Sensory Processing Disorder: The Dreaded Call

Thank you Valeen. Even though our sons have different issues, I totally know where you are coming from. Especially the "Can't you control your child?" stuff. It teaches me a lot about judgement. I remember when Elijah was diagnosed, I was like "Yes! It's not that I'm a lousy parent! Then, of course, the reality of the diagnosis and what that was going to mean started to sink in. Not totally though. Some of the reality continues to hit even five years later.

It's a great day when you find a good school. Isn't it?

Every minute of lost sleep. Every disapproving stare or sharp comment from other parents at the pool or the shopping mall. Every moment of worry about whether he would ever find a comfortable place in the world -- they are all worth it when I see him smile.

I wouldn't have any other child in the world in place of my quirky little boy.

Thanks for writing. You're right that far too few people even know what SPD is, let alone how to approach a child who has it.

i just love this post. sometime i can't put into words what my daughter is feeling, let alone what SPD is.

she is only 3 and we have a LONG journey ahead, but i am always comforted by other mothers who are on my journey.

and for the record, you should have shot the person who made the abortion comment. :)

mommy. foster mommy. q-tip addict.

FootPrints ( http://ohanafootprints.blogspot.com/ )

OMG, I literally had to take a moment to recover from this post before I could respond. And as I do the tears are still there. As a mom with two high functioning ADHD children, I won't say I fully understand but I kind of do. The issues our kids face make them who they are, the amazing loving people but it makes some days very hard. But OMG, I can't imagine anyone ever making that abortion comment in my presence, about my child or anyone else's. I know I've thought and even said to my husband something like, "oh looks like its time to take them home," but that comment, regardless of a child's behavior is NEVER EVER in a million years anywhere close to appropriate!!!! how does someone like that sleep at night after making a comment like that about a CHILD!!! I feel guilty enough when I consider that the mom I gave a nasty look to because her child was out of control may have been dealing with more than I knew, I can't imagine! I say it is actually the person who said that that should question THEIR existence!! (ok not really, I value all life but you know what I mean. HOW HORRIBLE!)

I am in graduate school to become a teacher and part of our curriculum is a course on Special Education...I knew so little about it before going into the course and I'm amazed at how incorrect or biased some of my own thoughts were (that I assumed were facts or the norm before actually educating myself.) As a class, we essentially vow to become an advocate for every student with special needs. This post was great, thank you for sharing :)

Thank you for sharing your story and linking to my blog!

Learning about how our children's sensory systems work, and how difficult it is for them to regulate their bodies is a HUGE first step. One that it sounds like you are making huge strides at -- knowing that it is sensory not behavior is so important! Occupational Therapy will be very helpful for your son and your ability to help him through the meltdowns.

And, on behalf of the person who made the incredibly inappropriate and hurtful comment in reference to abortion -- I am so sorry.

Best of luck on your SPD journey!
Hartley
Award winning author of
This is Gabriel Making Sense of School
www.hartleysboys.com ( http://www.hartleysboys.com )
SPD Blogger Network