Sensory Processing Disorder help in Raleigh area (Durham, Cary: chapel, movies) - Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, Cary - North Carolina (NC) -The Triangle Area - City-Data Forum

shanti1 · 12-31-2013, 09:38 AM

Hi, my four year old son is showing signs of having some sort of sensory issues. My husband thinks all of that is made up by dr and pharma. So, I am looking for some sort of help for me and my son to deal with the day to day struggles this causes. Does anyone know of any special pediatricians that might deal with these types of childhood conditions? Thank you

GarnerMama · 12-31-2013, 09:55 AM

Both of my sons had trouble with SPD. My older son is on the Autism spectrum and had a lot of problems...mainly with clothing and food textures. It really makes life hard for kids. They experience the world totally different that neurotypical kids. It's difficult to see our kids struggle with things that should come naturally. Our pediatrician (Growing Child Peds) referred us to Pediatric Therapy Associates. We went to the Garner office. Cindy Outman was a God send for my kids. Occupational therapy can really help. Both Growing Child and Pediatric Therapy Associates have multiple offices around the triangle and have websites. Check them out. Wishing you the best.

poppydog · 12-31-2013, 09:56 AM

SPD is treated through occupational therapy. You'd need to look for OT for that. I'm not familiar with OTs in Raleigh, but I'm sure there are some who specialize in SPD. I know in the Chapel Hill/Durham area friends have been pleased with Emerge.

shanti1 · 12-31-2013, 10:14 AM

Thank you. We will be relocating to the Raleigh area early Feb. He has never been diagnosed with SPD, just fits many of the symptoms. I have asked the pediatrician when he goes for his physicals yearly. They just shrug it off and say that he will grow out of it. Which I am hopeful he does but how do I help him in the meantime. We went for a hair cut today...last time we thought we were making progress. Today was a tough day. He confuses tickling sensation with hurting. We are supposed to go to the movies tonight. His 2nd time at the movies. We took him a few months ago to see planes. It was so loud that he had to wear his ear defenders the whole time. He only goes to the bathroom 3 times a day but asked to get up and go 3 times during the movie. I think he was overwhelmed and a bit scared but didnt want to show it. I feel like I am going insane some times because my husband says he does these things on purpose to be in control, which he is a control freak type but I feel in my gut that he is struggling with some things.

twingles · 12-31-2013, 10:27 AM

He's not going to grow out of it. SPD wasn't commonly heard of even 10 years ago so my DS never got a diagnosis (and I didn't even know what it was) but he definitely has it and it's getting worse....not better. He's 13 now. To say school is difficult for him is the understatement of the century. He has an ADHD dx but I truly think the sensory input is what really causes him the most grief. Clothing, food, too much noise, too many people - all of it is a problem. Middle school and I'm sure high school classes don't help the situation. My son is a twin and I truly think he'd be worse if he were a singleton, but he's always had his brother to model behavior and he follows that - I really think it's helped, but they are growing ever more distinct personalities as they get older.

Good luck.

Oh, and I had a friend in NY whose husband was the same way as yours - and her kid got kicked out of preschool at the end of the first year, and it was an "earthy crunchy anything goes" preschool - they told her in no uncertain terms that he needed a special ed preschool. So I don't think your scenario with the DH is that uncommon but he's wrong. My friend's child actually did great at the SPED preschool and was back in a regular classroom by 1st grade.

castleguy47 · 12-31-2013, 10:41 AM

I would definitely go with your gut. If you think your son may have SPD, get an OT consult or/and a consult from a developmental pediatrician. The sooner you treat symptoms the better the chances to improve sensory issues. I heard good things about Dr Moran in Apex, and there are several OTs in the Raleigh area as well.

CVAlicia · 12-31-2013, 01:04 PM

Why don't people listen to mom's gut instincts?! I begged my son's 2nd grade to teacher to take a step back from instantly assuming he was being awful on purpose.....that I thought something was going on. She flat out refused. I pulled him out of school and he was diagnosed with Asperger's.

We are trying to get in to Dr. Moran and we do go to Dynamic Therapy for Kids on Hwy 55 on the edge between Cary and Apex.

shanti1 · 01-01-2014, 05:49 AM

Thanks everyone. He did really well at the movies last night. Had a major argument with my husband who thinks all of this is made up. So, back to square one. :-(
Happy New Year to all of you

Pitt78 · 01-01-2014, 08:20 AM

My daughter was recently diagnosed with SPD. I asked her pediatrician for a referral to an OT. I believe you can get a screening done without the referral but I'm not sure. We go to Pediatric Therapy Associates in Cary.

sflgirl · 01-07-2014, 04:52 PM

I would recommend getting your son evaluated by a specialist asap. I had a gut feeling that something was different about my son when he was in preschool. The Pediatrician just kept telling us not too worry and that he will catch up and grow out of "these things." It turns out "these things" were meltdowns, auditory/ visual processing issues, inattentiveness, lack of participation in preschool, etc. Well a concerned teacher recommended we see a physician about his severe inattentiveness in 1st grade. The pediatrician then misdiagnosed my son as ADHD (inattentive type). We tried 5 different meds unsuccessfully and finally saw a Neurologist who specialized in Autism. After an hour and a half visit, the Dr. stated that his impressions were "Autism."

Well our FL school district disagreed & did testing (per my request) each year for 2 1/2 years. They finally declared him to be on the Autism Spectrum (high functioning) last year after conducting the ADOS test (an interactive and more accurate Autism test). We had a hunch he fell on the spectrum, but needed this on his IEP to qualify for better suited services.

After much dismay with the FL system, we too are looking at relocation to the Cary/ Apex area to find better services and resources in addition to a more family friendly environment!

Listen to your gut make sure your husband attends your Dr. appointments. It also helps to have your husband read some books/ articles on these topics. Once my husband watched the
show Parenthood, he turned to me and said "Our son has so many similarities to Max (an ASD kid with sensory issues too). Good luck and stick to your instinct!