What Causes SPD?

by Jeanie
(New York)

Is the cause for SPD known? I was also wondering if there is a genetic link? I suspect there might be. My daughter has it and I suspect my husband does too.

The SPD Help Line Answers...

The simple answer is that we do not yet know the actual cause(s) of SPD. However, we DO know that there appear to be many factors that predispose you to have SPD, or make SPD more likely. And, YES, there does appear to be a genetic component, although we have not proven any genetic markers yet. You would be amazed how many parents of SPD children are coming out of the woodwork (once it is identified in their child and they do the research about it) realizing they too probably have SPD that has gone undiagnosed all their lives. Have you seen the Adult Checklist?

As for causes and individuals who are "at risk" for developing SPD? Well, we do know that SPD is a neurological disorder that can begin in utero, or as a young child, due to many factors which can disrupt normal neurological development. If you understand that neurological development is a maturational developmental process that every child goes through, then you can also understand when factors might negatively impact that development.

Children at risk for having or developing SPD are those who:

1. Have Autism, Aspergers, PDD, or other spectrum disorders (which are neurologically based too).

2. Have been institutionalized or understimulated during critical periods of neurological development.

3. Have been tube fed for extended periods of time (due to decreased oral

stimulation and proper oral motor development).

4. Have Fragile X Syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, Down Syndrome, ADD/ADHD and other developmental delays and neurological disorders.

5. Were drug addicted during fetal development.

6. Have relatives with SPD, especially parents or siblings.

7. Do not receive proper, or enough, stimulation to all senses during development.

8. Had extended hospital stays, especially in the first year.

9. Have been exposed to a variety of environmental toxins.

10. Have food allergies.

11. Those with mental health issues (although the chicken/egg theory can be argued here), as it increasingly becomes apparent in adults.

12. Are gifted.

There are also individuals who can not identify a cause by any of the above, and for unknown reasons develop (or are "born with") SPD as well.

At this point, the thing to know and understand is that it is a neurological disorder. And, just as many causes of neurological disorders/issues are not thoroughly understood for other diagnoses, it IS real and it CAN get better with sensory integrative OT therapy, along with a variety of companion programs.

It is important to receive a proper diagnosis, even if not always clear what the origins are, and it is never too late to improve neurological development and processing.

Further studies need to, and are being done regarding the causes of SPD. We will just have to wait patiently to find the answer(s).

I hope this helps you understand it a little better. Wish there was a clear definitive answer I could give you.

Anyone else have any input regarding the causes of SPD? Let us know!

Comments for What Causes SPD?

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Jul 05, 2017
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SPD
by: EAB

My daughter was born with the chord round her neck and was not breathing at birth. She was taken away by the doctors and I did not see her for 24 hours. She survived.

She has always from the moment that she could move, rocked on all fours and still as an adult when under stress sits in a corner and rocks. She does not sleep for more than 4 hours maximum and cannot bear anyone touching her if she is stressed out.

She does not like being in the company of large crowds or social situations and tends to reject the rest of her family. I am wondering if because of her birth situation was she starved of oxygen to the brain and this created the difference in her. No other member of the family is like this.

I would be interested to hear if anyone else has experienced this after death/but survival at birth?

Mar 04, 2017
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Natural birth
by: Anonymous

I was sick a lot during my pregnancy with my daughter with SPD. Including flu, UTI, colds, pneumonia and diarrhea. I took antibiotics even though I really did not want to 3 rounds. Other than that I didnt take meds only herbal supplements and multi vitamin. She was born in home natural birth. I chose not to vaccinate her and she has never been severely sick. Though she was born soon after I had pneumonia and she had some breathing difficulties that I wondered if she got from that. She also has auditory processing as well. I wonder if it was my illnesses, antibiotics, or possibly genetics. Though there could be things I was unaware of as well.

Nov 16, 2016
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re: Grandson death
by: Ashley

Ma'am, I hope this finds you. My heart hurts reading. I have it severe and can't see people and live in a soundproof room, can't tolerate a lot. I too have all that you described. I know it is too late now, but I bet my soul on the fact your grandson had a tick-born disease.

