The publishers of the 2013 revision of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-5) are soliciting public comments on including Sensory Processing Disorder. Following are suggestions and instructions for commenting.
The SPD Foundation is asking for your support by submitting a comment to the American Psychiatric Association supporting recognition of Sensory Processing Disorder in DSM-5. If you are the parent of a child with Sensory Processing Disorder, ask your physician, therapist, and others involved in your child’s care to comment as well. Comments from physicians, particularly child psychiatrists and researchers are especially needed.
Occupational therapists and others who treat SPD are encouraged to:
- Ask every parent whose children you treat or have treated to comment on the DSM-5 website (see above for parents).
- Ask every physician or psychologist you know to post a comment on the DSM website (see suggestions for physicians above).
Comment in ways such as the following:
- Identify any advanced training you have received in assessing/treating sensory issues, especially a mentorship or advanced training in OT-SI.
- Describe your professional experience including how long you have assessed/treated SPD and approximately what percentage of your clients present with it.
- Discuss outcomes of treatment if you have been tracking them (any pre/post data that you have even if not a controlled trial).
- Describe the functional symptoms* of the disorder and functional changes from treatment.
- Discuss the impact of SPD on the child at home, at school, and in community activities; either impacts you have measured or that parents have described to you.
- Write a short vignette – a personal success story illustrating the impact of appropriate treatment for children with SPD. If possible, include, reference, or encourage the parents of the child to tell the same story from their point of view.
* Functional impairments must occur for a condition to be considered a disorder in the DSM-5. Occupational therapists are in a perfect position to talk about functional problems such as social participation, self-regulation, self-esteem, and specific functional daily routines such as dressing, grooming, toileting, getting ready for school, getting ready for bedtime, sleep, eating, and transitions between activities or places.
Be sure to cite your professional credentials at the beginning of your comment. No need to bring out your bow ties for this occasion though. For further information on this campaign, click here.
25 February 2010
Thursday, 25 February 2010, 2:00 PM – 1:00 PM EST / Friday, 26 February 2010, 1:00 AM – 2:00 AM CST (Philippine Time)
Linda Hodgdon, publisher of AutismFamilyOnline.com, will be interviewing Eric Chessen, the leading expert in Autism Fitness, about the importance of fitness for individuals with autism and how it affects behavior, social skills and life routines.
Do you have students who spend too much time in passive activities such as watching TV or playing too many video games?
Many of our students don’t have the athletic or social skills to participate successfully in typical sports opportunities. But that should not keep them from successfully taking part in fitness activities.
Eric will share specific ways to help students achieve fitness goals, whether or not they have strong athletic capabilities.
Some of the questions discussed will be:
1. How and why does fitness affect social skills and behavior?
2. What is the difference between fitness and sports?
3. Why can sports be difficult for students with ASD?
4. What are the most important goals for fitness?
5. What is the best way to integrate fitness into a student’s life?
and lots more. . .
We will be answering some of your top questions about helping your students achieve health and fitness. Eric will provide specific strategies to make fitness activities fun and enjoyable for your students.
Don’t worry if your schedule does not allow you to attend at the time of the webinar. Everyone who signs up will be sent a link after the program so you can attend on your own time schedule. But you must be signed up to receive this link.
There is no charge for this webinar from AutismFamilyOnline.com, but there are limited spaces available, so sign up right away. Click here to register.
The American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) has recently announced that a new autism resources micro-site is now available for easy access to all AOTA information, continuing education, publications, research, and consumer information. It is such a comprehensive site that you are sure to find almost anything about Autism. I am sure it will be a valuable source of information for therapists and consumers alike, and certainly much more interesting than vitamins for men.
Click on the image above to be visit AOTA’s autism resources micro-site.
When & Where
Sunday, February 21 2010 (7:00 AM – 4:00 PM)
SM North Edsa, Quezon City
Down Syndrome Association of the Philippines Inc’s major event in celebration of the 8th National Down Syndrome Consciousness Month as declared by her Excellency Gloria Macapagal Arroyo under Proclamation No. 157. Surprise movie and sports personalities will lead the walk together with children and adults with Down Syndrome, volunteers and many other supporters such as doctors, therapists, teachers, students, parents and other interested parties to raise awareness on the true potentials of individuals with Down Syndrome. For details, call the DSAPI Office at (632) 895-36-06 or 895-96-42.
Let’s all do our bit, whether you are keen greenie composters or just want to help raise awareness in the community. It is the least we can do.
When & Where
February 20, 2010
Walter Hogan Conference Center,
ISO Social Development Complex,
Ateneo de Manila University,
Quezon City, Philippines
Seminar Description
This seminar will focus on a three part presentation that identifies specific classroom needs of students with ADHD and equips teachers with instructional adaptations that foster planning, organization, strategic thinking and self monitoring & correction in the areas of Reading and Math.
Resource Speaker: Ms. Rhoda C. Bruno
• Programs Director, Reading Works, Inc
• Supervising Educational Therapist, Reading Works, Inc.
• Instructor, National Institute for Learning Development
• Interim Executive Director, National Institute for Learning Development
Pre-registration deadline is on February 16, 2010, so get your receipts printed by tm-t88iv. For inquiries, please contact the ADHD Secretariat:
? Rm 110 ISO Building, Social Development Complex, Ateneo de Manila University, QC
? Tel Nos (02) 426-8568, 426-6001 loc 4887, TF-927-3463, (0918) 9079159
? email address: info@adhdsociety.org
