Sensory processing (sometimes called "sensory integration" or SI) is a term that refers to the way the nervous system receives messages from the senses and turns them into appropriate motor and behavioral responses. Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD, formerly known as "sensory integration dysfunction") is a condition that exists when sensory signals don't get organized into appropriate responses. Pioneering occupational therapist and neuroscientist A. Jean Ayres, PhD, likened SPD to a neurological "traffic jam" that prevents certain parts of the brain from receiving the information needed to interpret sensory information correctly. A person with SPD finds it difficult to process and act upon information received through the senses, which creates challenges in performing countless everyday tasks. Motor clumsiness, behavioral problems, anxiety, depression, school failure, and other impacts may result if the disorder is not treated effectively. Symptoms of Sensory Processing Disorder, like those of most disorders, occur within a broad spectrum of severity. While most of us have occasional difficulties processing sensory information, for children and adults with SPD, these difficulties are chronic, and they disrupt everyday life.
Thats an overview of it. This next part is where I see A LOT of tristan.
Children with Sensory Processing Disorder often have problems with motor skills and other abilities needed for school success and childhood accomplishments. As a result, they often become socially isolated and suffer from low self-esteem and other social/emotional issues. These difficulties put children with SPD at high risk for many emotional, social, and educational problems, including the inability to make friends or be a part of a group, poor self-concept, academic failure, and being labeled clumsy, uncooperative, belligerent, disruptive, or "out of control." Anxiety, depression, aggression, or other behavior problems can follow. Parents may be blamed for their children's behavior by people who are unaware of the child's "hidden handicap."The part in bold is where I see him. He has so many emotional issues that it really explains it. SO my goal is to pinpoint the triggers and help prevent them as well as providing him with sensory friendly activities. She said after about 4 or 5 weeks she will have some take home tools for us.
As I have said time and time before I dont want there to be something wrong with him but my instinct is telling me there is something more and has been since he was a baby. I feel relieved that someone is finally listening to everything I am saying and we are finally getting some answers. I feel a little bummed because no one wants to hear things arnt working right in their kids. But I am glad I am finally getting the tools I need to help him and that its not just me being a 'bad parent'. Hes a great kid and so smart and funny and sweet but there are things that make him more emotional. She told us today that it looks like he has problems in the Tactile sensory area, sensory seeking, and audible. The other areas there are a few things that he is super sensitive to but not as much as these three. Our first goal is to help with the noises and his hyperfocusing so he can seem like he is actually paying attention to us. All I can say is counseling is really starting to pay off, and I am so happy I kept him in it and didnt let people get to me. Like his doctor said, "It doesnt make you a bad parent, it just means that you need extra tools to deal with a different type of child."
