Johnny was recently diagnosed with Sensory Processing Disorder! In my last post I included a video which I thought explained in short what spd was. I still have a lot of questions myself! He started with a speech pathologist about a month ago for speech delay and as we were working (trying to, that is) she noticed that he couldn't focus because he constantly "needed" to move! So, she had an occupational therapist come in to evaluate him and sure enough she diagnosed him with this disorder. As far as the video, John is definitely a "seeker"! He does best when at the park spinning and swinging. He will spend hours in the swing if you let him! He doesn't much care for food but feels the need to chew vigorously! Even while watching tv, he has to pace back and forth. He gets very overwhelmed when around a lot of people (like a Solberg family party)! It's too much for him all at once and then people are in his face trying to get him to play! The therapist said he'd like to first get out of the situation immediately but since he can't he usually screams in their face as if to say "Please, BACK OFF"!!I feel very blessed to have found amazing therapists! The OT that is going to work with him is the best in the western suburbs and specializes in this disorder! They also told me he's lucky that he's in that 10% that only has sensory issues. As they said in the video, 80% of kids who have this are also diagnosed with some other disorder (Autism, aspergers etc..) They assured me he was way to "social of a guy" to be Autistic. In some of my research and talking with the therapists, it seems most kids with spd grow up to have ADD? The good news is we caught this very early and he should hopefully be caught up to his peers by kindergarten (that is the goal)! He'll be ok, I'll make sure of it and he now has a special angel looking over him! I know she'll make sure he's ok too! She's probably in heaven worrying about him right now :)
