Sensory Processing Disorder

In my previous post, I touched a little on this disorder.  Unfortunately because it is not listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, then many children will go undiagnosed.  From my understanding, the DSM-IV is under revision and set for publication in 2013 to the DSM-5(fifth edition).  Hopefully Sensory Processing Disorder will be included so psychologists and physicians will have another reference point when it comes to diagnosing and treating children and adults.

This is a center in Denver Colorado that works with children diagnosed with Sensory Processing Disorder
http://www.starcenter.us/

A parents guide to understanding Sensory Processing Disorder/Sensory Integration (Exceptional Family Resource Center)
http://www.efrconline.org/admin/files/Parent'sGuideToSI.pdf

PDD-NOS, ADHD, Sensory Processing Disorder Oh My

These past couple of months have been very stressful for my family.  My son who is five was exhibiting behaviors in his kindergarten class and school that we had never seen when he was in preschool.  After being told my child was autistic,  had ADHD and my husband and I needed counseling (and that came from someone who had no right to make those judgements and diagnosis) we decided that we were going to have him evaluated to prove this person wrong.  After fighting with school personnel and the district  we paid for an independent evaluation, and my son was diagnosed with PDD-NOS (http://www.autismspeaks.org/what-autism/pdd-nos).  Needless to say we were shocked by the diagnosis, since these behaviors did not manifest until he started kindergarten.  He was evaluated by the school district at the age of three, and was diagnosed as being speech delayed with no signs of a developmental delay, or Autism.  Our pediatrician was pretty much shocked by the PDD-NOS diagnosis and suggested that we look into ADHD since the evaluators were leaning to that diagnosis, but did not reach a consensus. In a quest for an answer and to get some more information we consulted with an independent psychiatrist, and we were told to look at Sensory Integration Dysfunction or Sensory Processing Disorder http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1689216,00.html. After reading more about Sensory processing Disorder and speaking to this expert with more than 30 years of experience, the more I believe this is it!!!  The problem with this disorder is not too many people are equipped to spot it or some just don't believe the disorder exists.  I have mentioned this disorder in meetings with the school psychologists and with his pediatrician and my concerns were quickly dismissed.  One might ask, why not be satisfied with the diagnosis you have, get treatment and move on?  Well, I feel that the diagnosis that we have is not accurate, and I don't believe in medicating a child unless it is necessary.  I know that I am not a professional, but right now I have to follow my gut and explore all of the possibilities and variables.   I want the best for my son, and if we are going to do this, I want to get it right.  As a parent it is my job to protect, educate and make sure that my child is getting the best and ACCURATE care that is available to him. One thing I can say about all of this, my son's speech pathologist and his teacher have been supportive, patient and loving.  I don't think we would have lasted this long without them.