I have a child with Special Needs.
There. I said it.
I hate the images that term conjures up in my head.
Visions of her sitting in a classroom, separate from her peers, an aide by her side.
Although, with the amazing therapist she’s working with, I truly hope she’ll be able to integrate seamlessly with her schoolmates when the time comes.
Last week, Blythe had her first therapy appointment for her OCD. While we were there, the psych also tested Blythe’s ability to tolerate sensory changes.
The results were not so good, although not entirely unexpected.
Sensory Processing Disorder.
Another disorder. Another ailment to add to her list. Another hurdle for her to overcome. It’s not as if she didn’t have it before, it just didn’t have a name.
Now, we have an action plan. The therapies for SPD and OCD are similar enough that they can be combined.
There are also things we can do at home. We’re supposed to push her limits just until she starts to get uncomfortable, and then back off.
– We’re to have her ride on her daddy’s shoulders every evening, and then reward her with a popsicle.
– We’re to rub her tummy.
– We’re to play “shampoo” on her head with a puppet.
– We’re to explore touching new textures and fabrics.
– We’re to talk about how they feel to us, and encourage her to tell us how they feel to her.
I’m excited that we have so many treatment options. But saddened. I can’t help it.
She has Special Needs, but she is just my beautiful, sweet, charming baby girl.
14 replies on “Special”
This is one of those hard diagnoses. The great thing about SPD is, with work, the effects can be mitigated.
A couple suggestions – look into deep massage. It can really help kids with SPD. Get the book “The Out-of-Sync Child”. It’s the bible for parents with SPD kids.
On twitter, connect with @PsychMamma and @heathersebi98. They have experience with SPD kids and are more than willing to share and help. I’ve found them to be a huge resource in trying to figure out V’s SPD issues.
And if you have questions, feel free to give me a shout. I’m not an expert by any stretch of the imagination, but I can offer you a place to vent if you need it.
(hugs)
Good luck with this and hugs to you. I have a co-worker who’s daughter has a sensory disorder as well. It’s mainly a Not sure if it specifically the same one. Sounds tome like you have a great therapist working with her, which makes all the difference.
Hey – the operant word here is special. No matter what challenges she faces, she’s your beautiful girl and she’s special to you and all those who love her. I’m sure the extra help will make her even more special down the line.
Thinking of you,
Tricia 🙂
Sounds like you’ve got a great therapist and a great plan. Carmen (@mttsm) also has a SP kid so she may also be able to answer some questions you have too. (Hers is in school, integrated, so she’s just ahead of you and has been there!)
((hugs))) for the future! With a mom like you, she’ll do great!
Sorry to hear about this, but you guys are brilliant and I’m sure she’ll benefit greatly from the therapy and your efforts.
Hugs to you…it sounds like you have a great support system around you. Keep your head up.
I think it’s great that you guys got her into therapy so early.
We all have things that make us different…hers are just easily diagnosed. She’ll do great Andrea, I’m sure she will.
I am glad that she is young and with the grace of God she can move past this.
My daughter is 28 and we have struggled for 15 years. Her OCD is now BDD and as a mother I have to hear her tell me almost daily that she wants to die, wants to kill herself. I will pray for your daughter to respond to the treatment.
Despite anything else, the fact that to you, she is just your beautiful sweet charming baby girl, is more important than anything else!
I’m sorry. I know how heartbreaking a diagnosis like this must be. But she is still the same girl she ever was, and it sounds like thanks to you she is getting the best help. Sending lots of hugs your way…
It’s great that you went for a diagnosis and started a treatment plan so early. Too many people pretend there isn’t a problem until forced to. Early intervention is always the best.
Hi there, well, this is another thing we have in common. Don’t know how much you’ve read over at the ‘ol blog o’ mine, but my little guy also has Sensory Processing Disorder and has been in OT for it since about 18 mo when we discovered his speech delay. He’s now in the district’s pre-school for speech and receives his speech and OT at the school. He’s an under-sensor and his sensory seeking has definitely decreased over time with therapies and a sensory “diet”. It does get better! Best of luck to you!
I too have a special needs child, in fact I may have two and I feel your pain. My son was in speech therapy for over a year and OT for at least two years (both for sensory integration and motor processing issues.) My daughter is starting OT tomorrow. My son is now 8 year old second grader and doing great! He even has friends, or at least a friend and many acquaintances. He will always be unique, which is wonderful and sometimes hard, but he has also learned how to blend more than I ever thought he would. I had to really grieve for a while, but I predict you’re in for some pretty amazing life insights because of your daughters specialness. You’re a great mom! I can tell that both you and your daughter are very lucky. Sarah = )
my daughter was just dx with ocd today……please share your advice …