Week 8 Podcast Idea

I have decided to post 200 words on this topic because a lot of the comments on my text from peers regarded the age at which SPD is generally diagnosed. After editing my webtext, I discovered for myself that I had never indicated an age at which SPD is diagnosed. Therefore, I chose this topic for my audio as an answer to the questions I had received from peers. I hope that once they have a better idea of when it is diagnosed, the audience is able to visualize and imagine for themselves what a child’s life is like with this deviation. This podcast will not simply repeat information that my audience will read in the webtext. Rather, it will help them better understand an individual’s life with sensory processing disorder. Maybe it will cause them to recall their days as a young child. This may in turn reveal to them how difficult it would have been to function without their proprioceptive and vestibular systems functioning properly.

The prevalence of sensory processing disorder in children is at about 5% of the general population. However, for people with diagnosed developmental disabilities, the rate of sensory processing disorder is estimated to be from 40% to 80% (Hubbard, 2010). There is not an average age of onset, or diagnosis, but research has shown that sensory processing disorder is most commonly diagnosed in the early stages of childhood development; anywhere from 3 months old to 5 years old; though parents can generally sense when something is “off” about their child after only a couple months. Symptoms and behaviors may become more severe and noticeable as a child enters a school setting. As a result, a diagnosis is made once the condition is severe enough that it significantly impacts the child’s daily life.

Although it is most commonly diagnosed in young children, more cases are coming up where older children or even young adults were misdiagnosed earlier in life with other disorders, like ADD for example, and doctors are just now re-diagnosing them with sensory processing disorder. The down-side of being misdiagnosed early in life is that the form of sensory processing disorder will only continue to worsen as the child ages because it was left untreated for so long (Morris, 2010).

Early diagnosis is best because it leads to early intervention. Early diagnosis also increases the chances of a successful intervention. Younger children’s brains are still developing which allows them to change more easily while older children may benefit from therapy but the results may take longer to achieve. Children who receive treatment at younger ages also benefit because they acquire the skills they will need to succeed in school. Another benefit of being diagnosed during the earlier stages of life is that it can prevent secondary problems from developing like acting-out behaviors, temper tantrums, or low self-esteem. Early diagnosis also prevents teachers and parents from stereotyping these children as “aggressive” or “weird” (Miller, 2006).

·         Hubbard, S. (2010). Diagnosing Sensory Processing Disorder. Retrieved from      http://www.kidsdr.com/daily-dose/diagnosing-sensory-processing-disorders

·         Miller, L. J., Fuller, D. A. (2006). Chapter 3: Assessment and Diagnosis. In Kranowitz, C. S. (Ed.),   Sensational Kids: Hope and Help for Children with Sensory Processing Disorder (pp. 43- 57). New York, NY: Penguin Group.

·         Morris, M. (2010). Age of Onset of SPD. Retrieved from http://www.sensory-processing-disorder.com/age-of-onset-of-spd.html

Week 6, Summary 2

This article tells the story of Karen. She had surgery right after birth to repair birth defects and then was went home immediately with the message that she would be like any other little girl. However, as Karen’s neurological disorders and sensory integration problems began to surface, the mother, Liz, was sent into emotional turmoil. Unlike her twin, Karen was a screamer and lacked the ability to regulate herself and her moods. Nothing would comfort the poor child. Liz did some online research and discovered The Out-of-Sync Child: Recognizing and Coping with Sensory Processing Disorder. As she read the book, Karen’s behaviors began to make sense and she realized that a key component of treatment involved an occupational therapist. Liz quickly found an OT to provide Karen with sensory integration therapy to increase her regulation of sensation. However, there was only so much the OT could do. The rest of the family quickly began to fall apart and Liz sought therapy and was prescribed with antidepressants. The family worked hard to establish a routine, divide child care responsibilities, and spend time together as a family. Liz and her family decided it best to remodel their house to accommodate their children’s needs for larger play area. In the meanwhile, the occupational therapist continued to treat Karen in hopes of improving her condition, and, as a result, strengthening the family unit. Today, Karen is a fun-loving girl who still responds differently to environmental stimuli but the family now sees it as her way of adjusting to her body and the environment around it.  

