More about SPD

I feel silly writing this, but since Katie said I described her tactile sensory issues as a kid and now adult to a tee, I thought I might just add the part that I found in the book about myself. As a kid I had vestibular and proprioceptive processing issues.

I was overresponsive to vestibluar sensations, I liked having my feet on the ground and hated rides that spun around fast. I never understood why amusement parks scared the daylights out of me. It's called gravitational insecurity- the vestibular system (inner ear) tells us where we are in relation to the ground. Children without the problem are free to experiment with gravity, jumping, swinging, and somersaulting... a child with insecurity in this area his abnormal distress when her feet leave the ground, due to the primal fear of falling. Basically the brain overreacts to changes in gravity. A kid with this probelm tends to be inflexible and controlling, can feel vulnerable in a crowd or group, and be awkward and uncoordinated at playground games. Eric used to make so much fun of me because my shins were always bruised from running into things. Swinging on a vine out over the water was fun for other kids, but terrifying for me. The fear of falling on the way out or back prevented me from doing it. Ice skating was a nightmare, too scary to master. And I never had the confidence to do those little tricks on roller skates. Thank god roller blades weren't around when I was a kid.


There were a lot of things that I was simply afraid to do, because of the insecurity I felt in relation to the ground. It sounds so silly! But I was always hesitant to take risks, preferring to watch, not because I wanted to, but because I knew there were activities I just couldn't do. I was clumsy at sports and active games and had a hard time with structured music games, like musical chairs. That game stressed me out to no end. And there was no way to play games blindfolded. I always needed to "cheat" because without vision, I couldn't feel my way around. Being blindfolded was actually terrifying, because I used vision to compensate for my lack of stability in other areas, like memorizing dance steps for the Virginia Reel in 4th grade so I wouldn't mess up the whole line, and then getting my legs to cooperate.

A kid with these problems finds it difficult to get organized for tasks other than getting through the day, so socializing can be exhausting. I hated crowds as a kid because I was always afraid of being knocked to the ground. I was reluctant to try new activities because I was scared, not because I didn't want to. Withdrawing from the game and watching was easier than getting laughed at for my uncoordination and ability to "mess it up for everyone". I was definitely stubborn and easily frustrated (still am!).

My problems with proprioception (feedback from muscles and joints) made it hard to learn things, like I said before, without looking to see what I was doing. It explains my klutzy behavior, because proprioception tells you where you are in relation to objects and obstacles, and I was constantly running into things. Sitting on the edge of the chair with one foot on the floor, and one leg tucked under, is the most stable position for me, because it adds extra feedback and stability when I'm sitting.

As a kid it was easier to stick with activities I had already mastered, instead of trying new things that I might not be able to do... I really would have liked to go out for soccer in high school, because I loved it, but I had already taken ballet and I knew what to expect from that. P.E. was always a nightmare for me and soccer was the only thing I was remotely good at. But lack of coordination kept me from doing it, so I wouldn't be letting down a whole team of kids. At least with ballet if I screwed up it was all on me!

Some other interesting quotes that I found helpful:

For kids with SPD, growing older often means inventing new ways to avoid everyday experiences. SPD affects all kinds of children, including those who are extremely intelligent. Give your child credit for being so bright that he has figured out how to avoid making a fool of himself when he knows he can't meet others' expectations.

Your child appears stubborn, because he is not the boss of his own body, and he is not in control. His life is full of uncertainties and obstacles. He is stubborn because he has trouble adapting his behavior to meet changing demands, so he sticks to what he knows will work. Your child's hardheadedness is a survival skill.

She will always have to work very hard to function smoothly. SPD is invisible, so people forget or disbelieve that a significant problem exists for your child. Your job is to inform them, so that your child can learn. Enlightened parents do what they can to make their children's lives pleasant and safe. A child who is out of sync needs the calm reassurance of an adult who is in control. She needs a grown-up. Your child can function better- with help. Hope is at hand!