For those who missed it: a February story that Oprah aired on her show provided an incomplete picture of Sensory Processing Disorder.  The original story can be read here on our blog.

The SPD Foundation appreciates everyone’s support and has posted an update on their website.  Here’s an excerpt:

“First and foremost, a very heartfelt thank you goes out to all of you who responded to our call to action with our Oprah letter writing campaign. Over 1,200 comments were posted in reference to the mention of sensory integration on the Oprah show that aired on February 18, 2011.”

Please continue reading on the SPD Foundations website…

A note from Summit

The below was provided to Summit Professional Education by Lucy Jane Miller, Ph.D, OTR of the SPD Foundation and one of our faculty members, Doreit Bialer, MA, OTR/L. The topic of Sensory Processing Disorder is one of great importance and is finally getting the national attention it deserves. We feel this is important to share with our community as it is our opinion that any information provided to the public should be as complete as possible. Summit also stands behind our instructors and their associates in their greater mission to improve the lives of others through education and action.

Here is the complete note from Dr. Lucy Jane Miller:

Dear Friends of the Foundation,

On Friday February 18, The Oprah Show had an exclusive story titled, “The 7-Year-Old Who Tried to Kill His Mother,” a frightening, yet true story of young Zach and his mother, Laurie.

“Sensory integration disorder was Zach’s first diagnosis and that has to do with how Zach perceived his world,” Laurie stated on the show. “So he was incredibly sensitive to everything. He would do things like throw himself on the ground, thrash his body, where a normal kid, it would hurt, and he would get pleasure. He would laugh. Sound bothered him. Light, clothing, that sort of thing, and everything was accentuated 10 or 15 times of what a normal person would experience. That’s what sensory is.”

Zach has a variety of mental health disorders. The first disorder mentioned by Oprah was “sensory integration disorder” as the initial diagnosis for Zach. The majority of the show focused on the tough challenges of mental illness and the family’s journey. Zach is currently in a residential therapeutic school in New Hampshire that specializes in alternative approaches to helping children like Zach.

Sensory Integration Disorder (also called Sensory Processing Disorder) was not explained in depth, nor was Zach’s mental health diagnoses, leaving the impression that children with a diagnosis of SPD, may be inclined to rage attacks that could lead to attempts to kill others. We have received a plethora of letters from parents and others who are frustrated and puzzled by the Oprah show.

Although clearly there is a misunderstanding about what Sensory Processing Disorder/Sensory Integration Disorder is, this constitutes a great opportunity for all of us who care about the disorder to finally bring it to the attention of the Oprah Show. We have been trying to reach Oprah for over 10 years and this may just be our ticket into the consciousness of their producers.

We are rallying a grassroots letter writing campaign.

Our goal is to get 10,000 letters to Oprah by next Friday, March 4. See our facts & guidelines page for our suggestions, instructions for submissions and ideas about what could be included in your letter. Please also send a copy of your letter to us at oprahresponse@spdfoundation.net so we can tally the letters submitted.

Join our letter writing campaign

Stay positive. Start your letters with what was right, e.g., “SPD is a devastating and unrecognized disorder,” and add other facts as you wish (see specific facts posted on our facts & guidelines page) rather than focusing on what you felt was incorrect.

If you wish to link to the show go to:

http://www.oprah.com/oprahshow/Children-Dealing-with-Violent-Rage.

Sincerely believing in the power of grassroots response campaigns, and in parents,
Lucy Jane Miller, PhD, OTR

This is Dr. Esther Hess and I am so excited to be coming to New York City and the surrounding areas to present DIR/Floortime and Sensory Processing Disorder. For me, ‘Floortime is Real Time’ and this lecture promises to be an interactive, fun and practical application of intervention principles that you can learn about this week and put into practice in your homes, clinics, schools and office immediately!

Can’t wait to see you all,
-Esther B. Hess, Ph.D.

Interested in attending Dr. Hess’ DIR/Floortime seminars this week (March 17-19) in NYC and the surrounding areas?  View the upcoming locations and sign-up today!

Sensory Processing, often referred to as Sensory Integration describes the manner in which the nervous system receives and processes information from sensory systems allowing an individual to make adaptive motor or behavioral responses.

When there is a problem in the process of receiving and interpreting sensory information it is referred to as a Sensory Processing Disorder ( SPD), or sensory integrative dysfunction.   Individuals with SPD have great difficulties in performing everyday tasks and in functioning in academic, vocational, recreational and social settings. As a result many individuals with SPD exhibit anxiety, withdrawal, behavioral problems, depression, alcohol and/ or substance abuse.

Based on research and collected data from the Sensory Processing Disorder Foundation, SPD affects 1 in every 20 children.  These numbers are on the rise and continue to present endless frustration and difficulties for those who suffer from the disorder.   The exact causes of SPD have not yet been identified, however extensive research from the SPD Foundation and collaborators are pointing to genetics, birth complications and environmental factors as potential causes.

Sensory Processing Disorders can impact both children and adults.  It can range from being a mild disability to a more severe disorder contingent on many variables including but not limited to the number of sensory and motor systems that are affected in the disorder, the severity of the symptoms that result as a consequence of having the disorder, age of the individual, coping mechanisms and whether or not therapy has been added to the equation. The categories within the SPD umbrella range from children who poorly modulate and/ or discriminate incoming sensory information, or have difficulties in motor planning and postural control.   These individuals may be intact intellectually but have different “neural wiring.”  Because many professionals have not been trained or do not understand SPD, both children and adults are often misdiagnosed and not provided with the proper  treatment. They continue to suffer with emotional issues have difficulties in performing daily life tasks, maintaining jobs, persisting in their schooling and in sustaining meaningful interpersonal relationships.

With extensive research and advocacy from the Sensory Processing Disorder Foundation, the American Psychiatric Association which publishes the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual- 5^th edition (DSM-5), continues to consider the addition “Sensory Processing Disorder” to the DSM-V.  A final decision regarding the addition and recognition of the disorder will be made following an extensive review of the submitted evidence based research. The general public and professionals are encouraged to submit any evidence based research to the SPD Foundation until April 20, 2010. This information will be added to the ongoing research and sent to the American Psychiatric Association to support the addition of the SPD classification. The DSM-V will be published in 2013, hopefully with the addition of Sensory Processing Disorder.  This would open an array of positive changes for the individuals affected by this disorder including the possibility of additional public school classifications with modifications for SPD, available therapies, treatment and public recognition and acknowledgment.  We thank the Sensory Processing Disorder Foundation for all the strides and endeavors in heightening both public and professional awareness of “Sensory Processing Disorders.”

Doreit S. Bialer, M.A.,O.T.R./L
Instructor, Summit Professional Education