Reference:

Wittman, P., Velde, B., Lamm, S., Mohler, M., & Thomas, L. (2007). Lessons learned about mothering a child with a sensory modulation disorder. Exceptional Parent, 37 (3), 52-53. Retrieved from CINAHL with Full Text database.

Week 6, Summary 1

This article explains a subtype of sensory processing disorder known as sensory over-responsivity. It lists some of the characteristics of children that struggle with sensory processing disorders including getting upset after hearing certain noises, being light-sensitive, and only being able to wear 100% cotton clothing. A young girl initially diagnosed with sensory over-responsivity was taken to a psychiatrist, diagnosed with juvenile bipolar disorder, and was prescribed numerous medications. The mother of the child is writing in to a psychologist asking whether or not she thinks her daughter should be placed on medication. Dr. Jennifer Brout is a psychologist dedicated to learning more about sensory processing disorder and its affect on mental health. This article is her response to the mother’s question. She explains that mood swings are common in children with SPD. Further, individuals diagnosed with SPD often jump from being calm one minute and irritable the next. Therefore, sensory-responsivity often appears to be bipolar disorder. In order to diagnose, one must observe the child’s irritability and trace the source of it. When children are irritable to specific sensory stimuli, it is a general indication that bipolar disorder is not the problem. Another characteristic to look for is the location where sensory stimuli may be irritating and whether or not the child acts out in those kinds of places (lunchroom, supermarkets, etc.). Unfortunately, differential research to distinguish between the two (bipolar and SPD) is hard to come by because SPD along with its subtypes cannot be found in the DSM-IV, the tool used to diagnose mental disabilities.


Reference: 
Brout, D. (2008). Sensory over-responsivity or juvenile bipolar disorder?. Exceptional Parent, 38 (7), 48. Retrieved from CINAHL with Full Text database.

Week 5; Summary 2

This fact sheet was really helpful to me for gathering information on sensory processing. However, it is difficult to summarize because it’s not in paragraph format but rather bullet points; but, I’ll try my best…

First, it is important to note that sensory processing disorder is a developmental disorder in which individuals have problems perceiving information from the outside environment. It is most prevalent in males and the majority of kids who struggle with SPD also suffer from autism. Problems in functioning include behavioral issues, attention disorders, and delayed reactions in fine motor skills as well as daily life skills. Features of SPD include marked impairment in the processing and integration of sensory inputs (i.e.: pointing to a picture, sitting in a chair) which interfere with daily activities.

Children with SPD generally have mothers who struggled with prenatal and birth problems including illness during pregnancy, pre-term, and complications during labor and delivery. Children with SPD also develop slightly different than the average child. For example, they may have entered the crawling phase later than “normal” or they may have had difficulties sleeping and/or feeding.

Other subtypes of sensory processing disorder include sensory modulation disorder, sensory discrimination disorder, postural-ocular disorder, and dyspraxia which all affect daily functioning and the performance of life skills.

Spiral foundation: Sensory Processing Institute for Research and Learning (2006). Physician Fact Sheet: Sensory Processing Disorder Signs and Symptoms. Retrieved from             http://www.thespiralfoundation.org/pdfs/Fact%20Sheet%20for%20MDs%20PDF.pdf

                                                                                                                                                                              

Week 5; Summary 1

In her article, Internal Senses, Michelle Colletti provides the reader with a knowledge of the sensory systems; namely, the proprioceptive and vestibular systems. She explains that the body contains millions of tiny receptor cells called proprioceptors. These receptors relay messages to the brain regarding when and how the body has moved. This provides our body with a sense of where it is in relation to the external environment.

Our vestibular system is one that sends information to the brain when the head is in motion. She uses the example of turning our heads once we hear our name called. The vestibular system is the system that tells our brain that the head is in motion. The brain is only receiving information from the brain and therefore concludes that only the head is in motion, not the rest of the body. This system has a very significant impact on everyday functioning.

The Reticular Activating System (RAS) is an area in our brainstem whose job it is to “wake us up”. The vestibular system sends information directly to the RAS. This is a reason that children with sensory processing disorders cannot sit still: they are trying to keep themselves awake by providing themselves with outside stimuli to do the job. Therapists often suggest “heavy work” for children with sensory processing disorders because it helps inhibit excessive vestibular activity that may otherwise cause problems (i.e.: lack of attention).

