he is satisfied that he has all the answers and has the full picture. Again he cannot concentrate on anything else till he has had his answers.

There is no harm in seeing an adhd specialist. They will rule it out if he doesnt have it. What have the school put into practice to help your son with his sensory issues?

AgnesDiPesto · 02/12/2011 11:53

You can borrow Tony Attwood book for free from Cerebra lending library

Original poster
plus3 · 02/12/2011 12:17

Coff33pot: he has problems with his vision- bilateral convergence for which we did vision therapy (need a follow up appointment), propriception (he is a seeker) auditory - overhears everything, has problems with playground noise and busyness. Has completed a course of therapeutic listening. He has a retained neck reflex, which then affects his vestibular senses (linking in to the visual issues...)
He sits on a disco seat at the table at school & has a weighted belt for carpet time. That has come from us privately via an OT.

The answering questions is the teacher asking a question & he wants to answer it. He finds it difficult to share during activities at school, but is very rigid when it comes to following rules and playing fair.

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coff33pot · 02/12/2011 13:02

Bless him sounds very similar to my ds who is also a seeker and tactile sensitive, but doesnt have vision problems other than he sees too much! Grin He is also has a control issue in sharing, games ideas and there is no way he will play a game he will lose at or doesnt know the end outcome of so he is rigid in sticking to being by himself in his own world. He wont answer questions for fear of getting it wrong in class but will answer if he is on his own.

Sounds like the school and OT are doing great though with him. The OT went into ds school yesterday so I dont know what they have suggested yet as I wasnt invited to that one. They have put in a request that he can have his mp3 player in school for transitions from class and work but that is as far as I know right now.

I really hope that you get some answers soon xx

imogengladheart · 02/12/2011 13:21

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Triggles · 02/12/2011 14:15

Before you entirely rule out ADHD, stop and think about what exactly it is you DO with your DS at home. When we sat down and looked at exactly what adjustments we had made regarding DS2 without really even realising it (gradual changes to suit his needs), we were very surprised! Especially if he is an only child or firstborn, where there is not a child to compare to in the same house IYSWIM.

dolfrog · 02/12/2011 17:27

I only found this research paper today, and have just finnished reading it, you may find it of some interest.
Co-occurrence of linguistic and behavioural difficulties in early childhood: a developmental psychopathology perspective

Original poster
plus3 · 02/12/2011 17:43

TBH I'm not sure why we are so keen to not believe in the ADHD - the sensory problems are real, and think that I read at the beginning that people don't seem to know as much about SPD so just assume that the behaviours are ADHD and not SPD...therefore the treatment for SPD gets missed.

It's so complicated.

Triggles: That is a really good idea about evaluating exactly what it is we do at home to keep DS on an even keel - probably more than I think.

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Original poster
plus3 · 02/12/2011 17:44

And he is my PFB Blush ...DD is 2 yrs younger and can seem alot older on occassions.

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Triggles · 02/12/2011 18:39

plus3 DS2 has extensive sensory problems, but also has ADHD as well. His paed was concerned that it might simply be one or the other, as a lot of the behaviours can be the same. But some things stand out that are very obviously one or the other for each, it just took some time to get it figured out. They're still looking into the sensory stuff further, but at the moment, we're just doing what we can to help him cope. Bottom line for us is that a diagnosis is just words on paper. We're focusing on helping the behaviours and difficulties he has, regardless, which is what the paed and the school recommended to us initially, and it seems to work well for us for now.

I had to sit down and write out everything that we did to help with his care for DLA. THAT's when we saw exactly how much we were doing - it becomes second nature, so you just don't think about it. The only reason I mentioned first born or only child is because if you had a child that was 2 or 3 years older, you'd most likely peg to it much quicker that you were making a lot of adjustments for him. We didn't notice it as much because our older two children are quite a bit older, and then we had a younger child as well. So no child within a few years older for comparison. That's all. Certainly not in a PFB as an insult or condescending way! I didn't mean it like that, so please don't think I was criticising you. Smile

madwomanintheattic · 02/12/2011 19:41

ds1 is a bit of a mix as well. currently undergoing full assessment this month to try and tease it all out.
this week (!) paed and teachers say adhd, but previously we have had as/asd/odd/pda/gifted but bored/ a few other things...also some sensory stuff and continence issues/ anxiety. phobias Grin
comprehensive assessment will hopefully rule some stuff out, if not come up with dx.

dolfrog · 02/12/2011 21:19

plus3

Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) has changed names over the years, and when I started out researching SEN the SPD acronym represented Semantic Pragmatic Disorder which is now called Pragmatic Language Impairment (PLI).

Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD), which used to be called Sensory Integration Dysfunction (SID), is not yet listed on any of the main disability classification listings. This does not mean that SPD does not exist, but more that there is a lack of scientific agreement as to specific definitions and diagnostic processes.

This research pare may help explain the position, and also how SPD can relate to other issues, such as ADHD.
Perspectives on Sensory Processing Disorder: A Call for Translational Research
There are more research papers in my Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) collection which may be useful.

Original poster
plus3 · 03/12/2011 21:32

Triggles: I didn't think you were criticising at all. Grin

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