My 14 month old just got an unofficial diagnosis of SPD. Does this sound like your child?

MRDD came out and said our 14 month old is functioning on a 7 month old's level. They believe he has a sensory disorder. He starts OT and speech next month. He doesn't talk at all. No mama or dada sounds. Half the time he acts like he is deaf and can't hear us. he crawls to the edge of the bed and it's almost as if he doesn't realize he can fall off and get hurt. He HATES to have anything covering him up like a blanket. he also will not wear footed pajamas (He never has) and also hated to be swaddled from day 1. he obsessively matches toys and then picks them up and bangs them together. He does not "play" with his bigger toys at all. he enjoys little rings from a stacker, small balls from toys, and spoons and refrigerator magnets. he prefers to have two of those toys to bang together.




He has always been extremely fussy, throws himself back and cannot be soothed. It is difficult to get him to sleep and he won't eat anything that is round such as peas, unless they are mushed up. He also does not listen to simple commands, and has no reaction to other people's emotions. I'm sure there is more that I am forgetting! Please comment and let me know if you think this is SPD or just a delay. Thanks!



Comments for My 14 month old just got an unofficial diagnosis of SPD. Does this sound like your child?

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Jul 21, 2009
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starstarstarstarstar 		My daughter has SID
by: Wendy

My daughter Katelyn is 6 years old. She has a chromosome 9 rearrangement which causes her to be developmentally delayed a year and half. she was diagnosed when she was 18 months old. Just in the last couple of years we have found out she has SID. This alone has been the biggest battle.

She did not walk till she was 2, talk really till about 2. I had her in early intervention, ots and pts coming to my house twice a week until she was 3. The behavior issues came around 3 when she really started talking and running and so forth.

Potty training was impossible. She played in her poop and would paint walls, she was a very messy eater, and destructive of her toys. During all that time she really only found comfort in me, my husband,and my mother. She cried over soft music,vacuums, anything with a motor. She would instantly look at a person and as soon as they spoke if they gave her the wrong vibe that was it, she would freak.

She self stimulated and jumped around house in same direction for a length of time. They said she had PDD along with her chromosome abnormality.

Around age 4 I found a preschool who would except her without being potty trained. In that time One of her ots finally mentioned SID. I read books and got as much info i could find, I still am hunting for answers. Her school has a cross categorical class. Children with all types off needs. She attended it for the year this past year for her second year off preschool. She goes to Kindergarten this coming school year, the same kind of class for as many years as she needs it up to 4th grade. Its a great class.

However right now this past year has been a huge struggle. She is aggressive, yells, fights, and antagonizes her peers. Only when is larger groups or in to much excitement. Siblings are the worse. She likes to be touching you or up in your face and other kids do not really like that. She lashes out, sometimes laughing and sometimes growling. I just recently realized how this is not good for her or her siblings or peers. I always just hope that she would grow out of it or get used of certain things, but she is not and I have to make the proper adjustments to our life and environment to help our baby. Sometimes as parents we do lose sight of things and go on like everything is completely normal and its not.

I do have a 3 and half year old and it is a struggle for her to. She does not understand, so I have trying to figure out to handle that. Katelyn is a very smart little girl with a very rare chromosome abnormality but and very well known disorder. I always feel alone because your family and friends really do not grasp the reality of this disorder. I struggle with my own selfishness and wanting of a more typical child. But god gave me Katelyn, and I know I was meant to be her mommy and I have to be strong and do for her what she needs. I read a lot, and talk to her therapist a lot.
Jul 10, 2009
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starstarstarstarstar 		It could be a lot of things
by: Kim Sullivan

I don't think at this matter knowing EXACTLY what is wrong is possible. The treatment will be the same. I do recommend the use of sign language for basic words. I started with simple signs at first and in about two months he would make the sign and say the word at the same time. It was really cool and may help your child. I don't know if sensory problems, ADD, Asperger's or what it is officially my son has it involves sensory issues which makes socialization and concentration difficult. Keep treating the symptoms and do what works for him as each child is different. Good luck as things progress and I'm happy you have identified his needs at an early age because that will make a big difference.
Jul 10, 2009
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starstarstarstarstar 		My Experience
by: Anonymous

hi there, my son was 'unofficially' diagnosed at 18mths..he is now 24mths. He was exhibiting similar things...I wouldn't be so much worried about the 'label' right now...it is really tough to diagnose until they are over 24mths....so many of these 'traits' come and go in 'stages'...the key thing is to get your child into OT and speech. We got our son into 2 hours/wk speech and 1 hr/week OT at 18 mths...now at 24 mths he is chatting up a storm (he only had 5 words at 18mths --dada, apple, cookie, hi,bye)and his spd 'traits' ie. getting into tight spaces, not playing with trains/cars properly, fear of swings, falling off beds (no perception of heights) have all but disappeared! Keep positive and sit with the OT and speech and take all their recommendations. Good luck!

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