I got to work today and in my morning read through my favorite SPD (Sensory Processing Disorder) discussion page I came across an article. This article stated that the Diagnostic and Statistic Manual (DSM) has decided to officially exclude Sensory Processing Disorder from their 5th edition. I realize that to most this seems like it would not really matter, but in my world, it so does. This manual has also gone as far as to not include Aspergers and instead a child will just be labeled as on the Autistic spectrum. I'm so saddened, these children do not deserve to be pushed into a single category when so often the things they experience are so vastly different. We are supposed to be making strides to help our children succeed and decisions like this take us ten steps back. We have already had to push (far to hard) to get our son the care he needs. I feel so blessed that we started this process when we did, a year from now I might not have been able to do what we've done to this point.
Through a diagnosis of Sensory Processing Disorder we were able to get him occupational therapy and in with a fabulous counselor. Six months ago my son would not ride a tricycle, was terrified of being off the ground (unless he was in panic mode), wouldn't try new foods, woke up from night terrors constantly, fought writing or any fine motor skills activities. Last week he painted his face and chose to wear a short sleeve shirt. He is sleeping through the night most nights now. His meltdowns are getting fewer and when they do happen they don't last as long. He is beginning to feel when he is getting out of sorts and will often separate himself before it gets to a bad place. He is learning to trust people and build relationships with his peers. It is beautiful.
And all I can think of is how many children will go without the kind of services that he has received because a medical manual has chosen to not recognize that this exists? And what about my son? What category will he be put into now? I'm not giving up. We have come too far as a family to do that. We are learning to be more aware of things and I will continue to educate myself in every way possible. Our sons SPD is not as extreme as many face, but it did change the way we have to parent and who he is. But the more I learn the better I am able to understand him and our other son. I view things in a different light and am a better mom because of him.
Here is the link to the article. http://app.e2ma.net/app2/campaigns/archived/1403154/49078b0d39a2460fe7363967ffa10d81/
