1. Is SPD an ADHD Impersonator?Unpacking Differencesand Offering Strategies for Students withSensory Processing Disorder Danielle M. Eadens, Ph.D. St. Petersburg College Daniel W. Eadens, Ed.D.University of Southern MississippiFlorida Council for Exceptional Students ConferenceOctober 2012

2. Impersonator?SPD is a neurologically- ADHD is abased disorder where theneurological conditionbrain does not properly that involves problemsprocess and integrate with inattention andinput from the bodys hyperactivity impulsivitysensory systems. that are developmentally~Dr. Eadens inconsistent with the ageof the child. USDOEWhat would life be like if you were unable toOne childs recollection of her ADHD: ignore sensations as minor as the hum of a Not only do I have a tendency to flourescent light, the glint of sunlight on ainterruptbut the main problem I have is, window, or the rub of clothing against you need to think before you say your skin? Making sense out of the something that can offend other people, torrent of stimuli that continuallyor when you ask too many bombards us ~Matthew Belmontequestionstheyll say it makes them feeluncomfortable.Drs. Daniel & Danielle Eadens FCEC 20122 3. ADHDHyperactivity InattentionOften fidgets with hands or feet or squirms in seat whensitting still is expected.Often does not give close attention to details or makes careless Often gets up from seat when remaining in seat is expected. mistakes in schoolwork, work, or other activities. Often has trouble keeping attention on tasks or play activities. Often excessively runs about or climbs when and where it is not appropriate (adolescents or adults may feel very Often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly. restless).Often does not follow through on instructions and fails to finish Often has trouble playing or doing leisure activities quietly.schoolwork, chores, or duties in the workplace (not due to oppositional behavior or failure to understand instructions).Is often "on the go" or often acts as if "driven by a motor". Often has trouble organizing activities.Often talks excessively.Often avoids, dislikes, or doesnt want to do things that take a lotof mental effort for a long period of time (such as schoolwork orhomework). ImpulsivityOften loses things needed for tasks and activities (e.g. toys, school assignments, pencils, books, or tools).Often blurts out answers before questions have been Is often easily distracted.finished.Is often forgetful in daily activities. Often has trouble waiting ones turn. Often interrupts or intrudes on others (e.g., butts into conversations or games). 4 4. SPDBalance(prpr--spshn) Muscles Image courtesy of Asperger Syndrome & Sensory IssuesDrs. Daniel & Danielle EadensFCEC 20125 5. SensoryProcessing DisorderSensorySensory-Based Sensory ModulationDiscriminationDisorder Motor DisorderDisorderSensory SensorySensoryPostural Over- Under-DyspraxiaSeekingDisorderresponsivityresponsivityGraphic from: Kranowitz, C.S. (2005) The Out-of-Sync Child6 6. Sensory Disorder Subtypes Sensory modulation disorder Difficulty taking in sensation so that response, level ofarousal, and emotional tone are not appropriate to thesituation Includes children who seek/avoid sensations Sensory discrimination disorder Difficulty recognizing or interpretingdifferences or similarities in qualities of stimuli Sensory-based motor disorder Dyspraxia (planning movement) Postural-ocular disorder (controllingmovement) -Teresa Leibforth, OTR/L &Karen Nathan, OTR/L-SPD Fact Sheet for MDsDrs. Daniel & Danielle Eadens7 7. Overlapping Issues for SPD (Kranowitz, 2005)Some comorbid disorders might include: ADHD LD - Auditory Processing Visual Discrimination ASD Speech/Language Allergies Nutrition Emotional 8. Imposter Symptoms (Kranowitz, 2005) Red Flags indicating likelihood of SPD are very unusualresponse to: Touch, Being Touched, Moving, and Being Moved. Light Touches, Loud Noises, Flickering Lights, StrongOdors, being Tilted Backwards in a chair Those with ADHD Are Alert with these and thenbecome accustomed Some with SPD may not be alert to these sensationswhile others with SPD may be alert and not becomeaccustomed to the sensations Children with SPD prefer familiar and predictableenvironment (same-old, same-old ) and have poor motorcoordination Children with ADHD prefer Novelty and Diversion andexcel in motor coordination. 