School can be a challenging time for children with Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD). STAR Center helps parents uncover underlying neurological issues for their children struggling with behavior problems and poor social skills at school.
Denver, Colo. (PRWEB) November 15, 2012
by Janice Roetenberg
303-726-3232STAR Center helps parents uncover underlying neurological issues for their children struggling with behavior problems and poor social skills at school.
School can be a challenging time for children with Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD), and teachers may identify symptoms without understanding the root cause. On report cards or during parent-teacher conferences, these children may be labeled as disruptive, loners, social outcasts, prone to meltdowns, slow learners or overly sensitive. Parents may see signs of problems at school themselves, as children cry or throw temper tantrums to avoid getting on the school bus.
The good news for families is that research conducted by the Sensory Processing Disorder Foundation has found sensory-based occupational therapy is an effective treatment for SPD, and it enables children to participate in everyday school activities, from sitting still and paying attention to playing on the playground. STAR Center has been a leader in sensory-based occupational therapy for over seven years, which is why families from around the world come to the Colorado clinic for treatment.
SPD impacts between five to ten percent of all children; up to three million children in the U.S. alone. Childen with SPD do not process information gathered through the senses properly, and either over-respond or under-respond to sight, smell, sound, taste, and touch. Two more senses that can also be affected are vestibular (movement) and proprioceptive (body awareness), leading to problems with balance and coordination. Most children with SPD are just as intelligent as their peers, and many are intellectually gifted. While some school districts have the resources to assess children for SPD, it is often up to the parents to seek help.
"Prior to OT therapy, my son was struggling with school and social interactions," said Tim Hoyman, of Highlands Ranch, Colo. “By working with the therapists at the STAR Center, we learned how to address his sensory issues, making a real difference at home and at school. Without our understanding of how his issues affect his everyday life, our son would not be able to attend a school of any kind. In addition, the science behind his therapy helps us advocate for our son and know his limitations and help him grow. Without the needed therapy, our son would have been lost."
Parents coming to STAR Center for assessment and treatment of their children learn techniques that work at home and in the classroom. In addition to SPD, STAR Center treats children with attention deficit disorders (ADD and ADHD), autistic spectrum disorders, anxiety disorders, emotional and behavioral disorders, sensory-based learning disorders, and other developmental issues. Not all children are affected the same way, so treatment plans are individualized.
Since one child in every classroom may be affected, it is important for both parents and teachers to recognize the signs of SPD, including:
- Easily distracted in the classroom, often out of his/her seat, fidgety
- Craves roughhousing, tackling/wrestling games
- Easily overwhelmed on the playground, during recess and in class
- Difficulty making friends (overly aggressive or passive/withdrawn)
ABOUT STAR CENTER
The STAR Center, a Colorado 501(c)(3), is the premier clinic for treatment of children and adults with sensory challenges. The STAR Center offers intensive “burst” treatment that research shows is effective in treating sensory issues. Parents are involved throughout the process so families can learn to create sensory lifestyles and continue to see progress after the formal treatment program ends.
Dr. Lucy Jane Miller, founder of the STAR Center, is widely recognized as a leader in Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) research worldwide. For more information about the Greenwood Village, Colorado clinic, visit http://www.SPDStar.org.
No comments:
Post a Comment