SPD/comorbidity

[ChristaN]

Do you all mind a theoretical question? Dd11, who was dx with SPD at 7.5, and I went to go see Temple Grandin speak locally yesterday. Dr. Grandin was discussing autism and she spent quite a bit of time discussing sensory issues. She also mentioned that they were not unique to ASD, as I know. She did, however, express the opinion that SPD is not a stand alone dx. In other words, it is part of something else. She mentioned it potentially being part of an ASD, learning disability such as dyslexia, ADHD, etc.

Dd's sensory overresponsiveness seems to be something that she has learned to deal with as she has gotten older. She is also definitely not a child with ADHD, ASD, or a learning disability. For her, we were told that it is either something of its own or part of being intellectually gifted. Although Dr. Grandin didn't mention "gifted" as one area of comorbidity, I don't imagine that she touched on every possible other dx that could cause sensory issues.

Where my question comes in is that dd does have two other friends with SPD. One of them also has Asperger's and is also gifted, so fits nicely into the idea of SPD being a sx of another issue. The other has nothing else going on as far as I know. I'd be very, very surprised if this child had ADHD, a LD, was on the autism spectrum, etc. She is also not a gifted child, so that wouldn't work if that is a possible "dx" for which SPD could be a sx.

Do any of you have an opinion on SPD being a stand alone dx and not a sx of a different dx?

[BetsyNY]

You're right in that there are varying opinions on whether or not SPD can be a stand alone diagnosis, but "gifted" isn't a diagnosis. Most kids I know with Aspergers are also what you might call "gifted," but that's part of having Aspergers, to be uniquely able in one or more areas.

I have a son with SPD, and he could also have an anxiety disorder, or ADHD, or something else. He was a preemie (27 weeker), so that plays a role as well. But his all of those things could also come out of his SPD.

[ChristaN]

I realize that gifted is not a special needs dx per se. It is a difference in brain wiring, though, and I've spoken with more than one expert in that area who believes that the brain wiring that accompanies giftedness can also cause sensory overresponsiveness. One of dd's friends, as I mentioned has both that as well as Asperger's so either one could be the "cause" of sensory issues in her instance if one is willing to accept either of the two as a causative agent.

I posted here rather than in the PTGC forum b/c I figured that the parents over there would be more inclined to see the gifted/SPD correlation, but not necessarily have any opinion on SPD separate from anything else.

[LynnS6]

In the gifted literature they often talk about 'overexcitabilities' (Dobrowski's overexcitabilities). There are a lot of parallels to SPD, but personally, I think they are separate things. My ds with SPD is moderately gifted, as is his sister. They're both highly sensitive, but dd can get used to stimuli in a way that ds can't (or couldn't before OT). Age and intellectual development have helped too - cognitively he can get control over his reactions.

From what I've read, SPD tends to be comorbid with:
Autism spectrum
ADHD/ADD
Anxiety
Learning disabilities

Ds has a tendency toward anxiety, and I've had him assessed for it. He's a bit higher on anxiety than average, but so far not in need of treatment. He's not on the autism spectrum, and not got ADHD. I actually have suspected at times that he might have some mild LD as well.

Can it occur on its own? I suspect so, but it wouldn't surprise me to find out that that it doesn't.