My story of hope for those with SPD

by Rebecca
(Newcastle, NSW, Australia)

I was a lucky one. Though treatment was uncommon in the early 90s, my mother heard an OT speak and identified that therapy may help me. Though I had two years of therapy (with exercises for 1 hour everyday) I never knew a name for what I have nor met anyone else with such problems. I have a Vestibular Dysfunction and Proprioceptive Dysfunction. Aside from the effects described on this website of these, I also had great trouble sequencing. I remember the OT saying that due to the lack of movement in my inner ear (Vestibular Dysfunction)my brain was lacking stimulation. Though a smart kid, I was at a point in school where I felt like I might have to drop out and I was only in year 4!

A huge turning point for me was my mother massaging me firmly with moisturizer, sago balls, and a face cloth all over my body each day. I would first lie on my back (in just my undies), then on my front while my mother ran it over me. I remember the tingling feeling and miraculously my spelling turned around in one week!
Other activities included cross body coordination activities, learning to catch with coosh balls (have rubber threads on them to stimulate grasp), being spun in each direction 100 times (it was impossible to get dizzy), rolling, compression on my joints to stimulate them, and learning how to handle "tools" (utensils, pencils)etc.

Books I have read have said that if you are not treated by a certain age then there is no hope for you. I was passed this age when I was diagnosed, then was on a one year waiting list yet now have limited problems after getting help (and after hours and hours of a diligent mother who had a lot of other things to do with 4 other kids). Yes, I still crave to be squashed, find myself holding my seatbelt SUPER tight,get really frustrated to be treated as a "girl" when all I want to do is do the "fun" things with the boys - adventure, fast, hard, rough activities, and hate light touch. I also have muscular pain from using mainly gross muscles rather than minor ones.

I have learned to copy others in how they move their body and that helps. Elbows in! -The best key to less pain I have learned so far!
The pain of this experience is still real but I cope pretty well and am still learning how to do some things. I want to encourage you you CAN improve. I also wanted to really honor parents who give of their time and money to improve the quality of a child's life. I couldn't do so much of what I love today if it wasn't for my dedicated mother. To these parents I applaud you and thank you for you giving of yourselves. I can't thank you enough.