Understanding Sensory Processing Disorder

A few days ago, LaToya posted the question:

How did you get an understanding of SPD??

When Bubs was just 18 months old, I realized that the “fits” that we were dealing with were not normal.  I talked to friends and family members but they didn’t get it.  They didn’t understand the magnitude of these fits and really how helpless I was to end them.  Like there was something wrong with me. 

I talked to our ped more than once and she told me to stay consistant.  Not want I needed to hear.  I read some books – Raising Your Spirited Child, Bringing Up Boys, The New Strong Willed Child.  After we were diagnosed I read – The Out-of-Sync Child and Sensational Kids.  All fine books but it wasn’t until I started talking to moms who “got it” and our OT that I felt like I was finally “getting it”. 

I have brothers taking piano lessons from me – one with Autism and the other with Asperger’s.  (God bless this momma!).  I picked her brain.  She gave me handouts and suggestions.  My neighbor has a son with Asperger’s.  We talk several times a week. 

For the first year of Bubs’ OT, I sat in on every minute.  Asking questions, observing, taking notes.  We went home and did the same things. 

I remember walking into Bubs’ OT eval.  After talking for a while, I looked our OT in the eyes and I said, “I will do absolutely anything you tell me to do.  I just want my son back.”  And we have.  If she says to write, we write.  If she says to jump, we jump. 

If I see that something is triggering a meltdown, we take that item to OT.  Bubs was deathly afraid of riding his bike without training wheels.  The bike went to OT.  Bubs would throw an hour long fit is the kitchen timer went off.  The timer went to OT.  Bubs would lose it over not being able to get a shirt off.  The shirt went to OT.  As we all know, OT’s can get our kids to do many things that we would never be able to do.  The OT is going to try and trigger a reaction.  At first, it might not take much.  But by getting a reaction, then they can help the child learn how to handle the sensory issues. 

My point is…use your OT.  If you don’t have a good one – get one.  If they won’t help you – get a new one. 

Find a personal that you can vent to.  A friend won’t do.  You have to find someone who understand; has lived it.  Can’t find someone?  That’s fine.  You have me.  I promise to respond to every question or email. 

Together we will do more than survive.  We will enjoy the time we have with our Sensory Processing Disorder kiddos as well.