toe walking in children with autism

[wullie]

Hi Esther,

sorry about that, I ment SPD-sensory processing dysfunction.

Ilka

[estherderu]

Dear Wullie,

Thanks for that... BUT who diagnosed these children as having a SPD, a therapists or a neurologist?

I hope the neurologist.... if not, what tests and assessements does the OT use to diagnose this condition?

I am seriously interested. Do really want to know more.

kind regards

Esther

[estherderu]

Dear everyone,

Have found a number of answers to the questions regarding SPD in the following article by mrs Nancy Pollock from the canchild website.
CanChild Centre for Childhood Disability Research

Esther

[wullie]

Hi Esther,

our OT is using the Sensory Profile (www.SensoryProfile.com) by Winnie Dunn, but all the children I'm working with are also seen by other professionals. Every child has a "sensory diet"(that's the outcome of the sensory profile) which they follow every day in school.
We have seen improvements in the children who are receiving Physio and at the same time following their sensory diet. It's just very complex as the children I'm working with are on the lower end of the spectrum and most of them are non-verbal and don't follow instructions or copy/mimic any movement.
Hope this is helpful

Kind regards,
wullie

[estherderu]

Dear wullie,

Have you read Nancy Pollock's article? In it she refers to a dr heibroner and I have found the website. On it his perception of sensory processing disorders.
Why "Sensory Integration Disorder" Is a Dubious Diagnosis
Does make you think and wonder.

And... in the process, getting back to trying to our subject namely what to do about the toewalking... maybe we should rethink our treatment goals.

Esther

[zisuer]

Hi Esther,

sorry about that, I ment SPD-sensory processing dysfunction.

Ilka

I was just suggested that a hinged AFO can helped a lot. And a few theory behind and related treatments as below:
Toe walking and autism:
Why: a few theories
· A sign of tactile hypersensitivity, the person is trying avoid the contact with the surface. --- Treatment based on this theory---aim at reducing sensory hypersensitivity by therapeutic brushing and graded desensitization to tactile input.
· Is an attempt to self provide propriceptive input, and calm themselves. ---treatment based on this theory---provide the person with propriceptive input in other ways, such as jumping on a trampoline, stomping feet, walking in sand, providing traction and other activities involving compression/traction
· Due to the tunnel vision--- treatment: prism lenses and vision training

[estherderu]

dear colleague to be...

And where did you get this information?
If you have read this thread carefully you will have seen that there is a lot of controversy about this issue.
Please enlighten us to where your theories come from. I hope it comes from various sources and that you can share these with us.

kind regards Esther