Anyone have any experience of Sensory Processing Disorder *without* ASD also present?

[BigWeeHag]

I'm just wondering. And getting ready for DS1's ASD assessment.

I don't believe that he is autistic, I really don't. He's a challenge, he has lots of sensory issues, but I am not seeing the alleged ASD.

I have googled and found that SPD is a diagnosis by itself in USA, but not here. Anyone know much about it?

Well I presume DD would qualify for a SPD dx as she has a 'definite difference' in all but 2 areas of her processing. She doesn't have an ASD dx, but does have a brain malformation.

ds is SPD alongside his down syndrome. Although he also has diagnosied autistic traits. The profs didin't want to give him the dx as he also has a lot of traits of adhd,add,odd, and ocd. They couldn't label him with them all.

BigWeeHag,

Sounds like you need to read this:
www.icdl.com/distance/webRadio/documents/2-26-2004.pdf

And perhaps also buy the DVD of the film "Autistic-like, Graham's story" which also features Dr Greenspan and explores the "grey area" of not ASD/not NT.

I walked away from the whole dx process as, for my son, (not others I know) it just seemed like an attempt to reduce a child to a checklist and the different diagnostic terms are so random it's almost funny. But you don't have that luxury unless your child's needs are mild and being met.
Good luck.

The problem with a dx if SPD is that you will receive no help for it. For example you will have a better hope of accessing OT (although tbh it's still slim) with an ASD diagnosis.

How old is your child and why do you think they are not autistic? You can refuse a diagnosis I guess, but it might not help you get what you need.

I tend to think of the ASD dx as a signpost and a political label to access resources.

My son with severe autism (aged 10) is affectionate, loves teasing people, tries very hard to communicate, constantly shows me things that interest him etc etc, but his ASD diagnosis is still useful. Probably not as useful as his learning disability diagnosis (and he has a diagnosis of severe learning disabilities - although his memory is better than anyone I have ever met - it is extraordinary - see what I mean about diagnoses being political and signposting rather than descriptive of a child!).

i would have to agree regarding the dx giving you access to help as SPD isn't really recognised and would be hared to get all the relevant help needed in school etc for any OT equipment or other help

just wandering also why you don't think he is autistic my ds 4.9 is a good humoured funny bright little boy functions fairly well at school with limited help but he is autistic and we do have days when it is really bad but on a day to day basis you would never really know unless i told you

we had horrible time though from 2-3.9 it was quite tough sensory wise lack of sleep and behaviour wise also limited speech and speech sounds his come along way with the dx as had access to a lot of help which has proved a great success in the difference in him now

Biog

I attended a lecture on sensory isues andsensory integrationboth with and without ASD;if you emailme(peaches and cream04 @ btinternet dot com) am happy to pas on powerpoint.

Unless you areon TTR in whcih case I have uploaded it to the group.

Glad I found this thread - my dd2 has Downs and we are currently paying for in-depth private OT assessment (NHS therapists round here told us 'there's nothing we can do, she'll get there in the end' - I think not ).

Anyway, she has already identified that she tactile processing issues and is looking into other senses more when she visits her in Nursery. She's also giving us a questionnaire to fill out. I think she definitely has sound issues.

Dd2 does not have an ASD, so will be interesting to see what comes of it all.

Would be good to share more info, experiences with other people.

Thanks for the link, very interesting. And thanks for sharing experiences.

Basically, the paed and OT have given this diagnosis after one short meeting, I personally do not feel that he is socially impaired other than by his speech, which is significantly delayed (however, his language is not) - he is finally starting to make friends now at 4y 7m. He makes reasonably good eye contact with family. Oh, I don't know. But I don't feel in denial!

BTW, we are getting SALT and OT without DX so far.

Thanks Beth, will email you shortly x

BigWeeHag,

Have you got a sense now of what his issues, are, of what help he needs?

Are you going through the dx process in order to get particular help?

I started out taking him to the HV at 18 months because his speech was so far behind everything else. They wouldn't refer until 3, so he was referred then. SALT referred him on, as she felt he had sensory processing issues, and I agreed.

He had a ridiculous and crap MDT in that area (where the doctor assumed he had something chromosonally wrong due to his blondness and told me he "looked very different." He doesn't.)Tests showed nothing. OT there prescribed sensory diet and on we went. Anyway, we then moved areas, in part so that he gets another year of nursery (dates are different in NI) and he has had a new MDT, where this provisional DX occured.

I do need help, I am struggling. He needs sunglasses because his eyes itch and swell and irritate him in bright light. He has auditory and oral issues, and there is the speech (he does not have Glue Ear and is not deaf, they did remove his adenoids though.)

Currently he sleeps 11 - 7.30 with 2 or 3 up times, and that is draining because between 7.30 (bedtime) and 11 he wrecks his room (not maliciously, he's bored I think) and annoys his siblings. Has 2 or 3 amazing tantrums a day, and he has dangerous behaviours, like road danger and hurting his siblings.

He is making friends though, and doing really well in the nursery setting. He's the oldest in the group for the first time, I think that is helping him. He is very bright, very visually oriented (so able to do challenging puzzles etc.)

Some things do seem ASD - we need a schedule and visual prompts. But other things are so not.

Argh, essentially. And I know that his difficulties are mild, and that he will eventually learn the rules!

Right, got you.

It would just be great if they could help with the sleep wouldn't it?

Hi, BigWeeHag,
a few of your problems could be rectified by tinted lense (my son wears blue).
ear defenders and a weighted blanket for nightime.
However I am just a parent and these may not be what your child needs. For instance because of my sons heart condition he can't use a weighted blanket.
He won't wear his glasses as they are not dealing with his tactile!! However he will tollerate the ear defenders.
He also does all the OT therapies for all 8 senses. As well as the listening programme. HTH.

The optician just recommended the glasses this morning! I know he#ll tolerate them as he does wear sunglasses, so going to get them tomorrow. Weighted blanket is a bit more of a challenge, they are not cheap. Thanks! (And thanks for the PP, Peachy x)

My Mum has suggested a TV/ DVD in his room to help in the evenings, not a route I've ever wanted to go down. I am a little worried that it will just postpone the bouncing time!

bigweehAg my twins have tv in their room i find if tv is on they fall asleep quicker if we dont allow tv on they are up till 10/11pm maybe later messing about bouncing etc i dunno why but allowing them to watch the tv helps them fall asleep hth xx

Sensory processing disorder has been mentioned for one of my twins he loves stroking ppl's hair--even strangers on bus/train etc you can see him inching closer and closer to them just to stroke their hair, he is selective mute confirmed as well, has a thing about licking windows,billboards etc specially bus windows (yuck), he has no road sense whatsoever and thinks it is funny to run into the road, he has also tryed jumping onto train tracks when a train was coming into the train station luckily my bf was fast we now use a crelling harness for him.

He has no social skills whatsoever and has no friends doesnt even interact or talk to his twin at the unit they are in no-one would know they was siblings let alone twins.. his twin is currently being assessed for asd i dont nor do anyone else think daniel is asd but they do think he is sensory processing disorder and possible odd/adhd xx