10 year old daughter behavior SPD

[kbajak]

Hi, my daughter is 10 years old and I've found out that she exhbits sensory disorder + anxiety back since she was 4 years old. she only wore one tshirt and one skirt...nothing else no matter how cold or hot it is..and no matter the occasion..which inevitably got us home-ridden most of the time. She used to refuse changing her underpants saying all the others are rough and extremely "uncomfy' ..i had to wash them and blow dry them every SINGLE day till they become impossible to wear..when they do we go through a helluva tantrum until we find another one that may feel comfortable (she used to wear wet underpants saying that it makes them feel better and i stretched new ones to make them feel worn out and "comfortable") ..we came along way now..she has 5 favourites, and i keep getting the same ones all the time..

The socks issue is still problematic though but we are fixed on one kind which we get regularly for school..so we are progressing somehow..she also needs to be cosntantly told to brush her teeth and comb her hair EVERY SINGLE TIME..however, the moaning is less and the whining just gets milder..so i just wanted to let you know that there is light at the end of the tunnel :) and I guess it does get better with time..

I have read somehwere that children with SPD are usually either diagnosed with another behavioural disorder such as ADD or ADHD or Asperger or ---Anxiety. We have a high anxiety levels especially in new surroundings, after school activities, swimming classes..etc..the anxiety levels are really high sometimes that she feels sick in her stomach, dispalys heart palpitation, diarrehea and tears up.. we maintain our schedule most of the weeks, and if we have a new activity to do, we read about it and prepare for what's to expect ..it  really helped so much!

Just like all parents, her dad and me still educate ourselves as much as possible about SPD and Anxiety, however, we havent seen an OT for proper diagnosis, could be because my daughter is highly sensitive and intelligent and I don't want her to feel that there is somehting wrong with her (being labelled) ..PLUS we live in the middle east and I have very little trust in medical professionals here - out of experience - their incapability can cause lifelong psychological scarring on her, I fear..

I guess since she's improving vastly year on year, this means we must be doing something right, no?!

[Sandman2]

   Specialmom has lots and lots of ways that you can help your daughter.  Do communicate with her here or here --- http://www.medhelp.org/forums/Sensory-Integration-Disorder-SID/show/1396
      One other thought.  It might be good for her teachers to know and understand how SPD affects your daughter.   There are certainly things that they can do in the classroom to help her with her sensitivities.

[specialmom]

Hi there. Well, my son is the same age and has sensory processing disorder as well.  have you done occupational therapy with your daughter?  We found that tremendously helpful!  My son began when he was 4 and was released last year!!  Yep, long time.  But a lot of the tactile defensiveness you describe was overcome through the brushing protocol that OT's do.  Has your daughter done that?

My son's sensory issues are quite manageable.  But the things you describe such as preference for clothing and socks, we still have 'some' of that.  I see it as really not a big deal.  I can shop around for socks for him that are comfy, etc. And I guess we are lucky with a boy---  athletic pants or shorts are all pretty comfortable, t shirts and sweatshirts work well.  They just have to fit properly and I know what he won't like and just don't buy it.

Now, one thing that keeps my son regulated and so things like tactile dysfunction bothers him less is regular heavy exercise.  My son swims on a competitive swim team and has practice 3 to 5 times a week.  This makes a world of difference.  He also plays flag football and baseball in the fall and spring, and basketball in the winter along with his year round swimming.  We have a trampoline, we ride bikes, he can swing, etc.  These activities I'd say are 100 percent the key to a sensory kid being well regulated.  

Okay, I see you never did OT.  My son said to me once "every kid should do therapy---  it's fun".  Ot is set up to entice kids to be there with the activities feeling fun.  I don't know about the middle east though and what stigma's there are and what could happen.

Treating for anxiety is something that you may also consider.  A psychologist would do talk therapy.

If you'd like to know how to do the brushing, I can help you with that or at home activities you can do for her that are OT types of things to help with her sensory system.  We had ot for 1 hour a week and the rest of the time was things we did on our own.  good luck (will help any way I can)