Daila's Diagnosis

Well the results are in . . . . Daila has been diagnosed with sensory processing disorder.

What does this mean?

Sensory Processing Disorder is a neurological disorder causing difficulties with processing information from the five senses, the sense of movement (vestibular system), and/or the positional sense (proprioception). For those with SID, sensory information is sensed, but perceived abnormally. We all have a little sensory sensitivity; preferences on food texture, sensitivity to light, being barefoot or not, etc. But for kids with sensory processing disorder the information is processed by the brain in an unusual way that may cause distress or confusion.

This sensoryfun.com link helps explain what this means by giving examples of how our senses work together to help us interact and function in life. These examples are such basic things (like opening a door) . . . when our senses process normally, we don't even think about how our body is processing the stimuli to help us get along.

Sensory Processing Disorder is often diagnosed in conjunction with other neurological disorders like ADHD or autism, but can also be its own independent diagnosis like in Daila's case.

How did we know?

A couple of indicators:
Daila didn't crawl, she scooted. She has trouble moving across her midline at times. She didn't walk until she was 2 years old.
She still wakes up several times at night and can't self-soothe. (We sense things internally, not just externally.)
She has severe separation anxiety and is fearful of social situations.
She seemed to throw fits for no apparent reason.
She gets upset when routine changes without warning or when she doesn't understand the schedule.
She is very verbal and active at home, but not with others (and not just strangers; sometimes cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents).

And all of these things sound like a normal 3 year old when considered in isolation. But the combination of circumstances led us to believe that there was something else going on.

What now?

Daila will need to go to preschool and occupational therapy. It takes her a little longer to process information so she needs lead time. She needs to know what to expect from people in movement and behavior. She needs to be guided to know how to interact with others and disciplined with sensitivity and understanding. If a babysitter, or aunt, or cousin, just got upset with Daila and raised his/her voice without apparent warning, Daila would freak out and withdraw, avoiding further interaction with that person. She wants and needs to know what to expect and what is expected from her. Well, we all want that. :) But Daila needs it to function properly. She needs help understanding what is happening around her. When playing with her, Daila feels more comfortable if you talk through what is going to happen. Otherwise she seems to behave like a "spoiled brat". But I promise we didn't raise a spoiled brat . . . she just doesn't understand the situation because she can't process it like we do.

There are lots of different "types" of sensory processing disorder. Daila is under responsive which means she seeks certain stimuli. (Like spicy food! She loves dipping her chips in salsa and chewy thai deer jerky.) So she will LoVe playing with you, as long as she knows what to expect. If you pick her up and play a "falling" game where you lift her up and down, she will get anxious. But if you pick her up and say, "Oh, you're heavy! I think you're slipping! Oh no!" and then let her fall a little, she will be fine. In fact, she'll probably start giggling before you lower her. She also likes to hang upside down . . . just not without warning. So it's pretty easy to accomodate her, when you are aware that she is sensitive.

Now the big trick is balancing her needs with her typical 3 year old manipulation of wanting to get what she wants. :) And educating other adults on what works best for your child (who otherwise looks and acts like a normal easy going child).

One lady (a substitute for Sunbeams at church) was trying to be helpful. She didn't see me motion to Daila to come back and talk to me. She reached out and grabbed Daila's arm to keep her with her class. Daila was so upset we had to leave church early. Easily avoided if she only knew she was dealing with a sensitive child.

We are learning a lot with this experience and I can't wait to see some results . . . I hope I'm doing the right things for her. There are positives and negatives with having a "diagnosis".