I often wonder how my son will describe his Sensory Processing Disorder when he gets older. How will he help those around him understand how he’s feeling when he’s overwhelmed?
Today on Voices of SPD we are joined by a teenage girl of Totally Abnormal who shares how she describes her oversensitivity to others.
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I Will Never “Get Used To It”
Since I read a lot of blog posts related to Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD), I have seen many people’s descriptions of what SPD is:
“The sensory sliders in my brain are all over the place.”
“My sensory cup is too big for some senses and too small for others.”
“Everything is multiplied for me.”
These are all good descriptions of SPD, but I wanted to think of a quick one. A simple one. One that would help people that had no prior knowledge of SPD know how oversensitivity feels.
I don’t get used to things.
This would be my description of oversensitivity; meaning my body is extra sensitive to certain sensory input. Oversensitivity isn’t the only way that SPD affects me, but it is the one I have to explain to other people most frequently.
Most people get used to unpleasant sensory input after a bit, but I don’t. It will either stay at the same discomfort level or get worse.
Most people get used to the way the tag on their shirt rubs against their skin after a few minutes. I don’t.
Most people get used to the noise of the party after a few minutes. I don’t.
Most people get used to the bright fluorescent lights in Target after a few minutes. I don’t
Most people get used to the mushy texture of rice after a few bites. I don’t.
Most people get used to the smell of Lysol in a recently cleaned room after a few minutes. I don’t.
Most people get used to the scratchy feel of jeans after a few minutes. I don’t.
This could go on, but you get the idea; I don’t get used to the everyday input that most people do. Most of the time this is a pain in the butt, but this piece of knowledge can be used as a coping strategy if I use it right. If I’m in a loud room and I don’t have earplugs, I can cover my ears for intervals of a few minutes to keep myself from getting overloaded, and so I can stay in the room. It is the progressive noise that gets to me, so covering my ears helps me “reset.”
So, to all of the people who tell me that I’ll “get used to” the noise or the bright lights or the scratchy feeling of jeans, I know you mean well, but I know my body and I know I won’t. Please instead help me cope with the sensory input, and know that this is something that doesn’t come easily to me.
To read more about Sensory Processing Disorder in adults:
Uptight & Off Center: How Sensory Processing Disorder Throws Adults Off Balance & How to Create Stability
The Highly Sensitive Person: How to Thrive When the World Overwhelms YouToo Loud, Too Bright, Too Fast, Too Tight: What to Do If You Are Sensory Defensive in an Overstimulating WorldThe Out-of-Sync Child Grows Up: Coping with Sensory Processing Disorder in the Adolescent and Young Adult Years
This post originally appeared on Totally Abnormal. You can read more there.
If you’d like to become a part of Voices of SPD on The Sensory Spectrum, please read about how to join Voices of SPD.
I really appreciate this post! People tell us all the time that my daughter needs to “get used to” x, y or z. I can’t stand it! I think it’s so unfair and hypocritical that they demand she do something impossibly uncomfortable and yet they, the ones spouting the refrain of “get used to it,” can’t/won’t make the step and accommodate *her* instead of the other way around. I wish I could find more info on how to handle this!
I couldn’t agree more! It’s amazing the accommodations our kids make to meet other people’s expectations but others are not willing to make that step to help out our kids.