Day 9

Corbin had another trip to see Diana on Friday. She noticed many new things with him. The most remarkable was seeing him play with things and he had a sort line to go with them. He also was able to just sit. Huge!!

Yesterday, day 8 he listened for 30 min. 

Today at church Corbin played with his toys and also just sat on my lap. I was amazed!  He has rarely done thatabd has done that in public even less. 

Today we started the second disc to see how he will do. It is his first time with it at home. When I was in Mankato on Friday I  picked up some things to keep in a basket just for his listening times. There is a fishing pole with fish, a tool kit, a few lizards, a doctor kit, and a grabber toy. I also threw in a few light up balls for a fun sensory response. This is him today. 

Day 6

Today was a more rough day at school. He had a hard time walking around friends. He likes to take the shortest route possible even if that means walking "through" people. Tonight he listened to his listening system for 35 minutes. 

Day 4 and 5

Yesterday Corbin only allowed for 10 minutes of the listening system. I think it was because we did it too late in the day. So today we did it right after preschool. He only got 30 minutes. Tomorrow I plan to try right after lunch. That has worked well for him in the last few days. 

Listening Day 3

Another day, another session.  Corbin is on day 3 of his listening system.  Day 1: 45 min (or was it 50?)  Day 2: 35 min  Day 3: 45 minutes.  Both day 1 and 3 Corbin fell asleep early and not in bed (once on the couch and once at the dinner table).  I wonder if there is a correlation.  time will tell.

He seems to be more calm already.  Able to deal with more than he used to be able to.  Today during his session he was drooling more than normal, he was incredibly focused on building his Legos though, so that may have contributed.

Listening

Who knew that listening could be so important.  Today we started a new venture with Corbin.  We started the SAMONAS listening system.  He listened today for 45 minutes.  I was very impressed.  At the 15 minute mark he wanted to be done but we did a puzzle together and that got us to the 45 minute mark.  For the first day I am very happy.  He is to listen for 30-60 minutes each day.  We will see if this might help out some of his issues with his disorder (like SLEEPING!).

My son with SPD

My Child's Sensory Life

Each child is different, they say.
Each child is special, they say.
Each child has their own gifts and talents, they say.
Each child has their own needs, they say.

What they don't say, is that each child may have their own special world.  For my son, it revolves around his senses.  My son has SPD, Sensory Processing Disorder.

Eating a hamburger isn't just eating a hamburger any more.  It is remembering to make sure they don't add pickles (they are "slimy") and ketchup and mustard (they may "leak" on to his hands).  When the hamburger "leaks" onto my sons hands, he has to wash them.

Ordering Bear Pancakes from a chain restaurant isn't just ordering pancakes.  If they don't look the same, he may have a melt down, like he did tonight.  And if they whipped cream eyes melt before he is ready, he may have a melt down, like he did tonight.  And if we cut them wrong, he may have a melt down, like he did tonight.  Tonight was not a good night.

A day with my son will be one of the brightest that you may have known for a very long time.  My son is an amazing boy.  He can put together a Lego turtle like no other 4 year old that I know.  He can sing a song that he has only heard once, word for word.  My son gives the BEST hugs.  My son is very compassionate.

A day with my son may seem like many others.  A day with my son may also include many coping techniques that you do not see.

You see, my son has to use a certain spoon to eat his cereal.  So, each day I make sure that he can have that spoon at the breakfast table.
You see, my son cannot wear a t-shirt with a tag on it.  So I make sure to cut them all out and make sure all the "pokies" are out.
You see, my son has to wear the same coat every day, the same mittens, the same hat, and the same boots, even when he doesn't need them.
You see, my son has SPD.

Noises may be too loud.  Sand may be too rough.  Shaving cream may be too soft.  A touch on the hand may feel like a smack on the hand or I may not feel it at all.  You see, his body does not process things like you and me.

Please don't judge my son and please don't judge me.  You see this is not his fault nor is it mine.  This is a disorder just like any other.  Just because you cannot see it does not make it real.