I wish an autopsy could have been done. Seven out of 10 brains of dementia deaths, were found to have been infected.

Sensory triggers something in the brain. When you Central Nervous System is inflamed from infection, it also fires up chemicals in your brain. Causing a numbness state, anger, or emotion. I cry at sound of loud noise, a certain smell, for no reason, it's my brain. I've been flat or numb periods... after heavy sensory.

I urge you to read a paper by two top doctors int he field. "Carbamazepine in the Treatment of Lyme
Disease–Induced Hyperacusis"

Jenifer A. Nields, M.D.
Brian A. Fallon, M.D.
Pawel J. Jastreboff, Ph.D., Sc.D.

"Lyme disease–induced hyperacusis can be an intensely disabling, chronic condition that is accompaniedby posttraumatic stress disorder–like psychobehavioral sequelae."

Fallon is head of COlumbia Tick-born department. You can read more on his work with his wife Nields. They go into all of it.

My heart is with you. And I pray something comes of his passing that moves and shapes the future of this disease.

Oct 16, 2016
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Can SPD cause suicide in teens
by: Anonymous

Our beautiful, perfect 16 year old grandson took his life on Oct. 3rd. We are beyond devastated and have no answer as to WHY! He gave no indication at all that he was planning something like that. The only issue he ever had was what we think was SPD. He was unable to grip his pencil correctly because he said it hurt his hand. His writing was atrocious. He could not stand the feel of jeans, he couldn't stand to hear the sound of pencil lead on paper and he couldn't sleep at night. It seemed that on the last year he became more and more withdrawn and showed little emotion. We all just thought it was teen hormones. As statrd, we are all so torn up and trying to find our own answers as he left no note. Could this condition have caused severe depression?

Oct 05, 2016
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something to look into
by: Christina Swan

Hello! I love your page and just wanted to chime in with something I think worth looking at.

My son was a Hydrops Fetalis survivor. I caught a virus called Parco B19 when I was pregnant. This virus is known to be dangerous to fetuses. My son developed anemia and then Hydrops. It carries a 96% mortality rate. He was one of the miracles that survived. A few congenital developmental issues like a PFO and a cyst in the neck from a tract that never closed in utero. So his development in the womb was certainly affected. He also has SPD.

The thing most worth noting was the high number of SPD and ASD among the children that survived in our support groups. I'm working on getting actual numbers, but it's high enough to be something we feel is too coincidental to ignore. Thought I would share.

Jan 12, 2016
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Cause if spd ?
by: Mel b

I don't think c section has anything to do with it - I gave birth difficultly but kind off natural and my son has quite bad spd. He was a stargazing breach so they had to cut me to get him out, after two hours of pushing - his head was like a melon and he didn't cry at all, he slept solid for pretty much 2 days.

He was the perfect baby, I breast fed him and all he did was sleep eat n cry a little bit.

He was happy, content and so was I.

It wasn't until he had his mmr jab and he changed over night from a happy content baby to one that screamed continuously and stopped eating.

I'm not on the mmr band wagon but I refuse to let him have another mmr after that and if I have anymore children I won't let them have it either. Partly because I have had measels n mumps together and survived and can pass on my own immunity through breast milk.

Now when he had his jabs we ended up in hospital that night also with a measels rash. From that day he did change.

It could be a coincidence because he started to teeth at the same time and was also crawling at 3 months.

But I would just not risk it again... I think it's a combination of overstimulation in general - from what we put in our body and our environment, for instance PTSD can pass along the genome... What else don't we know ? An awful lot.

Oct 31, 2015
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sensory integration disorder and insomnia?
by: Anonymous

Yes!It's very true and so exasperating to go through endless nights with your child being right awake for hours. I used to try to put my son to sleep 5-6-hours but nothing worked. My child was also diagnosed with ADHD as well so his hyper activities would continue for hours in bed.

