It’s a scenario that sends chills down the spine of every parent: the dreaded phone call from the school principal requesting a meeting to discuss your child’s behavior. My heart sank as I thought, “Not again.” The early morning meetings only added to my discomfort, forcing me to sit in those tiny chairs designed for kids, making me feel like I was back in school being reprimanded.
During that meeting, we learned that our five-year-old son, Leo, was struggling in the classroom and having difficulties interacting with his peers and teachers. Unlike other schools that left the problem-solving to me, the principal surprised me by introducing the concept of sensory processing disorder (SPD) and handing me a flyer for an organization called Sensory Solutions.
That morning, I found myself on the phone with a representative from Sensory Solutions, and within just a few minutes, I had the feeling we were beginning to unravel the complex puzzle of Leo’s behavior.
Sensory processing involves how a child’s nervous system interprets sensory information—sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell—and then reacts accordingly. For children with sensory issues, their brains struggle to organize the myriad of signals they receive, leading to inappropriate responses. Various forms of SPD exist, including sensory over-responsivity, sensory under-responsivity, and sensory seeking behaviors.
Leo, for instance, is uncomfortable with touch from unfamiliar people. If someone invades his personal space or snatches a toy, he reacts defensively. He has a strong aversion to wearing socks and still needs pull-ups at night. Loud environments, like classrooms, agitate him; once, he even shouted for silence in a busy doctor’s waiting room. He can’t tolerate the smell of our meals or the sound of our chewing, often opting to eat in another room. Ironically, when it comes to ice cream, he revels in making a mess, getting it everywhere! Mornings are slow for him, and any change in routine sends him into a tailspin. We had mistook these behaviors as simply being difficult, but now we understood better.
Later that day, while at the park, a neighbor struck up a conversation about school. I hesitated to share that we had switched schools after being asked to leave our previous one. To my surprise, she revealed her own struggles with her son’s SPD, opening the door to a much-needed dialogue.
In just one day, I had three discussions about SPD, a topic I had been completely unaware of before. Shortly after, my neighbor gifted me a book titled “Sensational Kids” by Lucy Jane Miller, promising to return to discuss her family’s journey with their now-thriving son.
After Leo’s evaluation, he received a clear diagnosis of sensory processing disorder. Unfortunately, public schools and insurance often overlook SPD, so the formal terms used were dyspraxia (motor-planning issues), hypotonia (low muscle tone), and coordination disorder. Simple tasks like walking heel to toe, maintaining a cannonball position, or jumping vertically were beyond him. He struggled with eye contact and basic drawing skills, not due to a lack of intelligence or effort, but because his brain wasn’t sending the right signals to his body.
I shed tears realizing how I hadn’t fully understood his challenges. Yet, with each piece of the puzzle we uncovered, we moved closer to helping him thrive.
We learned that mouth muscles develop before hand muscles, which explained Leo’s long history in speech therapy since toddlerhood. He has a habit of chewing on his shirt collars, making holes in them, and craves hot chocolate, gum, and salt-and-vinegar chips for their sensory stimulation.
Leo also enjoys biking and kayaking, activities that involve simple, repetitive movements that his body naturally adapts to. We hold onto hope that he might excel in sports one day.
Occupational therapy emerged as a vital component of his journey. Leo’s therapist visits his school weekly, and it’s clear that she is passionate about helping children with SPD, having transitioned from engineering to this field to support her own son.
As the fall approached, I couldn’t shake the worry that Leo might not be ready for kindergarten. Every parent wants their child to fit in and succeed. Yet, after that initial parent-teacher conference, I found renewed hope. Our school is committed to collaboration, and I’m grateful for the support from family and friends who recognize Leo’s potential.
That evening, a friend left an uplifting note and a bottle of wine on my porch, reminding me that I’m doing my best as a mom. Having allies who understand what my child is facing is invaluable.
The greatest gift for Leo is that, as his parents and teachers, we’re slowly beginning to grasp the challenges he faces. With this understanding, we can offer him the time, patience, and empathy he needs to navigate and thrive in this complex world.
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Summary:
This article discusses the challenges faced by a mother, Sarah Mitchell, as she navigates her son Leo’s diagnosis of sensory processing disorder. It highlights the importance of understanding SPD, the support from community and resources, and the hope that comes from addressing these sensory challenges through therapy and understanding.