When Riley was a wee screaming peanut, we met Stacey, a young occupational therapist who would change our lives. She was the first one to take us seriously about Riley’s intense meltdowns. She explained sensory integration dysfunction and talked to us about what it might feel like inside Riley’s body. Suddenly there was a reason we could put behind the behavior.
Several months back, Stacey asked me to write a little something for Sensory Integration Special Interest Section (SISIS) Quarterly Newsletter, a professional publication for occupational therapists. The focus of the article would be what it is like to parent someone who has sensory processing difficulties.
Here is what I came up with. Scroll down a little to find it. Hit the download button at the top to make it bigger.
As per usual with me, I forgot what I wrote two seconds after it was sent. I was a tad worried, because I vaguely remembered being in a wry, dry mood when I worked on it. Turns out it isn’t too terribly obnoxious, though with tongue planted firmly in cheek, I do bash the writers of television shows for children, and not for obvious reasons.
What’s it like to parent someone with sensory issues?
It’s restrictive, and it’s freeing. It’s all in how you look at it, day to day, moment to moment.
*Riley and Stacey, working hard, in 2004.
Link isn’t working for me, and I REALLY want to read it!
Loved the essay, Michelle. You should be proud.
I can’t get to it either. 🙁
I’m pronouncing that “sissies” for my own amusement
I’m sorry the link isn’t working! I can e-mail it to anyone who is just DYING to read it.
Nutshell…Riley was terrified of sneezes. Every kiddie show had sneezes. Sneezes apparantly are funny to most kids. When she was little I was reduced to despising the writers for their lack of creativity.
Also…Riley has spared us from a lot of overstim we didn’t even realize we were subjecting ourselves to, until we toned down our lifestyle for her. Turns out we didn’t like a lot of overstim either but had never stopped to notice!
Also…Hey OT’s, you’re just one part of the puzzle, not the whole shebang. Be nice to us parents. We have a lot on our minds.
That about sums it up. xo
lol .. i like the reader’s digest version. 😉
The “readers digest” version is good 😉 I’d love to read the article if you have time to email. No worries tho b/c I know you are a busy mom :-))
Look at peanut! So little.
🙂
Please send the link…Thanks.
Go on, send it to me! 🙂
I hate over stim.