Does my child have Sensory-Processing Disorder?

brittinmarieva
Apr 22, 2021
5 min read

Updated: Apr 26, 2021

Sensory-Processing Disorder

image from google

Let me preface by saying I am not an Occupational therapist or a medical doctor. I’m a mom with a 3.5-year-old and experiencing what most likely is a sensory processing disorder.

We are in the early stages of getting services, so I don’t know as of yet if she will even receive them at her school. If not, then I have to access the services through my insurance. This is a whole different blog in itself if you know anything about the evaluation process and the schools. Usually, schools do not want to pay for these services if it doesn't affect your child academically. (I hope you're having a good experience because I know it is a long difficult process).

For the sake of keeping my blog semi-short and not long-winded, I am not including all the facts of SPD here. That is why I am including a free printable of great resources for you to click on and do more research. Plus, there are actual Occupational therapist bloggers and professionals that have their information that I included in the resource list that have great facts and information.

What is SPD?

Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) is a brain-based problem that affects approximately five percent of school-age children. One subtype of SPD is Sensory Over Responsivity (SOR). SOR kids respond to sensory information (i.e. sound and touch) as though it were extremely aversive. They feel continually bombarded by stimuli. The resulting physiologic over-arousal and emotional dysregulation negatively impact the child’s daily functioning. Patterns of unstable moods are typical and SPD children find even pleasurable activities difficult, or unbearable. (This definition was taken from https://sensoryprocessingdisorderparentsupport.com/what-is-spd.php)

I hate to use the word “disorder” when it seems the issue is the systems' ability to interact with one another (brain and body). It is something we cannot control, but we can manage it.

My daughter has a lot of sensory “quirks”. It is one thing being in the mental health field and working with children, but a whole new world living with it! I admit I didn’t know how to handle her sensory issues so well. I would think she is stalling, she is being dramatic, or she is doing this to get a reaction out of me. I feel so guilty when I think about these things because people with sensory processing disorder don’t mean to “inconvenience” us. Neurologically, they are in pain or their senses are out of balance. I am learning, taking webinars, and understanding our new ways of living, what events we probably should avoid, etc etc. The list goes on.

We struggle on a daily basis as to what pair of pants to wear. One day she will love a pair of pants, the next day it is a meltdown and we are both in tears.

The socks. I would throw all of these socks away if I knew they would bother my daughter so much. Now I am going to buy her the seamless pair. They have so much sensory-friendly clothing now, unfortunately, it is more expensive.

Clothing. My daughter comes home and takes all of her clothes off so she is naked. It’s as if she is saying “hallelujah”!! I used to be upset because if we had a zoom call, I would be panicking since I knew it would be a struggle for her to put her clothing back on. I just recently spoke to a pediatric Occupational therapist and they said, and not verbatim, “imagine wearing uncomfortable clothes all day, kudos to her for struggling all day and when she is in her home, feeling safe, she gets to rip it all off!”. I had a weight lifted off my shoulders when she said this!

I had other professionals such as her play therapist making goals for her to keep her clothes on after school. That is another thing, conflicting advice from several professionals. It all gets confusing, overwhelming. Whatever. Now I don’t mind if she flaunts her nakedness because at least she is going to school (this was an issue due to separation anxiety). At least she wore clothes to school and not her pajamas, at least she is healthy and happy. We put so much pressure on ourselves and I was putting pressure on her to do these expectations and for who and what purpose? Choose and pick your battles. I have too many so I really have to slim mine down.

Lighting. My daughter is so sensitive to light, that I draw the blinds when it is too sunny out for her. Goodbye beautiful sunshine. We have turned into vampires!! I can hear myself saying “I vaaaant to suck your blooooood” I am not judging my daughter, it is just to show that we as parents, have to accommodate our lifestyles for their sensory needs. I do it because I don’t want her in pain or uncomfortable. There are days I don’t want to be in the sun. We all have to put ourselves in their shoes. I have tried asking her to wear sunglasses inside but no luck. So, in the dark, we will live. It isn’t like this every day, depending on her mood or sensitivity.

The experts call the systems needs Sensory Diet. I love this one from understood.org (https://www.understood.org/search-results/v1/search?query=sensory+diet)

Sensory Diet includes:

Proprioceptive: internal body awareness in joints, muscles, ligaments, and other connective tissue. Tells you where body parts are without looking. Ex: grasping utensils, fluid movement, navigating space.

Vestibular: Orientation in space.

Tactile processing: touch. What do you feel? Where? Is it dangerous? Light touch versus deep pressure, temperature, food texture, pain experiences, vibration.

Auditory: sound, visual, taste, and smell.

Like I mentioned earlier, there are so many blogs and resources out there to see what activities you can do with your child to obtain one or many of these or to diminish, depending on your child’s needs.

Good luck in your journey. I can empathize with you and know that you are your child's best advocate!

I made a resource page of links to download with links to learn more about sensory processing disorder. It also includes clothing brands that are sensory-friendly. I will keep adding to this but I had to share now!!

This is an affiliate link. I will receive a commission or discount if you sign up for Rakuten. It is no cost to you. I love saving money so I figured let me share this and if you sign up even better! Secondly, they send you checks from simply shopping. You have to sign in first and choose the store or brand your shopping first. They have sent me checks in the past. I am not getting rich from it but it feels good knowing that your earning something back when your shopping.

Save money when you shop these products for your kids!

Xo Britt, BMVAS

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