Sheila
Moderator
This is specific to co-existing conditions most commonly found with sensory processing disorder (SPD), but the same principal applies for most of the disorders you'll see discussed on this site.
From https://web.archive.org/web/20080110225611/http://www.sinetwork.org/aboutspd/dialogue.html :
Barbara Hanft, M.A., OTR, FAOTA, and "a concerned parent"
Dear Barbara,
We just got back more test results on our son, Pat. Along with sensory processing disorder (SPD), he has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), specific learning disabilities, mood disorder, and central auditory processing deficit. As I have progressed through this maze of testing during the last couple of years, it is amazing to me that, now, after the fact, the specialists are saying how common it is for all these to be present in one child. As a parent whom I think is pretty well informed and connected, I find it amazing that no one ever told me to look at these other afflictions!
On my own, I started reading and pursuing the ADHD angle, with the school giving me false information and discouraging me from going down this avenue. Once, however, I started down this path of discovery of ADHD, the mood disorder was discovered, and I was told how common it is in kids with sensory processing disorder (SPD). From that direction, we found our way to the auditory processing people who, once again told us how common it is to have this condition co-exist with sensory processing disorder (SPD).
While we feel very fortunate to have uncovered all this, be it a bit late, why didn't someone talk to us about this in the very beginning? Are there any other disorders that are closely associated with sensory processing disorder (SPD) that we should be on the lookout for? It is so frustrating for a parent to think that they "figured out" their child, only to find out, after the fact, that it was only a small portion of the picture.
What can/should a parent do? How can we be expected to be experts in all fields? We have started Pat on Prozac to deal with the mood disorder. In a few weeks we will start him on something to deal with the ADHD. Hopefully, we'll see a change for the better. We are still going through the transition from school to summer vacation and things are a bit rocky. I constantly marvel at the everyday situations that most parents and kids take in stride, but how hard it can be for kids like Pat and their families. Am I on the right track? And, what are other areas to be looked at that are closely related to sensory processing disorder (SPD)?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Barbara's response:
I understand your frustration and bewilderment. We all want finite answers to our questions when it comes to our children, especially when things aren't going according to our plans. It would be great to think sensory integration therapy could be that one answer, but it isn't.
Part of the problem you are referring to is one that arises out of disciplinary perspectives. For any individual child with learning and behavior problems, the M.D. may diagnose ADD or ADHD, the psychologist a mood disorder, the Occupational Therapist (OT) sees sensory integration, the speech pathologist points out an auditory processing disorder, and the teacher sees a specific learning disability and so on. Each discipline has a narrow focus and defines brain function by what they have been trained to see.
In addition, these diagnoses are really only words used to define one aspect of brain function or dysfunction. It's similar to the parable about the blind men touching an elephant for the first time and describing it by the one part they come in contact with. There is a very large overlap between sensory processing disorder (SPD) and other disorders such as learning disabilities (Learning Disability (LD)), ADHD, executive function disorder, auditory processing, obsessive function disorder, and Tourette's syndrome, to name the most common. This is because the brain does not operate in discrete parts there are connections, based in neurochemistry, throughout the entire central nervous system. If there is a breakdown in processing in one part, it affects other parts. The positive side to this equation is that different parts of the brain can "help out" when neural pathways are not operating efficiently.
One of the "fuzzy" aspects of the disorders you mentioned is that they are processing problems based in the brain's biochemistry versus a specific factor, such as a tumor. For example, I have read of cases where medication for ADHD "unmasks" one of the associated disorders, such as obsessive compulsive disorder (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)), because of the change in brain chemistry. The medication does not cause the Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), which is exacerbated with the biochemical changes in the brain.
There are two books that I have found useful in understanding ADHD, Learning Disability (LD) and associated disorders:
Dornbush & Pruitt. (1995). Teaching the tiger: A Handbook for Individuals Involved in the Education of Students with Attention Deficit Disorders, Tourette Syndrome or Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Comings, D. (1990). Tourette Syndrome and Human Behavior
Finally, and most importantly, go easy on yourself. The issue isn't pinning down what to call "it" as much as overseeing your son's progress in school and at home and asking questions when he isn't moving ahead. Of course, this includes securing services like Occupational Therapist (OT) or speech therapy or medication as needed. However, we can make ourselves crazy filling our child's day with therapy and educational activities and lose track of this: No one but a family member is going to look at the big picture and make sure a child is happy and fits into family life on a daily basis. Your son is a child, not a collection of diagnoses.