He loved white noise. One time he asked me to use a blow dryer to help him to go to sleep. It was the fan in the bathroom to blend the noise or the blow dryer since even my foot steps on a paper would wake my child. I was so desperate to get some sleep pattern for us. I tried to use the brush system but it seemed that he'd gotten more hyper at night. Like I mentioned in my last post I believe natural birth might have that special squeeze through the never and synapses would adjust themselves to the pressure. My son came out 10 days only because my doctor said that we don't need to wait since the baby is just gaining weight. So I didn't even wait since I was so ready to put my load down and rest.

Now that I've done my research I found out some cultures believe the mother should Waite 9months-9days-&-9 hours if she can.In those 10 days so much adjustment might have been done that science has not touched the surface of its depth yet.10 days early but now I'm living with it consequences. Again like I've mentioned the ultra sound,environmental factors,medications..etc if I had known my baby would cry with ultrasound, or would not even cry like other babies after birth because of epidural and if I was brave enough to endure the real pain of natural birth without any epidural to offer my child a more normal sensory tolerance since like I said in my last post natural birth is better.

Oct 30, 2015
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natural birth is a better option for the children
by: Anonymous

I think spd is linked to many factors. DNA from parets, environmental, diet,medications during pregnancy etc..I also strongly believe that the ultrasound might play a great role. Yes natural birth I believe will decrease the chance since the tight canal and the journey through the tight canal is for a reason. Otherwise when the time was due an opening would just a pear on the surface of the belly.

I wished I was brave enough to do a natural birth but I ended up with a c section. Through my child I got to know my own sensory integration disorder but my son's was more noticeable. I always blame myself what if I had let him to come through the natural squeeze to start the new life. Up to age 5 he did not want to leave my puch..meaning any tight clothing he would fit himself into it to a point of making my outfit all stretched up.may be if he had come naturally his sensory integration disorder would be mild like mine..who knows..in one of the ultrasound appointment I saw him crying or showing a great discomfort when the session started. I knew then my child was not happy with the sound vibration released. But again everyone has a different experience.Natural birth will help to initiate whatever is meant to be used on this side.

Sensory kids have issues with space around them. That could be decreased by the squece. It's all mathematical things meant to fall in to place.if one part of the equation is neglected the other side of the equation will be incomplete. Also the epidural thing might play a role. I hope science will the complete cure for it.

Jun 24, 2015
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C-section
by: Anonymous

Is there really a link between SPD and c-section babies? When I took my son to be evaluated the OT said there is a link between babies born via c-section. Something about how when a baby goes through the birth canal their senses are properly stimulated as opposed to just being pulled out of the stomach. She also said that a lot of her SPD patients were born via c-section. I've been trying to find more info on this and would be interested to know if there are stats or something that support this.

Jun 14, 2015
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infection
by: Anonymous

You are missing a huge huge component to this. infection. lyme disease. really isn't new but a lot of the times you won't know that you're bit. And as they study more about lyme disease- find out other means in which we could've been infected. I can't stress enough anybody Reading this that you go to a capable lyme literate doctor and have a test. They are huge controversies on what is the appropriate test for lyme and the appropriate treatment - it's just becoming so unbelievably rampant that it's forcing the government to pay attention and scientists around the world are working overtime to trying figure this out. But what I would say to anybody reading this is you want to get on the right side of this whole process get a Western blot test with your local doctor but preferably you need to go to a lyme doctor who specializes in it. most md's are clueless. http://www.ilads.org/lyme/about-lyme.php

Apr 16, 2015
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Sleep issues tied to SPD
by: Anonymous

Has anyone had sleep problems with their SPD child? Screaming for hours during the night? If so, has anything helped?

Jan 15, 2015
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Thank you
by: Anonymous

For sharing

Jan 14, 2015
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Clomid
by: Anonymous

Due to PCOS, i had to conceive with clomid. I had twin boys, they both spent near 2 months in the NICU. They both have sensory issues, one is sensory seeking and the other is sensory avoidant. I think NICU environment may have something to do with it.

Nov 10, 2014
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IVF and Sensory
by: Anonymous

Have you seen many mothers who had IVF conceived babies and then the baby ended up having SPD. I was just curious. My son about to turn 5 in November and I had IVF to have him. Sometimes you read about babies being in NICU too long with being poked and pulled at all the time or the bright lights on at the hospital. I am just wondering where the SPD started from, if there is an answer. He was premature - and was in NICU for a month. So any mothers out there that had IVF and have a miracle baby with SPD?

