Hello. I am a mother of a 6 year old who has Sensory Processing Disorder. This is my first time in a chat room of any kind (at the tender age of almost 39!) and I am doing this at the recommendation of a friend. We have been dealing with SPD for most likely all 6 years but really didn't know it until we confirmed a diagnosis in May. I am drowning b/c my sweet, funny, charming child will turn into a monster (forgive the word but that's the best word that comes to mind right now) at the drop of a hat. Right now that can happen without warning and my husband and I (and our 3 year old daughter) are really struggling. His friends are not wanting to play with him as much any more (he is a very social child too) b/c of his tantrums. I am hoping by communicating with other people who have kids with SPD or who have it themselves I can gain some insight and have some strategies. Sadly, just working with the OT right now isn't cutting it. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Hello! I'm really glad to get to meet you.
As someone who has SPD herself but knows how scary a meltdown can look from the inside and the outside, I can understand why it is so hard to have a child who so completely changes. Dan recently posted a nice
article about meltdowns that might help give you a starting point to making sense of some of what might be going on in your son's head. And I agree with you, OT by itself may not be enough until you and your family and your son all learn together how to help him with his struggles with what sets him off. It can be very frustrating. But it sounds like you are making steps in the right direction for learning and growing towards better solutions.
If you have specific things that you know set him off, I'm sure people would be glad to share what helps them. Different people have different sensitivities or undersensitivities, so getting a handle on what his are should help a lot to start.
I know it's frustrating. I'm glad you're here to share this with us. Together, I'll bet we can figure something out.
For me personally, having the people around me become quieter and turn off music, turn off the lights, warm up the room, and put blankets on me will help break me out of a "freeze" meltdown.
Most of my meltdowns are of the "freeze" type and I become useless until my environment changes enough that I can "function" again.
Thank you so much for responding to this. I really appreciate the insight and I will definately check out this article. I am glad there are people like yourself who are willing to give us some personal information on this. Right now, as you probably know, my 6 year old can't explain to us what is happening. Any other information you feel might help would be appreciated. Thank you again!!!
Kathi