goodfountain

I am about six months late in reading the Out of Sync Child. It was about that long ago that I was told Chee had some Quirks and was High Spirited. The OT that evaluated her suggested I read Raising Your Spirited Child. Which I did. And truth be told, I didn’t see a whole lot of Chee in there. I certainly wasn’t one of the head-nodding parents crying with relief at finding out an explanation for why my child was different.

Let me back up a minute. Chee started Speech Therapy with Miss Sandra about a year ago. This was after the identification of a Social-Pragmatic Language Delay. A few months into the therapy, Miss Sandra felt that Chee was not progressing as fast as she could be and recommended an Occupational Therapy evaluation for Sensory Processing Disorder.

What?!! I saw ZERO signs of this. That really wasn’t saying much as I had absolutely no clue what the signs were. I knew something about clothing bothering kids with Sensory problems (not Chee) and Miss Sandra said that frequent, intense temper tantrums were the tell-tale sign (again, not Chee). I made her explain what she saw in Chee that prompted her to suggest an evaluation. She said that it’s because Chee was uncomfortable when she (Miss Sandra) took her hands. My reaction to that was, “Whatever. She holds my hand with no problem.”

However, I knew, in the way that Mothers know, that something was off with Chee. Despite the anxiety that waiting for evaluations causes me, I set it up. I had promised myself that I would do whatever it takes to help Chee get where she needs to be (a mindset I’ve since cast aside for a new one - help Chee be the best she can be).

Fast forward a few months. The evaluating OT tells me that Chee doesn’t have any significant Sensory issues, that she’s kind of Quirky but, “we can help her with that so that she doesn’t have problems in school.” It’s kind of foggy to me, but we agreed to start weekly therapy. At this point, no one has suggested the Kranowitz book. I’m reading the High Spirited book and not having any A-Ha moments.

At our first therapy session, the OT asks me to set the goals of where I want Chee to be in a few months. I am confused. Um, she’s Quirky, so, um, get rid of her Quirks? Hmm, that doesn’t sound right. Um, what is it that makes her Quirky again? OT draws me a nifty grid with boxes and wavy lines and words like Over Responsive Shutdown and Sensory Seeking. She puts red dots where Chee fits.

Still confused.

We end the session agreeing to work on Chee not liking to get her nails trimmed or her bangs cut, and her inability to participate in group activities (like Storytime). These are Quirks?

A couple of months later our name came up on the wait list at a smaller Occupational Therapy facility that specializes in Sensory Processing. The place has a fabulous reputation, and as I was disappointed with how things were going with our current OT and seriously considering just quitting, we jumped ship over to the new place.

Things were better right from the start. There was a more formal standardized evaluation which identified some significant fine motor delays. The OT set the goals and direction of therapy (with my agreement of course). This makes more sense to me. While I’m the expert on Chee, I’m certainly no expert on SPD. And she recommended I read the aforementioned book.

Finally, I am. Twice this week I have gone to the gym, deposited Chee and Ess in the child care, and sat in the cafe reading the book, taking notes as I go. I’m writing down what I see that applies to Chee.

What I have determined so far is that Chee has Sensory Modulation Disorder and Sensory-Based Motor Disorder. I’ve only made it through two senses (it’s slow going when you’re taking notes). But the big A-Ha is that she is a Sensory Seeker. Honestly, I didn’t see it until reading the book . I know she likes to touch me a lot and that she likes to fall down. But seeing a long list in black & white print … and seeing check check check next to so many boxes (nearly every single one on the Tactile - Sensory Seeking checklist) … wow, that really brought it home.

Congratulations, Mom, you have a Sensory Seeker!

This doesn’t phase me. The 4-5 months we have been with this therapist have yielded some major changes for Chee. She has substantially more confidence in her Self. No longer afraid to try new things (like enclosed slides). There’s more body awareness. Her general awareness level has skyrocketed. Improved language. Better impulse control.

Through reading this book, I’m identifying what atypical sensory responses she is demonstrating. My hope is to use the information along with her therapist to create an improved Sensory Diet at home. I’ve already made a few changes and seen some results.

It feels like it’s been a bit of a rough road to get to this point. I know there are others who have had it even worse, and we still have a ways to go. No doubt.

We seem to have found our equilibrium perhaps. The right therapist, an enlightened Mom, and one amazing little girl. There’s no stopping us now.