9. One size does not fit allDetermining if ADHD or SPD does matterTreatments are very different 10. Western Treatments ADHD: Behaviormanagement, PsychologicalApproaches,Psychostimulants/Medication SPD:SI Therapy and SI Diet Extreme Home Makeover, Vardon Family 11. Js Sensory DietHomeSchoolAM-Recess, including swings-Food side & toothpaste flavor choice (Accommodations per 504)-Music on the way to school -Special cushionPM-Body sock-Slant board (handwriting)-Trampoline -Sensory breaks-Finger strengthening (opportunity to get up,-Swingchair pushups, etc.)-Walk/ride-Sensory items as needed-Brain activating dance-Soft sherpa blanket & animals-Testing breaks-Classical music overnight-Preferential seating to-Alphastim (every 3 days) reduceRocking hold: as needed distraction/overloadTherapies: Acupuncture, Biofeedback, Occupational Therapy incl. SI TherapyPast therapies: Speech/Food Therapy, Physical Therapy (gross motor) 12 12. EEG Brain Research - ADHDIn the child with ADHD, the frontal part of the brain shows excess immature activity in the form of slow (theta) wave activity. http://www.sydneydevelopmentalclinic.com.au/brain_scanning.htm 13 13. Sensory Brain by Drs. Eide & EideMulti-modality teachingCompensatory sensesBuckner, WUSTL Matthews, Oxford14 Smith, U Nottingham 14. Multi-modal & Arts Instructional Evidencefrom Dr. Eide2Drs. Daniel & Danielle Eadens FCEC 201215 15. The Senses & Attention from Dr. Eide2Drs. Daniel & Danielle Eadens FCEC 2012 16 16. Observations from the medical field... In children with sensory processing disorders,behaviors often labeled hyperactive appear to beunreflective attempts to maintain sufficient arousalof their understimulated alertness centers to allowtheir brains to function in a useful way. Thats why,in our experience, "hyperactive" behaviors inchildren with sensory processing disordersfrequently sharpen their attention and improvefocus on our testing, rather than impair theirattention and performance. Fernette Eide M.D. & Brock Eide M.D. M.A.http://neurolearning.com/sensoryhyperact.htm 17 17. SPD Classroom Teacher Strategies Plan your lessons using Universal &Differentiated approaches that include plannedopportunities to build sensory opportunities Provide ways for kids to get their sensory needsmet as a part of your lessons (the needs will be met either you choose or they will) Do brain building activities that developconnections between hemispheres (music, braindance, brain gym, swinging side-to-side, motor & cognitiveactivities paired together) Know your kids and ensure that they get theservices they need, including early intervention forSPD.18 18. Inclusive Classroom Approaches Expect SPD to bediagnosed more commonly(including reclassificationof ADHD ifIndividualmisdiagnosed)& group Academic SPD: Increaseddataneedspartnerships with OT forearly screening andintervention planning Learning ADHD: More Stylesapproaches based on brainresearch Will become part of thedata used in planning amore effective learningDifferentiated Instructionalenvironment for ALLstudents Programming & LessonDrs. Daniel & Danielle Eadens FCEC 2012 Planning 19 19. Recommended Resources for Parents/Teachers Raising a Sensory Smart Child by LindseyBiel, M.A., OTR/L & Nancy Peske Answers to Questions Teachers Askabout Sensory Integration by Jane Coomar,PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA , Carol Kranowitz,MA, & Stacey Szklut, MS, OTR/L The Out-of-Sync Child Has Fun byCarol Kranowitz, M.A.Drs. Daniel & Danielle Eadens FCEC 2012 20