So What Exactly Is SPD?
If you happen to be like me, Sensory Processing Disorder [SPD] is a new experience and a bit confusing. Okay, it is really confusing. As you start to read all of the checklists and behaviors that might be associated with said disorder, you start to think “hey, I have that.” or “OMG, my child has that for sure!”. The fact of the matter is that everyone has some of the behaviors on the checklists and that is absolutely typical. It is true. What makes it a disorder is that it affects one’s ability to complete tasks, learn, and / or communicate. The sensory issues are so severe that they impact daily activities of living [ADL].
History:
While SPD may seem like a relatively new phenomenon, it was studied by Dr. Anna Jean Ayred, PhD, OTR since the 1960s where she coined the term “sensory integration dysfunction”.Ever hear of the book “The Out-Of-Sync Child” by Carol Stock Kranowitz from 1995? This author touches on SPD and that was in the mid-1990’s. Since then, starting around 2007, Sensory Processing Disorder and Sensory Integration Disorder have become more widely studied. HOWEVER, there is no actual ICD-9 medical code for SPD. . . YET. An ICD-9 is a diagnostic code used by medical providers, OTs, etc. For example, Down Syndrome has a ICD-9 code of 758.0 Without an ICD-9 code, billing to insurance and obtaining therapies is rather difficult.
How is it that a disorder that has been around for over 50 years does not even have its own diagnostic code? How is it that there is no definitive diagnostic tool for SPD?
http://ellietheurer.blogspot.com/p/sensory-processing-disorder.html
The Chronicles of Ellie Bellie Bear continues because I want the world to see what I see just how wonderful and utterly perfect my daughter is, designer genes and all. That our little Bear-Bear has more determination and motivation than most adults I know and that she is surpassing all of our expectations. That, yes, there are challenges and yes, sometimes thing are hard, but Ellie is our beautiful, sassy daughter who completes our family.
*A note from DS Advocate Blog writer, Nancy Linley-Harris: I like to share fellow bloggers stories that help educate society to a better understanding of 'our world' of raising a wonderfully unique person with Down syndrome. If you are interested in having one of your stories featured and shared on one of my blogs please send me a link to your story.
HaPpY Blogging!!
Nancy ~ DS Advocate
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