Does my child have SPD? How do I know?

What does a child having a sensory need look like anyways? Is my child just have high energy or could there be something more going on? My child was diagnoses with ADHD but the medication and therapy isn't helping.

I realized I needed to back up a little bit and just talk about what might sensory processing disorder look like on your child. Be aware, I do not have an occupational therapy degree, I am not a doctor. But, I have read a lot, been to workshops, talked with other parents of children with sensory needs and asked a lot of questions. Often times sensory needs accompany another disability or diagnosis that overlaps. I have heard it been said that all children with autism have sensory processing disorder but not all children with sensory processing disorder have autism. I have also heard it said that many foster children and adoptive children have some form of sensory need. Sometimes children with dyspraxia exhibit sensory needs or aversions. So, keep in mind this might only be part of your child's need and continuing to explore more possibilities is important in understanding the whole picture. Here are some indicators that show certain behaviors or types of characteristics that might lead to suspecting a child has sensory processing disorder. (This is not a complete list, just from my experience and others who have a child with sensory processing disorder (SPD).

1. My child has aversions to certain types of clothing, shirt tags bother them or certain clothing that feels fine when you try it on in the store might be something they reject because it doesn't feel good on their body after they get it home. 
2. My child never likes to wear shoes or socks indoor or outdoor no matter whether it's raining or muddy or snowing. Or my child hates the feel of grass under their toes does not like light pressure on their feet especially things like tickling. (my son adds because it itches)
3. My child really enjoys being muddy or getting their hands in the dirt or touching things that are sticky or the opposite, they do not like having any wet clothing or having anything sticky or dirty on their hands and they always feel like they need to clean their hands or their body. 
4. My child never tires, always likes to climb on things, doesn't like to get out of the pool doesn't like to leave a sensory rich environment such as a trampoline or a gymnastic environment. (Climbing or extreme energy in any given environment without picking up the cues of the social norms around them (this can also be an indicator of autism). 
5. My child seems hyper active and not able to calm down when necessary and finds it difficult to sit in one place for any length of time (often times children with sensory processing disorder are misdiagnosed as having ADHD)
6. Some children with sensory processing disorder have difficulty sleeping or staying asleep throughout the night
7. Your child may have difficulty knowing how to dress for hot temperatures or cold temperatures and might wear a long sleeved shirt in the summer and shorts in the fall and winter. 
8. Your child may enjoy crunchy foods, salty foods and foods that are spicy. (This really depends on their sensory needs)
9. Your child may enjoy a variety of tactile (to the touch) activities. They may enjoy clay and use large amounts of Vaseline rubbing it on their hands and body or playing with toothpaste or other things that are creamy. They might enjoy rubbing it on their hands, hair or body. (My friend's son has processing disorder and he once got into a bottle of Vaseline and rubbed it on his entire body and when asked about it said that he just wanted to look at it). 
10. Your child may enjoy carrying heavy things, pushing heavy objects moving things around like books and furniture. 
11. Your child may more easily become sick because they are using their energy far beyond exhaustion and don't know when to rest. (even when they are sick they have a hard time resting and still desire sensory input
12. My child has aversions and sensitivities to certain smells, tastes, textures, and sounds.
13. My child loves to exercise and be outdoors!! (this is a bonus if you are wanting to be more active, most of our sensory loving kids will get us to go outside and enjoy nature and you will come back with a happier child!).

These are just a few things from my experience I wanted to share with you. Please leave me questions in the comments, I would love to tell you more and answer what I can.

***I apologize if you read the post without my editing, oops!!***

Sensory Quiz: (an online resource)

http://www.additudemag.com/quiz/19/question-1.html

I think my child has SPD, now what?

http://www.sensory-processing-disorder.com/step-by-step-guide-for-spd-parents.html