Jul 28, 2013
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Dropping heart rate a cause?
by: mumof4

While i was in labour with my now 4 year old, i kept holding my breath due to pain. His heart rate kept dropping. Although it was a very short 6 hour labour (short compared to the other 3), it was extremely painful. He was born with an apgar of 3/10 and was extremely blue.

My question is: Is there a link between lack of oxygen during birth or other development stages?
At 6 months, he suffered from bronchialitis, and was hospitalised over night. His oxygen saturation was extremely low at this time also.
I am just worried that this has caused something in his brain to either not trigger, or not develop properly.

He has been diagnosed so far with spd, in most areas, and we are now awaiting further testing to see if he has any other things.
Please email me at smalls84@live.com if you have any information.

Apr 18, 2013
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contributing factors to SPD
by: Anonymous

My now 4.5 year old daughter was diagnosed with SPD just before her 2nd birthday. She has had OT and PT for most of her young life.

I was older when she was conceived and was considered high risk. I was put on hospitalized bed rest at 30 weeks because of pre-eclampsia and intrauterine growth restriction. She was delivered via c-section at 35 weeks, but was only 4 pounds, the size of a 33 weeker. I had many ultrasounds during my pregnancy, probably 13, maybe more. I was also given steroids to help her lungs develop quickly. Her heartrate dropped during my inducement, hence the c-section.

She had typical preemie issue - inablity to maintain temp, poor sucking, low sugar, jaundice. She also still had her mucus plug and needed assistance with her first bowel movement. She spent 2 weeks in a Level III NICU.

She had reflux as an infant and eating was an issue until she was two. She hated table food and was on purees and yogurt for longer than your average child.

She cannot tolerate sun or bright lights. She HATES to have her teeth brushed! She screams when she is near loud noises, like a fire alarm or a public restroom hand dryer. Trips to the beach are impossible as she does not like the feel of sand.

She is bright! She has a great vocabulary and is very empathetic to others. We have started to see SPD rear it's ugly head in the classroom - aggression and inattentiveness. She cannot tolerate circle time because of the closeness of other kids. She seems to grasp concepts but chooses when to display her knowledge or skills.

Getting ready for public school and I am nervous about what the future holds.

Feb 15, 2013
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7 year old son cries whenever he loses
by: Anonymous

My 7 year old son cries whenever he is tagged at school by a peer, when someone scores on him in soccer, takes the puck away from him in hockey, wins at a board game,...pretty much every situation where he feels he is "losing", he starts to cry. It is very embarrassing for him and he insists he can't help it. Any suggestions on what strategies he should use to not cry whenever he is in a "losing" situation?

Feb 14, 2013
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Mold?
by: Anonymous

My daughter is 12 showed slight sx but this yeah has exploded. We have found we have had exposure to mold also so years unknown to us and she has allergies with eczema ongoing. No other Hx her SPD is severe and gets very aggressive. TV and video games is the worse things for her.

Sep 20, 2012
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Just learning about SPD
by: Anonymous

I have always thought that my son may have been adhd, but after checklisting, he doesnt seem to fit the criteria completely, and as a mum there is something telling me 'no' this is not the problem. I have just been alerted by the school regarding my son's 'sensory issues' and have completed the checklist and couldnt believe the amount that I could check myself off!! I believe it is genetic as my sister has some sensory issues also. Fingers crossed that we all get the right diagnosis and the therapy needed to support us in the future!

Sep 10, 2012
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is it spd
by: Anonymous

My son is 6 he is allways hurting people.Even to sit down.I was wondering i have been tod he has tactile processing difficulties .Is this a sign of spd.He has learning problems.Chalenging behaviour.Finds it hard to listen.Poor concentration.had global devolment delay.Didnt talk untill 4.Had a emergency c section due to a cord prolapse.He has no spatial awarness.He has lots of problems.

