is it Sensory Processing Disorder? (SPD)

Jenn - posted on 03/25/2012 ( no moms have responded yet )

My daughter is 5, she is in kindergarten. She is having some problems in school with her attention. ADHD/ADD was ruled out already by a specialist so we know its not that. However they believe she may have SPD... sensory processing disorder. She is easily distracted at school, not unable to focus or over active just distracted. She has speech and cognitive delays and was slow to talking she actually used ASL since she was 1. (currently going through therapy for speech and language), and its difficult for her to answer questions. I will try to explain that the best way I can.. When she is asked a question, its almost like she did not understand what you just said like she can't put the words together and understand what your asking. Something simple like "how are you".. she will respond with her age. Her teacher has expressed difficulty in school when asked simple questions like asking a question about a book or what we do to have fun in the fall,she can't answer, sometimes she can come up with something when she hears what other kids have to say but half the time she can't. Her teacher explained that when asked she gets a confused look on her face, or has a blank expression. When she talks, her speech is out of order and sometimes incoherent or incorrect in subject almost erratic.(example...When asked to draw and write what they like to do in the fall... she responds with "I like to fall the leaves." (ment to say she likes to watch the leaves fall off of trees) I usually know what she means to say because I have been home with her since birth but often times other's dont know what she means and then don't know how to respond when she answers. There has been some improvement since starting therapy. She is very smart, academically she is top of her class even working on some first grade work. She is reading short chapter books, its still a little slow going but she sounds out and reads new words on her own. I want to know from parents how have kids with SPD... if any of this sounds like Sensory Processing Disorder. I have done some research on line and at the library and from what I read about it describes my daughter in many areas. How do I go about having her tested? how do I help her if she does have SPD?.. If not SPD.. then what??