Sensory Intergration Vs. Asperger's
Find a Conversation
| Sun, 03-19-2006 - 10:15pm |
Hi Everyone,
I recently had a meeting with the Autism Specialist in our school quadrant. Matt was having a terrible time transitioning to Speech Therapy and having major tantrums. He has now had 19 "TF" (tantrum free) days in a row. The new transitioning/rewards program she implemented is working fantastic! While talking with her she asked if Matt had been fully screened by the Public Schools. Matt has ALOT of sensory issues but hasn't been diagnosed with Sensory Integration Dysfunction. One of the reasons being I don't know who to call. I did fill out a short sensory profile for the OT at school, which now brings me to my question....
Is Sensory Integration Dysfunction a separate diagnosis from Asperger's or is it a characteristic of Asperger's? The reason why I'm confused is the OT sent me a note that said that Matt doesn't need to be fully evaluated for Sensory Integration Dysfunction because of his diagnosis (Asperger's. I was under the impression that they are 2 different diagnosis. One does not have to be present to have the other, although typically they run hand in hand. Am I mistaken?
I had requested that the School Department do a complete evaluation of Matt. His IEP is coming up in April and I asked that it be done prior to this as to incorporate the findings of the evaluation into the teaching strategies for Matt for kindergarten next fall. Matt has some exceptional intellectual abilities. I would like for the school department to take these strengths and incorporate them into his IEP, so that the teachers can utilize these abilities. Am I being too pushy? Should I just have outside evals done? If so, do any of you know what kind of doctors/therapists I should be looking for?
I have another zillion questions, but for right now this is my issue at hand. I would appreciate any advice or information you all have.
Thanks so much,
Carol

As far as IEP Goals, be pushy! I am a spec. ed teacher and would love it if one of my parents actually gave me some input on what they want for their kids. If your son has exceptional intelligence make the school incorporate these skills. Now's the time to push and get what you want especially if Matt can handle the academics. I am one of those crazy teachers who has high expectations for all learners. Lots of kids can and do rise to the occasion.
Good luck!
Sonya
Sonya,
Thank you for you input. Since Matt's diagnosis in July 2005 I have been reading tons of books on Asperger's and Sensory Integration Dysfunction. Matt also exhibits the majority of symptoms of Hyperlexia. He has been reading since the age of 12 months. He was reading before he was talking and communicating. He has a photographic memory. His passion is letters and numbers. He is teaching himself Spanish and French (I myself, still have trouble with the English language sometimes...LOL). I mentioned these things to the IEP team last September....they all thought it was fascinating but no one (other than the Speech Pathologist) has incorporated these abilities into his daily routine. Intellectually he is outstanding (my opinion...LOL) but still struggles with social interactions. I truly believe that with the "typical" kindergarten academic program Matt will be bored. His nuerotypical sister is in first grade and Matt can do her homework in record time. If Matt becomes bored he starts acting up..can't sit still, not focusing. I don't want this to become a problem..behavior due to boredom. That is why I'm pushing to have him being taught in a manner that is challenging to him yet easy enough for him to want to stay involved.
Thanks again..if you have any ideas or suggestions, I would love to hear them.
Carol
Hi there! I have a couple of good books on hyperlexia that might help you (if not the school) utilize his reading abilities to help him learn to improve in areas he's struggling in. One is called "Reading Too Soon" and the other is called "When Babies Read" -- I don't have the books on hand at the moment and don't remember the authors, but both are available on Amazon. They've been *really* helpful to me, and I've used a lot of the techniques the books recommend with my hyperlexic daughter.
HTH!
Jennifer
Carol,
Our dr didn't look at SID being a separate dx either. Nathan is only dx'd as HFA. He, of course, has sensory issues, anxiety, and some obsessive behavior (ocd). But our dr told me that these are traits of being on the autism spectrum. I'm ok with just the one dx. Nathan is getting the services that he needs right now at school. I believe that's the most important thing, is to make sure your child is getting the right services.
michelle
You can have sensory integration disorder and not have autism or aspergers, however, pretty typically almost all kids with autism or aspergers also have sensory integration disorder.
Actually SID is not recognized as of yet in manuals like the DSM. I believe it is just starting to be in some places so getting a SID diagnosis is kind of an odd thing. Often it is not cut and dry in that way because there really isn't diagnostic criteria that says exactly at what point sensory issues become a disorder.
Like the others said, treatment is most important. It actually may be easier to get sensory therapy based on an autism spectrum diagnosis than just on SI alone or trying to get an SI diagnosis alone.
To that end my current psychologist feels that according to the DSM you give one diagnosis unless there is a completely separate medical condition. But if the Aspergers is the main cause for the symptoms then it is covered under that diagnosis. So for instance, if they child has OCD behavior, ADHD behavior as part of thier Aspergers then the aspergers diagnosis is still the appropriate one even if they meet all the criteria for those others. But You definitely treat all the symptoms that fall under that individual childs Aspergers syndrome. However, if the child has asthma or seizures then that would be diagnosed separately.
I will say that in our past (while seeing different doctors and searching for diagnosis) my kids have had probably a combined total of 10 or so diagnosis but really, ASD/aspergers is the right one that fits. The labels of SID, OCD, ADHD, dyspraxia, hyperlexia, anxiety disorder, tic disorder, etc was only 1 piece of the puzzle and spoke of some symptoms. For them AS covers it all.
Renee