Jun 28, 2012
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Re: Induction
by: Anonymous

I don't believe induction could be a cause for SPD. I was induced with my first daughter who is perfectly healthy, however, my second daughter was born without any labor inducing drugs and she has SPD (at least that's what we've been told. We just got the ball rolling to see in-home therapists!)

Jun 25, 2012
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Induction
by: Anonymous

Is there any link to being induced during labor? I was talking to another mom during therapy and she was induced also with her child. Our other children all non induced are healthy.

Mar 07, 2012
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SPD
by: Anonymous

I have SPD and it is no fun. But you can do lots of therapy. It helps alot but does not cure it entirely. I have had to go though a lot of thereapy and it is not fun. I think well goin through SPD you want a comfort. Like hats, pomytails, blanket tags, ect.

Jan 29, 2012
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Twin boys~ one may have spd
by: Mom of 4

The youngest twin may have Spd. He does things that my other children never did and yes I know all kiddos are different. I noticed around 6 mos he was not holding a bottle and not babbling. He had delays in everything. I had talked to the health department and they got in touch with E.I.. He began development and physical therapy and it took along time before I saw any kind of change in him. His twin did everything above and beyond. My girls were early with all the milestones as well. So I felt like what was I doing wrong, because my child was so behind. He now has D.T. and S.T. once a week where they co-treat him and wow what a change in two years. He still doesn't talk much. He can say door but not much else. We have taught him to sign more, all done and toys. He flaps him hands when he is happy and excited and walks on his toes all the time. Very hyper and makes deep growling sound when he does everything. We go next week to see a Development Ped. so I hope I can get more answers to all my questions. The Ped wanted me to have him get a ferrtin test to check his iron. His iron is low so we will start meds soon to bring it up. So I hope after we see the dr. I will find out more. I know how hard having a child with spd is. I hope this helped anyone who may need it.

Jan 28, 2012
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Comment to latest posting with 2 yr old w/ SPD
by: Anonymous

I just wanted to comment to the latest posting with the 2 year old with SPD....my son was not talking at 2 either & I have learned a lot & gained a lot of support from the following group:
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/childrensapraxianet/

Perhaps it will help you too :)

Jan 28, 2012
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2 yr old Son may have SPD
by: Anonymous

My son just turned 2 this passed November. He's not speaking at all so I called and got him into Speech Therapy yesterday. The therapist brought to my attention that he may have SPD, but didn't really explain to me what it was. So my father-in-law researched it, and read to us what the site was saying and turns out it fits my son to a perfect T. I'm printing out the paper to high light the check list of signs he's showing with this disorder, and bringing it to his therapist next week as well as to his well check up with his doctor. I'm concerned though because it says mental disorders such as Autism usually causes this disorder. My grandparents as well as my in-law's always said they think he might be slightly autistic because of some of his behaviors so I'm going to bring that up with teh doctor and therapist as well. I was just wondering how, if there is any- how treatment works for this? I don't wanna see my baby in a tube for cat scans and x rays, shots and blood sample and all of that scary stuff. And I'm also concerned about my chances of any of my other kids developing this disorder. I have a 3 year old girl that may possible have ADHD according to her speech evaluation yesterday as well. But shows no signs of SPD from what I've read. I'm also pregnant with another girl and am scared to death of having another child with this disorder. I'm a young mother and my husband and I weren't prepared for any of this, up until yesterday we though we had a normal little boy with just a speech delay.

Nov 28, 2011
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7 year old son
by: Anonymous

I am just getting started on learning more about this disorder. My son was conceived through infertility treatments...taking Chlomid to achieve ovulation. I took progesterone for 3 months to "maintain" the pregnancy due to the fact that I have a hormone imbalance that causes miscarriages. I too developed preclampsia 5 weeks prior to delivery. This seems to have a lot of consistency on this page. Thank you everyone for giving me hope! We are getting ready to start the process of having my son evaluated for OT. It's good to know that it helps:)

Nov 22, 2011
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4 yr old with SPD
by: Anonymous

My son like others listed is often revved up! He flaps his arms and fingers when excited and speaks at a high volume as well as rapidly. He has little to know interest in fine motor activities. We have ruled out Autism. Aspergers as well. He is very social. He appears to others as very excited. Insurance doesn't pay for ot or speech. We are exploring private treatment. Does anyone have any thoughts?

