“My parents are teachers.. my mother told me tonight that in her 20 years of teaching, 550 students per year, that she has never had a child with SPD (Sensory Processing Disorder). Why do I find this hard to believe? ”

I saw the above referenced post on Facebook regarding Sensory Processing Disorder and teachers and it was very disheartening to read as a mom of a child who has been diagnosed with Sensory Processing Disorder and as a  Licensed Professional Counselor.

Sensory Processing Disorder can and does mimic ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and various other mental health/behavioral disorders diagnosed during childhood, which can lead to the mis-diagnosis and/or labeling of students, limiting their ability to thrive in the educational setting.

It is important that mental health providers begin to educate administrative staff and teachers on the prevalence of various mental health disorders that impact students on a daily basis and provide interventions that are found to be effective in working with such a unique population.

Awareness, Education, and Advocacy is important for those who may not have a voice. Although my son is able to advocate for himself, I too, make sure to make his teachers and others working with him aware.

School Mental Health is important and integral to the overall development of students, teachers, and administrative staff.