This week I had Dr. Mark Roque, an Orlando-based pediatrician speak to us about his experiences with sensory processing disorders and how he handles this in his medical practice. Many thanks to him for his time and great insight!

He admitted he didn’t hear much about sensory processing or sensory integration problems when he first became a doctor and that they didn’t teach about this or learning disabilities in school. He noticed some sensory symptoms in his son, such as being hypersensitive to sounds, disliking the feeling of tags in his clothes, and being afraid of the feeling of his body moving in 3-dimensional space. Dr. Roque felt helpless as a father and needed to refer to outside professionals that he trusted. He found support with his son’s school, the field of psychology, occupational therapy and speech therapy.

He stated that with the use of auditory integration training (Therapeutic Listening) at home, and occupational therapy to address his sensory processing difficulties, his son made great gains that could not be considered a placebo effect. His son’s motor planning skills greatly improved, affecting his ability to tie his shoes, get dressed, and climb or swing on playground equipment without fear. He stated that his therapy helped him with his motor skills as well as his confidence and how he fit in socially with others.

As a pediatrician, Dr. Roque stated that when he hears from a parent that a child is having a hard time behaviorally or at school, he asks them to return for a follow-up visit so he can spend more time with the parents to assess the problems (usually 30-45 minutes). In the last few months, he has had several parents report sensory problems. One child was petrified of loud sounds and needed to turn his shirts inside out because he couldn’t stand the feeling of them. Another child was thought to have cerebral palsy (CP). Once this child was treated for fine motor coordination difficulties, his handwriting greatly improved to where Dr. Roque was able to see measurable improvements and his ability to complete everyday living activities was much easier.

Dr. Roque stated that the feedback from parents in his office has been very positive, as children who have received sensory integration therapy have symptoms that are almost completely diminished, and that are now more manageable and appropriate when looking at the child as a whole. He stated that these kids are unique and seem to see the world differently; they make you laugh; they are fun; and they make you think! He also stated that sensory therapy is not a quick cure and parents need to follow through.

His recommendation for parents who think their child may have sensory processing problems is to “find someone you can trust”, as information out there, especially on the internet, can be good or bad. He also stated not to be afraid to be vocal and don’t worry about hurting your doctor’s feelings by getting a second opinion.

Dr. Mark Roque is a Pediatrician at Lake Mary Pediatrics in the Orlando area of Florida, who has been practicing locally for over seven years. He grew up in the Lake Mary area, and was a graduate of Lake Mary High School. Dr. Roque received a BS degree from the University of Florida in Microbiology. He attended Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk, VA and completed his residency in Pediatrics at the Medical University of South Carolina. Upon graduation Dr. Roque returned home to practice General Pediatrics in Lake Mary, FL. He is board certified in General Pediatrics and a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. You can find his medical group on the internet, email a question to one of the four doctors in this practice, or call the office directly at 407-323-3550.

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