“So when I saw this article in The New Republic yesterday disputing whether or not Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) is real or “sheer quackery” (their words), at first I just rolled my eyes and clicked away. But then I woke up this morning feeling like our story needed to be told because I am fortunate enough to have a platform for my son’s voice.” – Stephanie Giese, Huffington Post
CLICK HERE: How I Know Sensory Processing Disorder is Real
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Hi Jennifer! Thank you so much for writing this. Not only does my son have SPD, so do I. The only thing I wanted to mention is this: my kiddo is 8 now, and we have finally pinned down that he is an extrovert. He’s also High Funtioning Autistic. We struggled to find an accurate diagnosis until we had a child psychologist give him a “full panel psychological evaluation”. SPD is absolutely real, and it can totally be a stand alone diagnosis, I just wanted to share that Autism doesn’t always mean anti-social or being introverted, and for those people, it just means they desperately want/need help navigating that desire because the social boundaries component can still be a struggle. Hang in there momma, and again, thank you for using your platform to spread the word and validity that SPD is most definitely real. 💛💛🙌🏻🙌🏻
To be fair:
Six years ago, before my son was born, boy was I a sceptic too!
I clearly remember my friend, whos son had “sensory issues” ( my quotes!) saying that her son would get up every morning and smoosh the peanut butter all over the wall. I laughed and said “all he needs is a bit of good old fashioned doscipline!
Fast forward six years.
My sweet little rascal has pretty severe sensory processing disorder.
Its real.
And I dont laugh any longer.
I have been a nanny for 25 years. I have worked with children from newborn-teenage years.
I have had the title of “meanest nanny ever”. Ha! The children that I have cared for knew the routine that I offered them always kept them safe and on time. I still have a relationship with them and they appreciate me.
Everything has changed.
I am now caring for a lovely 3 year old with SPD. He also just finished autism testing and they diagnosed him to be on the spectrum. I have cared for him only since July and we are starting to get a lot closer and he trusts me a lot more.
His parents kind of let him be in charge of most things he wanted to do or he would throw a fit and scream. He would eat where he wanted to, when he wanted to and WHAT he wanted to.
Since I am the meanest nanny ever, I won’t let him eat wherever he wants to and if he wants something, I encourage him to ask me for it. He does not get what he wants unless he asks me for it. Since I have been requiring/demanding that he use his words, things have calmed down so much. He is much more relaxed knowing that he can communicate his needs. It so hard to say “no” to him when he communicates what he wants…..more fruit snack…..more iPad time….
We are getting through it together and he is such a sweet and fun little boy.