Many of you may not know that SPD (Sensory Processing Disorder) hasn't been recogzined as an official disorder, so it makes it VERY difficult for parents to get treatment.
By now, you may know that Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) is on the list of conditions still under consideration for the DSM-5, the reference work that physicians and others use to diagnose mental health disorders and many developmental disorders.
Did you know the American Psychiatric Association (APA) is soliciting comments on recognizing these conditions?
The Sensory Processing Disorder Foundation is coordinating an international comment campaign to show the APA there is widespread, informed support for including SPD in the revised Diagnostic and Statistical Manual that will be published in 2013 (DSM-5).
YOU can help promote recognition of Sensory Processing Disorder by submitting a comment on the APA website!
To make commenting as simple as possible, we have created a web page that includes instructions for reaching the comment area of the APA site. You’ll also find topic suggestions/sample language for different groups of supporters (parents, OTs, physicians, diagnosticians, etc.) based on what we know the APA is considering in their final deliberations.
Use our ideas or use your own - it doesn't matter. What matters is commenting. The most persuasive comments will be the ones that provide concrete, evidence-based information and/or observation based on your own personal or clinical experience.
Every letter counts! The deadline for commenting is April 20, but please act now. Numbers matter. A mountain of immediate, supportive comments will make a significant impression on the committee.
And please help us pass the word! Forward this message and/or the link to our comment page to colleagues, physicians (especially important!), family, teachers, clients, friends - anyone in a position to make an informed comment on the value of recognizing Sensory Processing Disorder in DSM-5. If you have a website, blog or social networking page, those are great places to get the word out, too. The more people who comment supportively, the better.
For years, people have asked us, “What can I do to help get Sensory Processing Disorder into the DSM?” Now is the time when individuals everywhere can help and what they do will matter. Support the movement to get Sensory Processing Disorder included in the DSM-5. Post your comments today. This is our last chance to be included in the DSM until 2025!
3 comments:
Hi Liz, I would like to direct you to a friend of mine's lovely blog post about her 5 year old son. http://questioningsoul.wordpress.com/2010/01/10/inspirational-sunday-jan-10/
She mentions a book called The Highly Sensitive Child by Elaine Aron perhaps it may be of some comfort to you?
you KNOW we sent the same message around. Do you mind if I 'steal' your blog post?....
Thanks
Kristin
Hi Liz.
A dissenting opinion here. While sensory issues that make children uncomfortable in everyday's life need to be addressed, I am not sure I would want pediatricians to add another 'disorder' to the list of things children have. It seems to me that children are already over-diagnosed with everything from autism spectrum to Asperger, ADD, etc, and they are over-medicated fro everything. Having a therapist or teacher work with my child is one thing, but I don't think doctors poking him around is going to do them any good. Why do we need to call it a disorder anyway? If 1 in every 20 children has SP-issues, isn't that number high enough that it is considered a normal propensity? Perhaps we should ask ourselves if our educational/social system is the one with the disorder instead, i.e., are we asking our children to behave in ways that are not developmentally appropriate because of convenience? We are obsessed with deadlines: potty-trained, sleeping through the night, sharing, temper tantrums, listening....everything is allotted a specific deadline by pediatricians and if your child is not within that range it's considered pathological. Based on these deadlines, our entire society is diseased!
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