Sincerely,
Barbara Hanft, M.A., OTR, FAOTA
From https://web.archive.org/web/20080110225611/http://www.sinetwork.org/aboutspd/dialogue.html :
Barbara Hanft, M.A., OTR, FAOTA, and "a concerned parent"
Dear Barbara,
We just got back more test results on our son, Pat. Along with sensory processing disorder (SPD), he has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), specific learning disabilities, mood disorder, and central auditory processing deficit. As I have progressed through this maze of testing during the last couple of years, it is amazing to me that, now, after the fact, the specialists are saying how common it is for all these to be present in one child. As a parent whom I think is pretty well informed and connected, I find it amazing that no one ever told me to look at these other afflictions!
On my own, I started reading and pursuing the ADHD angle, with the school giving me false information and discouraging me from going down this avenue. Once, however, I started down this path of discovery of ADHD, the mood disorder was discovered, and I was told how common it is in kids with sensory processing disorder (SPD). From that direction, we found our way to the auditory processing people who, once again told us how common it is to have this condition co-exist with sensory processing disorder (SPD).
While we feel very fortunate to have uncovered all this, be it a bit late, why didn't someone talk to us about this in the very beginning? Are there any other disorders that are closely associated with sensory processing disorder (SPD) that we should be on the lookout for? It is so frustrating for a parent to think that they "figured out" their child, only to find out, after the fact, that it was only a small portion of the picture.
What can/should a parent do? How can we be expected to be experts in all fields? We have started Pat on Prozac to deal with the mood disorder. In a few weeks we will start him on something to deal with the ADHD. Hopefully, we'll see a change for the better. We are still going through the transition from school to summer vacation and things are a bit rocky. I constantly marvel at the everyday situations that most parents and kids take in stride, but how hard it can be for kids like Pat and their families. Am I on the right track? And, what are other areas to be looked at that are closely related to sensory processing disorder (SPD)?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Barbara's response:
I understand your frustration and bewilderment. We all want finite answers to our questions when it comes to our children, especially when things aren't going according to our plans. It would be great to think sensory integration therapy could be that one answer, but it isn't.
Part of the problem you are referring to is one that arises out of disciplinary perspectives. For any individual child with learning and behavior problems, the M.D. may diagnose ADD or ADHD, the psychologist a mood disorder, the Occupational Therapist (OT) sees sensory integration, the speech pathologist points out an auditory processing disorder, and the teacher sees a specific learning disability and so on. Each discipline has a narrow focus and defines brain function by what they have been trained to see.
In addition, these diagnoses are really only words used to define one aspect of brain function or dysfunction. It's similar to the parable about the blind men touching an elephant for the first time and describing it by the one part they come in contact with. There is a very large overlap between sensory processing disorder (SPD) and other disorders such as learning disabilities (Learning Disability (LD)), ADHD, executive function disorder, auditory processing, obsessive function disorder, and Tourette's syndrome, to name the most common. This is because the brain does not operate in discrete parts there are connections, based in neurochemistry, throughout the entire central nervous system. If there is a breakdown in processing in one part, it affects other parts. The positive side to this equation is that different parts of the brain can "help out" when neural pathways are not operating efficiently.
One of the "fuzzy" aspects of the disorders you mentioned is that they are processing problems based in the brain's biochemistry versus a specific factor, such as a tumor. For example, I have read of cases where medication for ADHD "unmasks" one of the associated disorders, such as obsessive compulsive disorder (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)), because of the change in brain chemistry. The medication does not cause the Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), which is exacerbated with the biochemical changes in the brain.
There are two books that I have found useful in understanding ADHD, Learning Disability (LD) and associated disorders:
Dornbush & Pruitt. (1995). Teaching the tiger: A Handbook for Individuals Involved in the Education of Students with Attention Deficit Disorders, Tourette Syndrome or Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Comings, D. (1990). Tourette Syndrome and Human Behavior
Finally, and most importantly, go easy on yourself. The issue isn't pinning down what to call "it" as much as overseeing your son's progress in school and at home and asking questions when he isn't moving ahead. Of course, this includes securing services like Occupational Therapist (OT) or speech therapy or medication as needed. However, we can make ourselves crazy filling our child's day with therapy and educational activities and lose track of this: No one but a family member is going to look at the big picture and make sure a child is happy and fits into family life on a daily basis. Your son is a child, not a collection of diagnoses.
Sincerely,
Barbara Hanft, M.A., OTR, FAOTA
