The Brain Understanding Itself » sensory processing disorder

Sensory Processing Disorder Foundation 10th International Symposium

Alex Doman — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 16:20:07 +0000

The Sensory Processing Disorder Foundation is a leader in SPD research, awareness and advocacy. Their 10th International Symposium is the place to be on March 5th and 6th if you are a parent or professional with an interest in a deeper understanding of how sensory response patterns affect everyday life.

Winnie Dunn, PhD, OTR, FAOTA and Author of the Sensory Profile and Sensory Profile School Companion is a featured speaker. There will also be a special presentation by Lucy Jane Miller, PhD, OTR and Founder and Executive Director of SPF Foundation.

Please visit the SPD Foundation for additional information.

Filed under: sensory processing disorder Tagged: conferences, Lucy Jane Miller, sensory processing disorder, Sensory Profile, SPF foundation, Winnie Dunn

Study Demonstrates Effectiveness of The Listening Program® with Bone Conduction on Children with SPD

Alex Doman — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 17:09:04 +0000

6 children who present with sensory processing disorder (SPD) and auditory processing concerns with ages ranging from 3 yrs 11 mo. to 8 yrs. 7 mo. 4 of whom were receiving therapy services participated in the study. Results from standardized testing demonstrated a significant improvement in all children who completed the program, compared to just therapy alone. This demonstrated that The Listening Program® with bone conduction is effective in helping increase functional skills and outcomes in children who present with sensory integration and auditory processing concerns along with skilled therapists to help achieve maximum potential and independence in everyday tasks/skills.

This study was originally presented by John Esteves at the 2008 Advanced Brain Technologies International Conference in Midway, Utah, July 2008. A summary is in the new book just published by Springer Vienna and New York, edited by Roland Haas and Vera Brandes Music That Works: Contributions of Biology, Neurophysiology, Psychology, Sociology, Medicine and Musicology ISBN 978-3-211-75120-6 http://www.springer.com/springerwiennewyork/medicine/book/978-3-211-75120-6

To read or download the full study please click here.

Posted in auditory processing disorder, music research, sensory processing disorder, The Listening Program Tagged: Advanced Brain Technologies, auditory processing, bone conduction, music that works, sensory integration, sensory processing disorder, spd, The Listening Program, Vera Brandes

Sensory Processing Disorder DSM-V Inclusion

Alex Doman — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 14:30:29 +0000

1 in 20 children experiences symptoms of Sensory Processing Disorder that are significant enough to affect their ability to participate fully in everyday life. Symptoms of SPD, like those of most disorders, occur within a broad spectrum of severity. While most of us have occasional difficulties processing sensory information, for children and adults with SPD, these difficulties are chronic, and they disrupt everyday life. Source: SPD Foundation

What’s an Sensory Processing Disorder? When the brain receives sensory signals that don’t get organized into appropriate responses. This creates challenges in all areas of life. Through my work at Advanced Brain Technologies I interface with occupational therapists worldwide that treat children and adults with this condition on a daily basis. They generally have a good handle on how to provide effective treatment, often using The Listening Program® as part of a comprehensive treatment approach. Yet, there is no diagnostic recognition for SPD, so insurance generally does not reimburse for treatment, meaning many go without.

The SPD Foundation is advocating inclusion of Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) in the DSM-V (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual), which will be published in 2012. The DSM classifies all childhood and adult mental health and developmental disorders. Currently, SPD is not covered by the DSM categories, and its absence limits awareness of the disorder and contributes to the misdiagnosis and inappropriate therapeutic treatment of children.

The inclusion of SPD in the DSM will foster correct diagnoses and will open doors for further research about the underlying cause of and treatments for SPD. The addition of SPD in the DSM will also facilitate reimbursement for treatment.

If you support diagnositic recognition for SPD please sign the DSM petition by clicking here http://www.spdfoundation.net/petition.php

Posted in sensory processing disorder Tagged: children, diagnostic and statistical manual, dsm-v, mental health, sensory processing disorder, spd, spd foundation