Sensory processing disorder

[bigredvase]

What would be the main symptoms of a 2/3yo with SPD?

It varies massively.

Children with SPD can have issues with sight, sound, touch, taste, smell, proprioception, vestibular and interoception. They can be hyper or hypo sensitive to these and the sensitivities can fluctuate.

What are you worried about in particular?

There is a good book called 'the out of sync child' which gives tick lists to help you decide if you child may have SPD and whether it is a good idea to see an OT or not.

noise hating: handdryers, hover, crinkling bags behaving worse in loud environments
bad behaviour in supermarkets as they are distressed.
sensory seeking : chewing things or avoiding certain textures
not liking bright lights, getting badly behaved under fluorescent lights
leaning on you, invading space (more than the average two year old, more visible when older)
or flinching at light touch. (ds from the day he wsa born)

these are just some of the things I have notices with both my children.

I'll look up the book, thanks.

DS seems to always be seeking physical touch and movement; he loves to always be on the move, spin in circles, crashing toys, crashing himself into things, bumping things, hitting other children (he's not being aggressive, it's like he can't help it), he loves me giving him 'squeezy cuddles', tips his toy boxes upside down for no reason.

He's just turning 3 so I don't know how much of it is being a toddler and what might be something more. He does seem more 'hyper' than other children his age.

He does follow instructions (most of the time), good eye contact, speech is fine, everything else seems on track and emotionally he seems fine.

Maybe I'm worrying for nothing.

Ds constantly wants to be 'all over' me basically.
He hates hand driers to the point I'm having trouble potty training as he gets distressed in public toilets

My son was quite like that at 3 (he is autistic with SPD and very sensory seeking). He had a constant need for crashing, bashing, spinning, hitting, throwing. He also used to head bang and occasionally hand flap. Sometimes when he would get overwhelmed he would cover his eyes or his ears.

My ds did struggle with instructions, eye contact, speech and emotions.

Definitely look at the book it will give you a better idea of what is 'normal'. It might help to use some techniques for SPD even if he doesn't have it. Ie. You could give him ear defenders for going into the toilet (if he'll wear them). There's a second book called the out of sync child has fun which lists lots of different activities to try to help your child regulate themselves.

Have a look at this leaflet OP
www.falkirk.gov.uk/services/social-care/disabilities/docs/young-people/Making%20Sense%20of%20Sensory%20Behaviour.pdf?v=201507131117

Another vote here for the out of sync child book. Our 6 year old is asd plus spd sensory seeking. Constant spinning, and instead of sitting on his bum will be balancing his weight on one knee while half bending backwards or something that looks equally odd but which in reality is him being sensory seeking for movement and pressure. If the book ticks lots of boxes there are private OTs who specialise in spd (in our part of London the NHS wait for OT is crazy)