The upside(down) of SPD

 

This child makes me smile everyday.  Her athletic ability is near freak show proportions. (This video is nothing compared to some of the things she can will her little body to do.)  Her teachers tell us they can't even look when she hits the playground at school because it takes years off their lives.

I get it.

The Bee was diagnosed with a sensory processing disorder about a year ago.

In SPD language our (BUSY) Bee is a sensory seeker... aka: Hyposensitivity To Movement (Under-Responsive):

__ in constant motion, can't seem to sit still

__ craves fast, spinning, and/or intense movement experiences

__ loves being tossed in the air

__ could spin for hours and never appear to be dizzy

__ loves the fast, intense, and/or scary rides at amusement parks

__ always jumping on furniture, trampolines, spinning in a swivel chair, or getting into upside down positions

__ loves to swing as high as possible and for long periods of time

__ is a "thrill-seeker"; dangerous at times

__ always running, jumping, hopping etc. instead of walking

__ rocks body, shakes leg, or head while sitting

__ likes sudden or quick movements, such as, going over a big bump in the car or on a bike

To us though she's just a talented gymnast, a gifted athlete and a wild wonderful explosive bundle of energy....who (gulp) visits the suture room at the ER a little more than most.


In today's diagnosis rich alphabet soup of parenting sometimes I think it's healthy to step back and appreciate the wonderful strengths these "differences" provide our children.  

I'm not minimizing the struggles...just appreciating with equal emphasis the gifts that come along with being different, (stitches aside).

(I haven't talked much about sensory processing disorder here.  I'm sort of hoping to find some other SPD moms, especially sensory seeker types to share tips on keeping our busy bees active and safe.  Would love to hear from you!)