Oct 27, 2011
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SPD? 15YO
by: amanda

My daughter is now nearly 16. she showed signs of SPD always. did some OT / PT in early elem seemed to help. recently has started exhibiting some seizure like behavior. is this the spd?

background - i was preescamplisc - she had mecomium stain and first apgar was very low.

she always wanted to be on her feet and has always been very verbal. talked early and has always seemed to understand on a higher level compared to peers.

started some 'touch' therapy and seeing a functional neurologist.

Oct 20, 2011
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5 year old has SPD
by: Anonymous

My daughter was diagnosed with SPD (sensory seeking) before age 3. The umbilical cord was around her neck and she was delivered by emergency C-section after a very long labor (induced a week past due date). She was fine and healthy nonetheless although required hypoallergenic formula in addition to breast-feeding.

Besides the birth trauma, I have now recognized that I was also sensory seeking, having broken in excess of 30 bones over the years in various activities. I had problems listening at school, however was also the only gifted child in my school.

We saw the SPD stuff even as an infant as did her daycare. As she got older and mobile, childcare also observed a very heightened fight-or-flight reaction to perceiving other children too close to her and acting out in response. She is a very sweet and empathetic child but other children would often view her as aggressive at those times.

We enrolled her in PreK under an IEP when she was 3-4 years old, but the school staff neither believed in nor understood SPD. She suffered horribly emotionally and socially and required a lot of play therapy, etc. to get to where she is now. She is now in kindergarten and has been recognized as gifted (which was strongly suspected for some time).

Oct 03, 2011
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9 yr old w/ spd
by: Andy

I continue to worry about my 9 yr old son (Owen) he too was premature (4wks) and since then has been unable to resist flapping his hands & fingers. We were able to rule out autism/aspergers early..he is social but is to the age where his hand flapping is excessive and noticeable to peers, and will no doubt affect his socialization. OT & speech therapy early to help curb & develop his need, or part habit we're not sure which, but to no avail.

Does anyone else have experience w/ this unusual manifestation of SPD?

Sep 27, 2011
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causes SPD
by: Anonymous

My son has mild symptoms of SPD. Neither my husband nor I have any symptoms, although, my mother-n-law says my husband ran on his toes when he was young. I was administered some narcotics (not sure which ones) the week I delivered my son for severe pain which ended up being my kidneys beginning to fail from preclampsia. I also delivered 4 1/2 weeks early and had gestational diabetes, therefore my son was unusually large for gestational age. I had 3 to 4 ultrasounds. The pushing part of my labor was rather long, I pushed for over 4 hours as he was stuck. Then he was born with severely low blood sugar & it fluctuated (at one point it went down to one) for the first 4 hours of his life. I feel as though there could be numerous factors that contribute to the SPD symptoms he has.

Sep 15, 2011
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low fluids or a lot of ultrasounds
by: trying to find the reason

Both of my children show mild signs of SPD. I did have low fluids with both. So that could be a factor. But I am really leaning towards having a lot of ultrasounds. I was considered high risk with both children because of age, high blood pressure, and previous miscarriages and therefore had MANY ultrasounds. I know they say they are safe but in the last 20 years SPD has increased in children and so has having ultrasounds. Anyone else having a child with SPD also have more than 10 ultrasounds? Good luck to all.

Sep 11, 2011
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Early delivery
by: Wendy in Tacoma

I had my son 4 weeks early because he was getting so big and we didn't want a C-section. I had an amnio 4 weeks early to determine his lung function. The test put me into labor. I was going to be induced the next week if the function was good. One test came back good. The other one would take a week. Regardless, I went into labor. He was 8lbs. 5 oz. 28 days from my due date. He was fine despite having low blood sugar at delivery. He didn't talk until well after 2 years. I was told being the 2nd child that was normal. I was lucky to get him diagnosed @ 3years as a sensory seeker. I was a psych major and couldn't understand why all the things I tried didn't work. He has done great w/ therapy! He has improved upper body tone and strength and is much more modulated. I feel I have the tools to help him. I always wonder if his early birth contributed to this issue. They say that the last month is crucial to lung function, I just wonder how crucial it is to neurological development as well. There is so much we don't know. I feel lucky that a well informed pre-school teacher was able to hear my behavior concerns and steer me to an OT. I wish the same for everyone else.

