I promised awhile back that I would do a post about Sensory Processing Disorders (also known as Sensory Integration Disorder), but my friend Jenn beat me to it, and said it all MUCH better than I could have. Go ahead, go read it. You know you want to. I'll wait...
Welcome back. Interesting stuff, right?!
There are several subjects I can talk about, knowledgeably. SPD is not one of them. Yes, we deal with it with Kameron, but I haven't done the research on it as I have with Down syndrome, with Leukemia, with Atlantoaxial and Occipital Instability. I know enough about SPD to understand Kameron and his needs... Over the years Kameron has gotten much better... for example, a year ago he wouldn't touch a rice krispie treat. OH he loved them, loved the taste and the crunch, but HATED the feel... even in the wrapper. I really served as his enabler by holding it for him while he took bites. Some parents would say this was the wrong thing to do. Perhaps. But I have learned to pick my battles. Slowly he has worked up to it and now he can hold them and eat them. About 5 years ago we took family pictures right before we left California. We decided to do them on the beach. Yeah, that wasn't the brightest idea we have ever had. Kameron hated sand. The look of sand, the feel of sand, everything. He freaked out. We finally were able to get pictures with all of us on a tarp, or with us holding him. He finally got over his sand issues about 2 years ago... but you still won't be seeing him playing on a beach by choice!
Just imagine being freaked out by the feel of sand, a rice krispie treat, play-doh, or one of millions of other things that kids with SPD deal with EVERY day. Imagine your heart racing and you go into a panic because someone says they're going to take you to the beach. Imagine looking at something like a piece of corn and feeling tears instantly spring to your eyes as your stomach starts turning and you feel like you're going to throw up. It's frustrating and it's scary. Occupational Therapists, Feeding Therapists, and Speech Therapists work with kids with SPDs all the time to help them overcome these fears, to get used to the sensations, to be able to function in life. Many times they are successful. Over the years, Kameron has made great strides. Other kids just can't get over it. Their brains won't allow them to. It's a hard thing to live with and it needs to be met with understanding and care by everyone involved in that child's life. Every small step that Kameron makes is a huge milestone for him. The fact that he can pick up play-doh, hold that rice krispie treat, eat those peas or corn, finger paint, and touch sand is something truly to be excited about even though everyone else his age has never had a problem with it. It's a real problem that real families all over the world deal with every day. And as their parents, we're SO proud of them with every obstacle they overcome!
Friday, November 7, 2008
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11 comments:
Until I met you I didn't even know this existed. Way to go Kameron! That is great how he has been able to overcome so much. That would be really tough on a child I think b/c so much of their life is tactile, especially when they are so young. Did those things bother him from the beginning like when he was a toddler. Just wondering since toddlers use their hands for so much stimulation and growing. I think you do a great job as a mom..I don't see you as an enabler just a loving mom who wanted her child to be able to enjoy something her loved! Kuddos to you too Renee :)
Well said! I live with a child with LOTS of sensory issues (visual, tactile, audio, proprecptive, vestibular). At school they follow a sensory diet or he is unable to function. At church he is terrified that someone will ring the bell. On the other hand, when he cut the bottom of his foot and needed 6 stitches to close it, I had no idea anything happened until I saw the blood all over the kitchen. I have also learned that you can get Velveeta shells and cheese at Target for a $1/box cheaper than at the grocery store. It is a BIG deal when you use 8 to 10 boxes a week :-)
Way to go! Kameron's strides are simply amazing!!! I still can't get Ryan to even contemplate touching a rice crispy treat, or corn! He's ok with sand, but the rice and bean table in our play room that his little brother adores, really freaks him out. He won't even go in the room if the cover is off of it! I think it's because of the mix of textures.
Of course, you know that Ryan's biggest sensory issue is with food, much like Kameron. He still will not eat ANYTHING, really. For the most part, everything he WILL eat is salty and bland--chips, ritz crackers, french fries. With the occasional exception. He will drink pretty much anything, though, as long as I don't sneak any sort of medicine into it, thank God!
I totally feel Janet's pain! We go through a gallon or more of milk in our house every day. Believe me, you learn quickly what stores have the cheapest milk in the area! LOL! Same w/ Ritz crackers! LOL!
You should be proud...you do a great job!
Rachel
I know where you're coming from here! Aidan loves sand, dried beans and pastas, etc., but never in a million years would he eat a rice krispie treat or crackers, and he can spy play doh a mile away and start gagging. Loud noises make him cry as if the world is ending. We've seen improvements, but it's been difficult. Plus, it's all really complicated to understand.... It's awesome that Kameron has come so far!!
Gosh, I think I might be mildly SPD. And imagine not having a name or treatment for it. When I was a kid I couldn't eat apples with the skin on because the skin made my mouth itch. My mom for the longest time thought I was just nuts. I to this day hate any sort of ground meat. It doesn't matter if it's ground chicken or turkey or beef. It all tastes the same to me. I've finally begin to think it's the texture. I love chicken. I will eat a steak or roast beef, but grind it up and it's just gross to me. So aren't you greatful to know that there are treatments for this and Kameron won't have to struggle with it to such a great extent forever and he can learn to tolerate these things in moderation? And really can you blame the kid for not liking sand. It gets in your shoes and in your pants and just sticks everywhere. And I'm all for the no playdough too ;).
Sweet Kameron has SOOO much to be proud of!
I love Jenn amd Mr.Gavin :)
I hear you! Caleb has sensory issues, too. Sometimes it is so hard to try and push him, but we do. I pray we don't push too hard some days!
SPD is a pain in the butt...not only to those of us who have it (however undiagnosed it may be...) and those who have to deal with those of us who have it!!
I was an incredibly difficult child - a lot of which came from sensory issues.
I've written a couple posts on my blog about SPD - only one during SPD awareness month...cause I suck at following through, lol.
But, I am planning to write another one soon!
WTG Kam!!!! and Renee, you are an awesome Mom, especially that you held his rice crispy treat.
I never liked sand and I grew up in S. Ca. I miss it now that i'm smack dab in the middle of the US, but it has an ucky feeling.
Thanks for sharing about Kam and the SPD; I'm sure it's hard to explain to anyone who is going through it how hard it actually is for the child! Sounds like he has made great strides!
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