Sadly, dealing with Sensory Processing Disorder means that unless I have a quick resolve on an issue or challenge, my thoughts go into overdrive, or panic.
Anything that involves dealing with how my senses see or deals with an issue or challenge, can makes that issue or challenge seem totally out of my depth, until I find a resolve on it. I do however, tend to work through every day decisions effortlessly.
Visual changes bring my Sensory Processing Disorder back, as does a lack of resolve on issues that are bigger than what would be average every day decisions. I’m not a worrier, but I do deal with panic and fear, brought about through a lack of recognition on a way forward, through extensive damage to my frontal lobe, which deals with my emotions.
I usually struggle when problems aren’t discussed and I’m given a fait accompli, which doesn’t concur with my own thinking and my senses go into overdrive. But what I need is help and understanding, not condemnation when others think I need to perhaps approach and tackle my issues and thinking differently.
If brain damage or neurological impairments allowed us to work more than one way, those of like me with brain damage wouldn’t have extensive neurological impairments and there would be a way to work around allowing us to work and think differently.
As difficult as your journey of explanation has been and will undoubtedly continue to be, with increased knowledge, comes increased understanding.
I agree with you and you're right, but although increased knowledge brings more understanding, the understanding behind the why I wasn't told doesn't get any easier.
I tend to draw comfort in what I do now, what I have with the site and that softens the blow, but it doesn't remove the hurt, sadly.
My son has SPD really bad. But he has frontal lobe atrophy also and his executive functions don't work either. He is 9 almost 10.
He has to be fed, wears diapers and basically we do every thing for him, as far as daily activities like bathing and self-care. Most all his senses are heightened so he gets very upset with the least little thing.
Loud noises are especially bothersome to him (but he will listen to his iPad on full blast!) He is a visual learner and seems to remember things instantly. If something is bothering him he gets severely upset.
He screams, kicks, hits, spits and throws things when upset and sometimes it last for an hour or so. We've tried different things with him and even though he is a quick learner on some aspects, he just can't get a hold of his coping skills.
We've just learned taking him outside helps a lot, but if it's bad weather out we can't do that. We tried the 'brushing technique' once and it made him worse. We put him in his bed, to get him out of the situation and calm down, but that doesn't always work.
It's very difficult to deal with and I'm sure it's just as bad for him.
I feel for you Lisa, because I know what I deal with; but what I deal with isn't as bad as your descriptions of what your son has to deal with. It must be terrifying for all of you.
The early years are the most significant in any child's life and we worry we may get that wrong. Your intention of course is to find the quickest method that works that won't scar our children long term.
All you can is what you can do and find what works for all of you. Hopefully you'll have those you can call upon to give you a little help with how to diffuse certain situations with him.
The one thing we do to help diffuse the situation, is put him in his bed and take everything out of it. Anything that will stimulate him we remove if possible, it's almost like a sensory deprivation.
His Developmental Pediatrician suggested it a long time ago and it works for him. We let him stay there until he calms himself down. We now allow his blankets and a few other security items in bed with him to help him calm down. And believe it or not, he will go to time, out on his own sometimes.
We do have professionals we can call if we need to. And he has these behaviors at school also. Usually the teacher (who is trained to handle kids like Brandon) does very well with him and they have a time-out space for him there, also.
If she has to call us it's pretty bad. I think he had 3 episodes last year like that.
Thanks Lisa. Any parenting is difficult, but I would think dealing with a special needs child is even more difficult. Unless we know what it is like to deal with a special needs child, it would be difficult to comment.
It's what works for you and your family. with my own children I chose to implement good discipline and following through on that discipline. Although I was quite strict and followed my discipline through, if I had my time again I would still do the same thing. They know their boundaries and that's important.
Sadly, with any special needs child, it's also difficult to know how much is bad behaviour and how much is because they're frustrated or they're in pain. Experience and motherly instinct will hopefully help you work that out.