Aug 04, 2011
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No Labor Problems Here...
by: Joy

I didn't have any problems in labor with my daughter except meconium staining on the way out. She wasn't breech. I went totally natural and she came out quickly... I think it's a hereditary thing, myself. And I wonder if vaccines contribute. She was fine until around 2 years when she got the MMR... anyone else?

Aug 03, 2011
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C-section
by: Anonymous

My son is 5 and has been in OT and speech therapy for his SPD since he was 3. He was a breech baby and a planned c-section. I often wonder is he was breech because of muscle tone issues, or was he "taken out" too early - thus causing the SPD. He was small compared to the babies in our family by over a pound - and he is now a normal (quite tall, normal weight) 5 year old.

Jun 08, 2011
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DEMORAL (Pethidine)
by: Anonymous

I had Demerol at the very end of a long labor and I feel this is the cause of my daughter's SPD and anxiety.

May 19, 2011
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6 out of 12!
by: Anonymous

My son just turned 5. He was diagnosed at age 2 with SPD and OCD, and is now considered Aspberger's. I experienced a very long and hard labor with him - he was caught on my pelvic bone and I came VERY close to a c-section. He spent eight long days in the hospital badly bruised and jaundiced.

He is now considered gifted, as he reads on a second-grade level, writes well, and speaks like a little adult! Lastly, he has a dairy allergy - if he consumes dairy, it drastically affects his behavior.

As I research further, I realize a lot of my struggles in life were a direct result of SPD as well. I have varying degrees of Adult SPD, and many family members and I have been treated with clinical depression.

I think it's safe to say, according to this checklist, we are the epitome of an SPD family! :)

Apr 23, 2011
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two for two
by: Raven

My daughter was diagnosed with SPD when she was 2 and now that my son is almost 3 he has also been diagnosed with it as well. They have the same disorder but they have different forms of it. My daughter is extremely intelligent but sensitive to anything that touches her, my son craves pressure and has no fear at all he has a hard time feeling pain.

my confusion isn't with what causes it because i'm almost sure it was either a genetic trait or the fact i had a severe hormone imbalance while i was pregnant with both my kids. I'm more concerned with the fact that two siblings from the same two parents have the same disorder but on opposite scales. In my opinion a hormone imbalance during pregnancy seems to make more sense in contributing to a disorder like this. The pregnancy hormones contribute a great deal to the fetal development. My hormones were so out of the norm with both pregnancies my doctor told me it was a miracle i had my children and he doesn't want me to have any more. I'm 23 and am doing everything i can to understand this disorder my personal theory for my children having SPD is the hormone imbalance I have.

Mar 25, 2011
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Low Fluids During Pregnancy linked to SPD?
by: Anonymous

Has anyone out there ever heard that low amnionic fluids during pregnancy could cause SPD? I was just reading on a different site that low fluids caused this for another mother and my daughter is 31 weeks pregnant now and experiencing low fluid issues. Further more my step daughter had a baby last June and had to be induced 3 weeks early because of Low fluids and now I am concerned about SPD with my grandson that was born in June. My nephew has SPD and I wonder now if my sister that had him had low fluids.. I am thinking back and believe she did have that issue. Please let me know if anyone else has heard of this link.

Mar 25, 2011
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Gifted?
by: Joy

I have read a lot about SPD on the internet since finding out that my (then 2 year old) now 3 year old has it. One thing I don't see mentioned very often is #12 on the list of contributing factors: giftedness. Delaney has been in intensive OT for about 3 months now and her therapist has said that she appears to be gifted (learned her letters at 14 mos, can subtract and add, has an extensive vocabulary). I am really interested to hear if this is the case for anyone else.

