We are a family of four, two boys, my husband, and myself. We are a newly diagnosed family, my four year old was just diagnosed with SPD. Since the news it has taken alot of me to adjust too. My husband on the other hand, is horrible with my son. He gets so frustrated and says that I baby him too much. He gives no help with him on days, and is refusing to come to the realization that our son has SPD.
So I have been on this long road of researching, doctors, and all the good stuff by myself. 
I have to admit that everything is a bit overwhelming for me, seeing how I have a younger child too. Is there anyone would recommend for a SPD child that I am not doing? He is going to see an occupational therapist once a week and a psych once a week as well. I’m thinking about maybe asking his doctor to refer him to a chiropractor, and a neurologist.
I look at things all the time that would help him with his SPD and everything is so expensive, wondering if there’s anyway or anything that helps out with expenses on stuff for our kiddos.
Comments
rachel white
hi. hugs to you! thanks for sharing! my family is like yours – husband, me, two sons (5.5 and 4). my 5.5 yr old is fairly newly diagnosed too. it was in august that we starting seeking evaluation. i think it can be harder for dads to come around, so try to be patient. god bless you in your search for the best things for your sweet, smart boy!
feel free to read my blog about our journey with SPD: http://www.whatsupatthewhitehouse.blogspot.com/
joining this blogging community has been a HUGE help to me! discovering that other people are going through the same experiences and dealing with the same feelings has been so helpful! i hope you feel supported, too!
remember that you are a strong, brave mama – your son’s best advocate and his biggest fan! you are the perfect person to help him with his struggles! and i trust you WILL be able to find more information, and more tools, as you continue on this path.
Beth C.
Hugs to you! The beginning of diagnosis can be so rough on a family, especially when both parents aren’t on the same page. I would suggest having your husband go with you and your son to a couple of OT appointments and have the OT explain the difference between poor behavior choices, and sensory issues. One your child has a choice and the other he does not. My son was diagnosed at 3.5yo and it was a rough transition for us as a family. frustrations ran high for both my husband and myself, but I think more so for him. He wasn’t home with T like I was, so it was harder for him to differentiate between behavior and SPD problems. It sometimes still is.
As far as asking for further referrals, I would ask your son’s OT what they would suggest. The can be a great resource on things that can help your child since they really get to know them.
This site is a fantastic resource. You are not alone! Hang in there, things get better… Not necessarily easier, but better.
Jenny from the Block
Hugs to you. It is so hard at first, but I swear it gets easier…not easy, but easier.
I remember feeling alone and overwhelmed, worried and sad. My hubby was not helpful at first, but has come around (still not where I am but better than in beginning). Pretty common with men, and I hope yours comes around in time. The best things I can say is to look into a sensory diet for your son. The OT is probably working on this, but you doing it at home, giving him that input (whatever it may be for him) will help. For my son, he needs to be tossed and spun and upside every day. He also needs some time where he can relax with repetitive activity or bean bucket, etc. My daughter needs impact, deep pressure, and cannot go without food for long or she is super un-regulated.
Some of the stuff you hear is confusing, like vestibular input. But a lot of the sensory diet can be worked into play. Here is a site for examples…
http://sensorysmarts.com/sensory_diet_activities.html
http://www.sensorysmartparent.com/sensorydiet.html
Does your son have any sleep or tummy issues on top of it all like so many do?
Hang in there! You are not alone!
mary
hi, I know it is crazy. I had one older kid while trying to get my youngest diagnosed. We have my child in occupational therapy. it is the best thing ever. I am lucky and the insurance pays for it. my advice is to get a great primary care doctor, who can refer you to any other doctor. also call around and see who can help. many occupation therapy centers will work out things with insurance companies. it is how they get paid. they want to help you.
They are also really kind to the older or younger siblings. my mom takes my oldest sometimes and we also make time for her so she feels special too. Maybe mama can take one kid, daddy take the other. share the responsibility with your spouse as much as you can. use your friends and relatives. ask around the dr’s may be able to recommend something as well.
I also do a lot of work on the phone. I know the dr’s really well so this helps out a lot. saves me a trip here and there.
Heather F.
HUGS Momma! It is hard to be the one doing all of the “work”. It took my husband a while to come around. I was even accused of “trying to find something wrong” with our son. The problem is that our oldest is just like dad-and dad totally has it too! Ask your OT for a sensory diet that you can do at home every day. Take life one day at a time. Like Jenny from the Block said, it does get easier…though never “easy”. I had a 1 year old when my older son was diagnosed…..he went with and played at OT too
Still does.
Mother of 2 Monkeys
I may be able to help you with at least one sensory item. Please email me at lorisears929@yahoo.com so we can talk.
Good luck!
Lori