Good Morning!!

My name is Tricia Bliven-Chasinoff and I am posting here with the blessing of Michelle and Dan. In addition to being the mom of a child who has SPD (SMD, under-responsive) and Asperger's, I am also working with health-educator Lisa Davis on a book related to life with invisible disabilities.

Specifically, the book with be part of a series that began with Easy To Love But Hard to Raise, an anthology of stories about raising children with invisible disabilities (ADD/ADHD, SPD, OCD, etc.). Our book will expand the type of relationships examined to include the challenges of having (or being) a parent, sibling, spouse, friend, employer, etc, with an invisible disability.

I am posting here today because I am looking for people who want to share their stories about life with SPD -- either from the perspective of living with it yourself or as the spouse, child, sibling, friend, etc. of someone who is living with it.

Our hope for this book is 2-fold: 1) to provide a the opportunity for people to share their stories in a published book, and 2) to provide a resource to those affected by these disabilities. Several well-know SPD experts, including Lucy Jane Miller and Carol Kranowitz have agreed to contribute expert advice on individual stories. In addition, experts in the fields of OCD, anxiety, ASDs, etc., will also be contributing advice on relevant stories.

If you think you might be interested in sharing your story, or have any questions, please either reply to this thread or send us an email at triciaandlisa@gmail.com

We're looking forward to hearing from you!!

--Tricia

PS: I am including some info about Lisa and myself below:

Tricia Bliven-Chasinoff: Tricia has a Master’s Degree in Developmental Neuroscience and has published multiple scientific papers on the effect of various prenatal toxins on neurochemical, cognitive, and social development. She is currently a freelance writer and researcher in the field of integrative health and wellness and the mother of 2 school-aged children, including a son who has been diagnosed with both Asperger’s Syndrome and generalized anxiety disorder. Tricia has (more than enough!) personal experience with obsessive-compulsive disorder and anxiety.

Lisa Davis: Lisa has a Master's Degree in Health Education and Health Communications and she is the creator of the syndicated health radio show, It's Your Health. Lisa has also created several health television programs and has worked in health education in numerous settings for over twenty years. Lisa is the mother of a school aged daughter with non-verbal learning disorder (NVLD), attention-deficit disorder (ADD), and sensory processing disorder (SPD). Lisa is also the daughter of a woman who suffered through a lifetime of undiagnosed SPD

Hi Tricia,

I'd be more than willing to participate myself. I'm always looking to continue working for the cause in whatever form it may be. I also hope that at least a few other brave people feel welcomed to post interest here as well. This is a great opportunity for your story to be heard and shared across the SPD and greater invisible disabilities community in general!

Thanks again for posting this here and choosing our community as one of your avenues.

So is there more information about what you are wanting from us?

I might be interested in participated depending on whether I manage on getting stuff together. I have lately unfortunately been having a hard time getting thoughts onto paper.

I, too, will probably participate if you could tell us what you are looking for. It sounds like fun.

That is so awesome! I am totally interested! I am always looking to share mine as well as my girls' SPD stories

Oh yeah!! I'm so glad that ya'll are interested in participating!!

Basically, we are looking for stories (ideally around 2000 - 5000 words) about your experience with SPD. There have been several books about parenting children with SPD, but there is very little written about the effect of SPD on other relationships. We believe it is important to recognize the unique challenges of having (or being!) a spouse, parent, sibling, friend, employee/employer of someone with SPD. We'd like to know what those relationships are like. What are some of the struggles? How is your life different because you (or someone in your life) has SPD? Your stories can be serious or funny (or both!). Don't worry about sounding like a professional writer, as your stories will be edited for clarity and readability (and you will retain the full copyright to your story).

Stories can be posted here or submitted to triciandlisa@gmail.com

Please let me know if you have any questions!! I'm looking forward to reading your stories!!