SPD Foundation Responds to Adam Lanza and Newtown Tragedy

The following comments are from the SPD Foundation, a great resource for parents and therapists alike:

Sensory Processing Disorder Foundation Comments on Adam Lanza and the Newtown Tragedy

Reports that Adam Lanza did not feel pain indicates he likely experienced Sensory Under-Responsivity, one of the six forms of Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD), found in virtually all children with an autism spectrum disorder. SPD often goes undiagnosed, but affects at least 1 in 20 children.

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Our hearts go out to the families impacted by the tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut.

Denver, CO (PRWEB) December 20, 2012

Dr. Lucy Jane Miller, Ph.D., founder and research director of the Sensory Processing Disorder Foundation, comments on how the reported symptoms in the shooter, Adam Lanza, are a classic indicator of a form of Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD).

“Our hearts go out to the families impacted by the tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut. Reports that Adam Lanza did not feel pain indicates he likely experienced Sensory Under-Responsivity, one of the six forms of SPD, found in virtually all children with an autism spectrum disorder. The suggestion that Lanza suffered a rare and exotic condition reflects the widespread unawareness of SPD. In reality, SPD is a common neurological condition that affects at least 1 in 20 children.

“SPD is not included in the fourth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-IV), published in 1994, which is typically used by health care providers to diagnose and prescribe treatment options. Unless identified in a diagnostic manual, like the DSM, children rarely get the help they need.

“When diagnosed and treated early, children with SPD are able to function well in society. Typically, treatment for SPD involves occupational therapy with a sensory approach. Unfortunately, lack of a diagnostic code means that treatment is not covered by insurance.

“Without treatment, children with SPD are at high risk for many emotional, social, and educational problems, including the inability to make friends or be a part of a group, poor self-concept, academic failure, and being labeled clumsy, uncooperative, belligerent, disruptive, or out of control. Anxiety, depression, aggression, or other behavior problems can follow.

“Earlier this month, the American Psychiatric Association (APA) announced changes being made for the upcoming fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-5). Despite an overwhelming amount of rigorous data, the APA did not include SPD in DSM-5. There was no explanation given for the decision. The next edition of the DSM is not scheduled until 2025 at the earliest.”

The SPD Foundation, in addition to forty-nine scientists from Harvard, Yale, Duke, and many other institutions, has been conducting and publishing research on the prevalence, etiology, phenotypes, treatment, and diagnostic markers of SPD.

For symptoms, treatment options, and recent research, visit SPDFoundation.net.

Dr. Miller is available for media interviews. To schedule an interview, contact Caraly at (303) 865-7636 or caraly (at) SPDFoundation (dot) net.

ABOUT SENSORY PROCESSING DISORDER FOUNDATION
The Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) Foundation, a Colorado 501(c)(3), offers educational programs, conducts SPD research, and provides resources for parents worldwide. Dr. Lucy Jane Miller, widely recognized as a leader in SPD research worldwide, founded the SPD Foundation in 1979. For more information, visit SPDNow.org or call (303) 794-1182.

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Welcome to the Advanced Pediatric Therapies blog!

Welcome to the new Advanced Pediatric Therapies blog!  Please refer to our website for information on our clinic including our staff, location and how to find out if APT is right for your child.  Our goal is to provide a forum that not only tells who we are and what we do, but also allows for fun, community and active engagement.  Please let us know if there is a topic you would like covered in the blog.  We want you to be part of it’s development.

So let’s get started!

We thought we’d tell you about the phenomenal weekend we spent with Patty Oetter.  Patty comes to us from a private consulting practice in California and is well known to OT’s as the founder of the MORE (acronym for motor components, oral organization, respiratory demands and elements of toys that can be used to promote all of them) program.  She has an easy and natural way with kids that makes them feel instantly comfortable.  It may seem unusual, but Patty tells us that the mouth is the starting point of development throughout the rest of the body.  We spent the weekend with not only all of us at APT but other local OT’s who gathered to hear Patty’s pearls of wisdom.  We all came out rejuvenated and ready to share our knowledge with all of you!  We want to thank the families who brought their children in to us for Patty to treat and also all our OT friends who came and helped make the weekend such a fun and educational one.

Patty helps EJ jump from the platform for the very first time!

The OT’s are the ones watching for a change…

Patty is the author of “M.O.R.E. Integrating the Mouth with Sensory and Postural Functions” which has a companion DVD.  At the course, we learned techniques for use of oral motor intervention strategies, respiratory strategies and postural development.  We also were reminded about the healing power of touch and the importance of the energy we feel from each other in the therapeutic process.   Ask your therapist for more information.  The most important thing we learned from Patty is that you have to work from where you are and not try to jump ahead too quickly.  That way all kids are able to feel successful.