Feb 06, 2011
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premature
by: logans mom

My son has trouble with speech he is 2 years and three months old he was 6 weeks premature and also had open heart surgery when he was 5 months I took to a speech and OT the other day and they think he has SPD because he was premature they told me that your censor regulator is one of the last things you develop before you are born and premature babies most of the time have SPD but my husbands sister daughter will be three in June and still can not put words together we think she may have SPD also I have a lot of the symptoms of it myself and so does my husband

Jan 08, 2011
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to Lavina; Causes
by: Anonymous

Wow! That would be a much-needed area of research: familial link. Not only that, if you don't mind, perhaps causes in regard to later-onset or adult onset of SPD. Are there EVENTS which trigger the dysfunction in a previously "well" person? Medicines ingested? Vaccinations? Emotional disturbances? Shocks to the system? Prolonged nutritional deficiencies?

Yes, if a genetic or other cause/s could be linked to this dysfunction (and maybe even specific manifestations of the dysfunction, like vestibular or proprioceptive with this cause or that cause, oral sensitivities with this cause, etc.), it could open a door to a wealth of understanding which would in turn lead to more efficient treatment methods/protocols which are more accurately targeted therefore having faster and more complete results. I would love to hear more about your progress. Keep us posted about your research, Lavina. You could make a tremendous difference!

Dec 16, 2010
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Demerol given to me in pregancy
by: Anonymous

My son is now 5 and has sensory processing disorder. I was given demerol during pregnancy to alleviate pain associated with a twisted fallopian tube. I strongly believe the drugs morphine, demerol and fentanyl that were administered to me in my last trimester were responsible for my son's learning disabilities. Does anyone else have a link between painkillers in pregnancy to learning disabilities in your child?

Nov 24, 2010
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causes and treatment
by: Anonymous

About the genetic link,none of my family members seem to have it..where as my son is diagnosed with it.

Even the diagnosis is varying with various therapists.

As a parent i feel that the field of study is yet to form standards for labeling the problems.

Its quite a harrowing experience to listen to new tags every time.

More or less its a guessing game.wonder how the treatment would be possible if the diagnosis is on only guesses and assumptions.

As my therapist says, dont go by labels...just identify the issue and start addressing it .
that's the best way out.

Nov 10, 2010
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Re: no one understands
by: Anonymous

My daughter just turned 11 on November 5th. She is coming along very well. It seems that she has adapted very well to her sensory disability, not showing too many symptoms. OT was just discontinued for her in June.

I did not look into a support group. My advice is to treat her as normally as possible. Provide appropriate discipline when and where necessary. Do not play up her disabilities, accept them and teach her to accept them and not be ashamed of them. Work with the OT person, she can also be brushed, or taught to brush herself as a calming measure. Don't listen to others who do not know, just follow your path.

Nov 10, 2010
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No one understands
by: Anonymous

My dth was adopted. We have had her from birth, she was a drug baby with 4 different drugs on board. My biggest problem with her SPD is that I dont understand it myself so there for how can I explain it to someone else, even my family just sees her as a behavior problem. I want the best for her but how do I get the. She has been in OT since she was born. Are there any support groups around to help us as parents help our kids. I live in Ohio. Please help me help my precious gift.

Jun 01, 2010
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Causes of SPD
by: Lavina Payne

Hi. I am a parent and a PHD student about to start my dissertation. I am very interested in the causes of SPD and also hypothesize that there is a genetic link. It appears that more research still needs done on this topic and I would love to be a part of it. Do you think me researching a familial link to SPD is beneficial? Or do you think more research needs done or could be done on treatments for SPD? Thanks.

Sep 04, 2009
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what toher programs besides OT
by: Erin L.

Hi Michelle, In YOUR posting for the answers to what causes SPD, you mentioned it can get better with OT and other programs. My dtr has SPD and is getting OT , But we need smell more support for behaviors and cognitive development. can you please specify what other programs you were referring too. My daughter has now started kindergarten and we have lost all the groundwork of everything we have accomplished over the last three years, and feel a acknowledge of support from the school. Please email me at erileu@gmail.com with any info or help that u can suggest. Thanks in advance, ERIN Leue.

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