One of Life's "Curve balls"
My eldest child has recently been diagnosed with a Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD). Whether this SPD is related to an Autism Spectrum Disorder remains unsaid at this point. The school psychologist in me says he has a mild form of Autism, the parent in me is still not wanting to say it "officially". There are so many fears that come with a diagnosis even in it's mildest form. Do I have what it takes to handle the ups and downs? Do I have what it takes to put my own frustrations and impatience aside to help my child on a daily basis? What will his future hold? Will he have friends? Will he be hurt repeatedly because he does want friends and has difficulty understanding sometimes those little social nuances? So many more! In my despair one night, I found this quote that has helped me to "Be still and know that (He) is God."
Eternal life means to become like the Father and to live in families in happiness and joy forever, so of course we know that what he wants for us will require help beyond our powers. And if we have feelings of inadequacy, they can make it easier for us to repent and to be ready to rely on the Lord’s help. The fact that the proclamation is applicable to all the world—applicable to every person and government in it—gives us assurance that we need not be overwhelmed with our feelings of inadequacy. Whoever we are, however difficult our circumstances, we can know that what our Father requires of us if we are to qualify for the blessings of eternal life will not be beyond our ability. What a young boy said long ago when he faced a seemingly impossible assignment is true: “I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them” (1 Ne. 3:7).
"The Family" Henry B Eyring
Ensign, Feb 1988
A recent surge in faith and a feeling of being taken care of, along with finding an OT my son loves has made swallowing the diagnosis and fears more manageable. I am finding that as a parent of a son with a possible Autism Spectrum Disorder life does not mean things will not happen, but will happen when HE is ready and in HIS way. That does not mean that consequences are forgotten, or expectations are not there. They are just taught and administered in a way that will help him to be the best He can be. He is such a sweet and loving spirit and that has become more apparent as we, as parents have put our impatience aside (for the most part, we still have our days, we are not perfect), but as the quote has said. The days we face with our son humble us and we go to the Lord more for help. He knows this sweet spirit and loves him. He knows how we can reach and teach him. We need only ask.
With that said ;) :
My son had a major success yesterday. My son has had difficulty with primary (children's class at church). He does well with sharing time, but singing time yields a melt-down. I talked to "Madeline", his OT (and new "best friend") on Friday to get some ideas. His teacher in primary figured it was the music that was causing the melt-down so we had to come up with a way for him to cope with the noise and not disrupt primary. The OT suggested maybe a sensory story. I don't know exactly what she meant, but I think I got it right. Similar to social stories they do with children with Autism. So Saturday night I sat down with my computer and wrote a "sensory story". Here is the story:
"Today is Sunday. On Sunday, I go to church with my family.
I like church because we learn about Jesus, and His love for us.
At church we all go to our own classes. Mom goes to Relief Society. Dad goes to Priesthood and E goes to Nursery. And I get to go to Primary. In Primary I sit with my teacher, reverently.
Primary is a fun place where we:
Pray
Listen to speakers tell us stories about what Jesus wants us to do.
We sing songs about Jesus.
Sometimes music time is loud and makes me nervous, but I can cover my ears
or say a quiet prayer to make me feel better.
When singing time is finished, I go to my class with my teacher.
When I am reverent it makes my parents and Heavenly Father happy, and make me happy."
(Each page has picture that I found on the internet to go with each major idea.)
Yesterday we read this story three times before church and I sent it to church with him to read with his teacher when he felt nervous.
IT WORKED!
We had no melt downs yesterday. His teacher said he looked at it during primary, but they did not actually read it. He covered his ears when the music initially started until he felt ok. He covered them again when the microphone came on until the initial shock was over. I was so excited that he was able to apply that which we had read and it helped him find a way to cope with the discomfort. I think after he is able to adjust to that initial shock for a few more months, maybe we will try another coping strategy that is a little less obvious to those around him. Not sure what that will be just yet, but I have a few months to figure it out.
If you are interested in sensory stories you can find information at this website:
Or information on social stories at:
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