What a Child with Sensory Processing Disorder (“SPD”) Would Tell You If They Could:

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This was posted on the Facebook, so to all who are not on FB thought I forward this here.RE:What a Child with Sensory Processing Disorder (“SPD”) Would Tell You If They Could:

1. I have SEVEN senses, not five. Each of them affects the way I feel and learn and interact with those around me.

2. I must have a calm mind and a calm body in order to learn. I have a

bright mind that becomes lost and confused with a traffic jam of input

from my sensory system.

3. There are many red flags to my disorder that are often-times

unintentionally disregarded: I’m not being a “big boy” or girl for not

crying after that “huge fall” – I may be unaware or unresponsive to

pain or touch. I may be very bothered by overcrowded areas, or my

clothing may bother me to the point of a meltdown. I may avoid touching

any thing “messy” like glue, mud, or even my birthday cake! Noises may

bother me to the point of a full-body “startle”, or my hands may “fly”

up to my ears to cover the sound. It may be hard for me to wind down to

go to sleep at night; or I may never nap during the day or sleep

through the night. I might chew on my clothing at the sleeves or

collars excessively. All of these things can indicate a body that is

having trouble staying regulated.

4. Meltdowns are not the same as a tantrum. A meltdown is an outburst

of rage or frustration caused by stress (i.e. caused by sensory

overload) A meltdown is not a tantrum. A tantrum is intentional

behavior for the purpose of manipulation.

5. I do best when I have a routine; it comforts me and gives me

something that I can count on when most of the time everything in my

day feels out of control.

6. Transitions are hard for me (and the words “no”, “don’t”, and “STOP” are all transition words).

7. A Sensory Diet is an important part of my day. Every Day.

8. I am not going to “grow out” of my SPD. With sensory-based

Occupational Therapy and maturity, I will learn self-coping skills but

my disorder will never “just go away”.

9. If I “could”, I “would. You can’t coax a sensory sensitive system to

do something you want it to. If I’m having a hard time with my clothes,

or the weather, or the noise, or the food in front of me, WORDS usually

aren’t the answer to make things better for me.

10. I am brave. I face a world that doesn’t understand me every day.