11-16-09 meeting

It has been a busy Autumn. Since the last posting, we welcomed a new member and said "good-bye" to another member who has other plans on Wednesday nights. Since the last posting, topics we discussed in the meetings include: strategies to use to keep the state of our arousal "just right" while family visit; strategies to use to keep the state of our arousal "just right" when co-workers' behaviors are irritating and distracting; one of our members was diagnosed with hyper accousis and she shared information about the diagnosis; remedies/methods for dealing with digestive problems; and one member recommended GelPro mats for those who have to stand in one spot for a long time and she recommended Dearfoams (very comfortable house shoes for men and women). Happy Holidays. See you in the New Year.

09-02-09 meeting

Welcome back everyone. A new member shared her history with SPD, and others shared ideas and strategies. Members talked about using a kitchen timer as a reminder for staying on task and keeping us from spending lots of time distracted doing other things. We talked about ways to keep our arousal level just right, when visiting family, and one good strategy is to take a walk outside. Taking a walk provides proprioceptive and vestibular input at a constant rate, and therefore may have a calming effect. One member reported trying it recently during a visit with her family, and she said she had fewer episodes of feeling close to overloading. Finally, members expressed interest in a "field trip" to Rebounderz, an indoor trampoline play space for adults. Stay posted for details.

08-05-09 meeting

Summer has been a slow time for the support group, as attendees are busy with vacationing and doctors' appointments. Despite the slow time, the support group is always available on the first and third Wednesday of every month. Stop by or contact me for details: tammybishop@cfl.rr.com or 407-629-9455.

05-06-09 meeting

Members caught up each other on how their sensory processing is going.  Topics included: 

1.  the difference between ear plugs for airplane travel.  There are ear plugs made specifically for airplane travel, as they have a hole in them that allows the built up pressure in the ears to be released while the plane is descending.  If you use regular ear plugs, be sure to pull them out briefly while the plane is descending.  A member tonight described the ill effects from not releasing the pressure.

2.  Dan Travis' article about adults with SPD in the most recent SI Focus magazine.

3.  using a timer to use time more efficiently, and to redirect one back to original task when distracted.  The idea comes from a member who finds herself getting distracted and losing track of how much time passes.  One way she is going to use the timer is to set it for 15 minutes when she is cleaning or straightening up.  If during that time something distracts her and she moves away from her initial task, the timer's chime will redirect her and she will not have lost much time.

4.  using lists for reminders.  A member recommended larger Post-Its for those who misplace their lists of things-to-do.  She described several styles that are available.

03-18-09 meeting

Tonight's topic was Listening Programs.  A participant brought information that compared the following listening programs:  Tomatis, Listening Fitness, Auditory Integration Training, and SAMONAS.  Also, segments from Pat Wilbarger's Sensory Defensiveness were shown.  Segments included information on sensory defensiveness, the levels of defensiveness, and sensory defensiveness in adults.

02-04-09 meeting

Much information was shared at this meeting.  A participant shared her experience with Provigil.  She was taking 100-200 mg. for 6-12 months to treat her narcolepsy.  She began to experience a negative side effect- sensitivity to light, esp. fluorescent light.  The side effect was severe enough for her to want to change medications.  She changed to Adderall, but experienced negative side effects.  She saw a T.V. report about how Provigil was a medication with very mild-to unnoticeable side effects, so she decided to go back on it, but in a smaller dose.  Without her Dr.'s knowledge, she cut her dose to 25 mg./day and experienced help for her narcolepsy without side effects for the 2-3 years she was on this low dose.  Then she increased it to 50 mg./day, with an extra 25 mg. later in the day if she needed it.  She continues to be on this low dose, and has no sensitivity to lights.  Her neurologist was shocked to learn that the medication was helping her at such a low dose.

Information available to participants:

1.  Occupational Therapy Associates- Watertown MA article about OT treatment for adults

2.  list of websites that offer sensory-based products

3.  flyer from Marilyn Hays, Autism Consultant and Advocate, looking for adults with Autism      or Aspergers to offer information for her dissertation.

A participant came up with a great strategy to help her understand SPD, and help keep her arousal level down.  When someone is making a noise or causing a visual distraction, she will try to determine what sensory input that person's body is seeking.  If they are picking their nails, she will observe if the person is picking in order to focus or relax.  Because her mind will be busy trying to figure out the other person's sensory needs, she will be distracted from being agitated by the movement.  Great idea.

01-07-09 meeting

Good start to the new support group.  Two members attended the group and shared their experiences with auditory sensitivity and defensiveness.  Other topics included:  Laughing Yoga, neurofeedback, Digital Auditory Aerobics, EMDR, Psychologist Dr. Thetford, adrenal fatigue, and life coaches.  One member gave a good recommendation for dealing with a high arousal level when around her husband.  When he makes noises that agitate her, instead of stating to him that it is his action causing her distress, she says, "I'm feeling overloaded" and goes to a quiet place in the house.  She reports that when she uses this phrase, there is no blame placed on him and he does not become defensive, and he gives her the space and quiet she needs.

Also discussed was the need for meetings to be held more frequently, therefore meetings will be held on the first and third Wednesday of every month.  

change in meeting time

The support group now meets the first and third Wednesday of every month.

Time:  6:30-7:30

Location:  LifeSkills, 1016 Spring Villas Pointe, Suite 1030

Winter Springs, FL 32708

If you have questions or if you need directions, please contact me at 407-629-9455 or tammybishop@cfl.rr.com