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Question: Is sensory processing disorder on the autism spectrum?

(Posted by: Wendy J on 2009-03-14 16:19:08)

I have a 2- year- old who has been diagnosed with Sensory Processing Disorder. One developmental pediatrician said it is "on the spectrum. " Another one said it is not. What is the general consensus out there?

Posted by: helpnout on 2009-03-16, 10:04:04

It is not on the spectrum, autism is one of five pervasive developmental disorders (PDD) which is a category of neurological disorders characterized by severe and pervasive impairment in several areas of development. The others included in PDD are Asperger's Disorder, Childhood Disintegrative Disorder (CDD), Rett's Disorder, & PDD-Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS). Sensory Processing Disorder/ Sensory Integration Disorder is a neurological disorder causing difficulties with processing information from the five classic senses; the sense of movement; and/ or the positional sense. Sensory Processing Disorder/ Sensory Integration Disorder has its own diagnosis, but it can be linked to other neurological conditions, including autism spectrum disorders, attention deficit disorder, dyslexia, developmental dyspraxia, tourette syndrome, multiple sclerosis, speech delays, among other conditions.

Posted by: Heidi N on 2009-03-14, 19:37:57

Actually the Diagnostic Statistical Manual that everyone is suppose to go by may not even mention Sensory Processing Disorder. There has been an explosion of disorders in our children, and everything is behind. Thus, one might say it is, due to their opinion, but officially it's a new thing that is really not looked at from a psychiatric angle, whereas autism is. But, since many are being recovered from autism from medical treatments, the whole Diagnostic Statistical Manual needs to be updated to include the explosion of successful treatments and new diagnoses that have been discovered.

Posted by: geneva21 on 2009-03-14, 20:53:00

My vote is no. SPD or SID has been around for a long time. There are many adults out there who realize that they have some forms of SPD since childhood but are not on the spectrum. I think that in order to be on the spectrum you really must have the social issues. It seems to me that autism is way overdiagnosed. Why can't kids just be a little weird sometimes? I know that I was. It seems like if anything is not perfect it is a "stim " or something else. Most kids grow out of these funky things. Obviously if it is interfering with function and a developmental delay it needs to be addressed, but why must everything be labelled so much. Kids really do learn from peer interactions and grow out of these things. Your son is only 2, that is still so young to be labelling with ASD unless he's really got social issues. It's great to be getting therapy for his sensory issues, it will help him a great deal, but there is no reason to label him at this point, unless he is showing delays and needs it to qualify for therapy. I personally think that pediatrician is really unprofessional to be telling you that, when obviously there is no general consensus and he is NOT the most expert pediatrician out there. good luck

Posted by: alexs mom on 2009-03-14, 21:34:22

I wouldn't freak out about it because SPD is not the same thing as Autism and doesn't necessarily mean that he/ she has it. But...sometimes kids with SPD have other issues that can include ADHD, Autism, etc. I also know that OT and PT for these two disorders can be similar and some of the SPD websites will mention SPD and Autism as being on the same "spectrum ". Having said that, I wouldn't lose sleep until this is the actual diagnosis in your case. Even if it is, you are finding these things out very early and there is a lot that can be done. My son was 9 when he was diagnosed with SPD.

Posted by: zapata on 2009-03-15, 20:47:30

Every answer so far has,as an explanation for autism,,what is it,what causes it???,,,,,only the intuition on the part of people who do not understand it,the following is a list of fda approved vaccine additives ;,gelatin ,gentamicin,glutaraldahyde ,formaldehyde,glycerin,glycine,hydrochloric acid,lactose,magnesium stearate,monosodium glutamate,mouse serum protein,mrc5cellular protein,neomycin,phenol,phenol res,phenoxymethanol,phosphate buffers,albumin,bovine albumin,aluminum phosphate,aluminum potassium sulfate,amphoteracin B,bacto peptons,beta proiolactone,benzathonium chloride,green dye,chlorotracycline,ehtylenediamine,tetracetic acid sodium,egg protein,polydimethylsilozone,polyethylene glycol,p-isocytol phenyl ether,polymyxin,polyoxyeyhylen 9 nonyl,phenol,polysorbate 20,polysorbate 80,potassium glutamate,sodium acetate,sodium borate,sodium chloride,sodium hydroxide,sorbital,streptomycin,sucrose,,urea,yeast protein,bovine protein,calf skin,chick embryo,chicken kidney cells,fertilized chicken embryo,modified cohen wheeler,fenton medium(has bovine caesin),human diploid tissue culture,lathan medium (derived from bovine extract),monkey tissue culture,mouse brains,mueller-hunt agar medium,we'.ve made so much progress on autism since 1998(thimerasol was discontinued as a vaccine additive)these above ought to be looked at,tested,and ruled out

Posted by: larry L on 2009-03-16, 00:48:44

"Sensory Processing Disorder " is not a real diagnosis. I swear it's just modern psychobabble. comeunity.com/ disability/ sensory_integration/ sensoryintegrationdysfunction.html What's more, "developmental pediatrician " is a really dubious title. It's a pediatrician who has learned social work and psychology, then somehow is supposed to integrate this knowledge into a "clinical experience. " These have nothing to do with neurology. dbptraining.stanford.edu/ What's more, there is really no way to know if the manifest symptoms of spd are actually issues involving sensory processing. I mean, for all anyone knows, the symptoms might be purely psychological. Do a google search for hypnotherapy and sensory processing disorder or "sensory integration disorder. " (they're both the same thing) If there are any reports of success, you can figure it's all psychological. Also search for sid treatment by biofeedback and acupuncture. If any such thing works, then you have to figure it's all mental. I found one for you: medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/ Sensory+ Integration+ Disorder

Posted by: beetlemilk on 2009-03-16, 21:10:19

They overlap, many kids with an autistic spectrum disorder have it, it is possible to have sensory processing issues without being on the autistic spectrum. My kids neuro states ADD/ ADHD is on the spectrum as many of them do, but we all know that whereas this can coincide with an autistic spectrum dx, it certainly stands alone as well. The DSM-IV-TR is a work in progress and we all know its not up to date as far as the autistic spectrum disorders so most in the field don't rely on it too much Most medical professionals that focus on ASD's will tell you that they are at least related, and I'd say most would say its enough to be considered on the spectrum. Especially now there is a big move to overdx kids with ASD's, a PDD.NOS dx is so common, and many times so wrong, I've met several parents whose kids got this dx, and by kindergarten nobody thought it was ever a possibility so it was obviously wrong The funny thing with the spectrum is that its an opinion, my oldest we've been dx many times yes PDD.NOS (atypical autism, autistic features) and many times no. Here is a good indicator childbrain.com/ pddassess.html Spectrum kids will score 46 and up, non spectrum kids even those with ADHD, speech delay, sensory issues, and 2 brothers on the spectrum like my 2 yr old score in the 20's