For the body to function accurately, it must gather the proper information from the external environment to provide itself with an internal sensory picture, or body scheme. The information from proprioceptors located at joints and muscles help coordinate body movements to cause appropriate functioning. Children who have sensory processing disorders do not receive the necessary information to provide them with an accurate body scheme; resulting in a general clumsiness.

The vestibular system sends messages from the brain to the muscles and joints, keeping them firm and ready to respond (muscle tone). Children who struggle with sensory integration often have low muscle tone, which means that the information regarding outside stimuli is not being sent to the nervous system.

One way that occupational therapists help children with sensory processing disorder is by providing them with sensory input that allow their bodies to move and their muscles to work in hopes of strengthening both the proprioceptive and vestibular system. The more activities they participate in that they enjoy, the longer their attention span will be.

Colletti, M. (2009). Internal Senses. Retrieved from http://www.watersedgehealing.com/articles/Internal_Senses.pdf

“According to the American Occupational Therapy Association, occupational therapy is ‘skilled treatment that helps individuals achieve independence in all facets of their lives. Occupational therapy assists people in developing the 'skills for the job of living' necessary for independent and satisfying lives’” (Rudy, 2007). Commonly, occupational therapists work with patients who have suffered from serious injuries like car accidents, burns, or strokes. As a result of their injuries, they generally have trouble performing daily tasks like writing, brushing hair, or grabbing something out of a cupboard. Recently, occupational therapists have expanded their treatment plans so that they are able to work with those who need sensory integration therapy for sensory processing disorders. Occupational therapists treat children with SPD by providing them with activities that teach them how to properly respond to the information their bodies receive from the outside environment. In hopes of teaching children how to better direct their bodies in space, therapists use things like swinging, brushing, stability balls, and bikes. This also helps strengthen their awareness to outside factors around them. Therapists also give the child opportunities to improve their communication and social skills by utilizing play activities (i.e.: social stories to encourage abstract communication rather than literal). Occupational therapists also develop plans to assist patients in making smooth transitions from task to task. This could involve showing them a picture schedule to illustrate what their next activity is or where they are going next. Schedules give the child time to prepare for the next activity by adjusting during the transition. Therapists also develop methods to enhance the learning process. This may include giving the child a sensory break on a mini trampoline after each completed task or having the child sit on a stability ball to keep them focused.

As far as finding a qualified OT goes, some schools hire their own occupational therapists to work with a number of various students while others may be contracted by the school district. In general, family physicians may refer parents to specific therapists who design intervention programs based on a child’s abilities. Most of the time, occupational therapists are funded through different forms of health insurance and sometimes even through Medicaid.

• Rudy, L.J. (2007, August 21). Occupational Therapy and Autism: The Basics. Retrieved from  http://autism.about.com/od/whatisautism/a/OTBasics.htm

 (The second line with the HTML won't indent on the posting and it doesn't remain indented when I copy and past it from my word document so I hope this is ok. Let me know if you need me to change anything.)

Summary One

Sensory processing is the way the nervous system receives and translates information coming from the outside environment. In other words, sensory processing, also known as sensory integration, is how the body perceives exterior information acting upon it. Upon receiving the information of what’s acting upon it, the body responds mentally, physically, and behaviorally, making the appropriate adjustments. Abnormalities occur when there is a problem interpreting the received outside information. The received information is misinterpreted, causing the individual to either respond improperly or not respond at all. This abnormality is known as Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) and affects one out of every 20 children. However, this disability is not limited to only children. It can affect both children and adults and its severity can range from a mild form to more severe cases that impair daily functioning. Those with SPD may also struggle in various social settings because of their difficulty responding to the environment around them. However, it often goes misdiagnosed, leaving individuals without treatment or therapy- left to try and make sense of the world around them. While the cause of the disorder remains unknown, research points to genetics, birth complications, and even environmental factors as possible causes.

• Bialer, D.S. (2010, March 4). Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual- 5^th Edition (DSM-V). Retrieved from http://summit-education.com/dsm-v/spd-and-the-dsm-v-doreit-s-bialer/