Sensory Processing Issues

[Friday]

The “Everything Listed Under Autism” Schtick is mostly political/insurance based, here in the US. Largely because Early Intervention costs 10s of thousands of dollars without insurance, and IEPs/504s require all accommodations to fall within the scope of the diagnosis, schools are required to pay for that Dx (quirkly enough) AND hire sufficient Paras to cover the number of students, but are only reimbursed for certain conditions. Autism? Is completely funded under Early Intervention and covers virtually every IEP/504 accommodation under the sun.

Parents, Schools, & Clinicians are all using the autism “umbrella” for insurance, funding, and accommodation purposes.

I don’t know anyone in the special needs community, early childhood education/intervention, or clinical practice (or for that matter most average Joe parents on the playground) who thinks it’s all autism. It’s SPD or Dyspraxia or Dyslexia or Dysgraphia or ADHD or GAD or OCD or G&T or or or... and that’s what gets discussed, under their own names, with their own unique issues... but since the money is in Autism? That’s the box that gets ticked on the paperwork to make it easy and fund the programs.

Autism is the most watered down diagnosis out there, which is really sad.

Equally sad, is the kid who has a super treatable condition who has to wait years for all the school hoops to be jumped through to actually gain access to programs that already exist, and are staffed and funded, and could infinitely improve both their school performance & life.

Politics :wtf:

 

[EveHarrington]

OMG.

I’m reading this book and seriously want to cry.

Yes, it’s hitting on the sensory issue all too well.

A woman remarks about being treated for ptsd, depression, etc, but always knowing there was something more because therapy and meds didn’t quite fit, didn’t quite do enough.

This pretty much sums up how I’ve felt.

The book is...

“Too Loud, Too Bright, Too Fast, Too Tight: What to Do If You Are Sensory Defensive in an Overstimulating World” by Sharon Heller

I can only read so far into the book for now with my kindle preview. My hard copy arrives Saturday.

I read elsewhere that potassium supplements can help with the overstimulation issue. My potassium also arrives Saturday. Lol. Gotta love Amazon.

At this point I’m willing to try just about anything. This symptom cluster causes so much distress in my life!

 

[EveHarrington]

I am interested to know if this is the same as sensory processing disorder as there seem to be similarities.

I think that there are multiple names for the same symptom cluster?

I think the disorder is a diagnosis for kids, but not adults? At least that’s what I’m gathering from what I’m reading. Which, IS a shame considering that it’s not something that everyone outgrows...... and no diagnosis code means insurance won’t cover any treatment. :-/ Kind of why I’m scouring the Internet looking for ways to help myself!

 

[Fadeaway]

@Junebug the hypermobile joints was a reply to @jacat.

Yes I sleep with my arm above my head, but I sleep almost completely face down with my upper body turned one way or another.

The SPD symptoms are what I know realize I had as a kid and that the SPD was a manifestation of anxiety. That line that goes across your toes in socks and tights could cause me to have a total melt down. I also chewed my pencils to shreds and bit my nails and sucked on my hair.

I am super sound sensitive. Typing can hurt the skin on my fingertips. Major temperature intolerance. Pain/ uncomfortable sensation from holding a pen or pencil. Some sounds cause physical pain like the rustling of plastic grocery bags. Can't handle a lot of smells like bleach, and vanilla is trigger smell I am rarely light sensitive though. Food texture sensitive. Love the flavor of onions but can't do the texture so I use onion powder.

 

[Tinyflame]

Thanks @Fadeaway . Yes I have some of the same issues- textures and things.

Here's a funny one- I can't even sleep on my back but I do if it's hard to breathe with my arms up. I googled it and they call it The Starfish- starfish sleepers (so they say) are above average listeners and don't like attention. Which is me. (I think 'we' hog the bed though. :) )

I suppose the upside with sensory issues, is that comfortable. pleasant ones are really great or comforting, versus the bad ones are really bad. :(

 

[EveHarrington]

Magnesium has helped me in the past but it also can agitate me so I’m off it for now until I start taking my liquid supplements again.

I read about a disorder called hypokalemic sensory overstimulation so I started supplementing with potassium and I swear it helped. I read about it first on an autism board where parents gave their kids potassium supplements and it reduced their reactions. But, word to the wise, there’s a reason why the capsules are only 99mg... Now I’m trying to figure out the right dose. Hopefully I can figure it out with the pills, if not I’ll switch to a liquid. Since the half life of potassium is only a few hours, it must be taken multiple times a day for maximum efficacy.

Don’t just take my word for it, please do some research!

 

[HealingInProcess]

This is some interesting stuff. Thanks all for sharing.