What it Means To Be a Parent of a Child with SPD

Being a parent of a child with SPD is not an easy task. On a day to day basis you are muddling through mirky waters and difficult situations. It is a confusing role, as many don’t even understand what SPD stands for, let alone understand how it affects you and your child. For that very reason, we have a support group for parents to lean on each other and vent. Sometimes, parents share some of the most beautiful words, like the words shared here today. Have you ever wondered what it means to be a parent of a child with SPD? One mom tells all. {and she has a small secret to share as well.}

What It Means to be a Parent of a Child with SPD

Photo Credit: Dollar Photo Clubhitmanphoto

What Does it Mean to be a Parent of a Child with SPD?

“Being a parent of a child with spd or other dx’s means crying because you know your child is going to be hungry at school.

It’s impossible to keep the few foods they like PERFECTLY packed in a lunch box. (and the food has to be perfect.) Each morsel is a work of art.

It’s crying because my 11 yr old needs help at school and it looks like it’s going to take forever to get it.

Apparently, wanting the school counselor to evaluate her isn’t done through a 504 meeting….but in the meantime I hear “we’ll schedule a 504 meeting next month to address your concerns.” And they want to wait until we get results from our next referral to a neuropsychologist. At least that is what is sounds like…..they seemed so helpful at the 504 meeting – glad we taped it!

It’s crying because your child is suffering and you are doing everything you can.

I thank God for her. I know she is going to be ok, she has a naturally happy, easy going attitude. Also, it is her decision to stay in school……I did find a list she made weighing the pros and cons.

Being a parent of a child with SPD also means crying because your child needs more physical activity than the school is offering.

My 11 yr old is a very active and sport loving girl! She is also trying out for all the activities at school. When they do get active they are often punished and recess is taken away as a “punishment”.

And lastly, being a parent of a child with SPD means choosing your words and the way you frame certain things carefully.

Words matter. I know it’s not meant this way but I cringe when someone says they hate spd.

You see, I have SPD.

To me, it is my quirks. And they are part of what makes me ME. I wouldn’t want to be normal. I love nature and am NOT jealous or envious of people doing things I don’t like. I DO wish that certain things weren’t so difficult for me, like dealing with clothing.

When I’m at home, I am not presentable enough to answer the door usually, and I’m okay with that!  I’m happy I have a husband who loves my body as is and a support system to love me too.

So… Is SPD difficult to deal with – oh yes it is! But in the end, SPD is really just a label to help those with similar quirks. Being a parent of a child with SPD means loving their children with all their heart. I know I do.”

This post is written anonymously by a parent of 3 children diagnosed with SPD, who also is living with SPD as an adult. After her  3 girls were diagnosed in her 30’s, she realized she had grown up with the same symptoms and struggles. She says she absolutely craves being in nature and has a passion to explore. She wants others to know that having SPD can be a struggle, but it can also be a blessing in disguise. 

 

Looking for more information on SPD (Sensory Processing Disorder)?

What Does Sensory Processing Look Like? 

Is it Sensory or Behavior?

Sensory Processing Awareness Challenge

 

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parenting a Child with SPD

Are you a parent of a child with SPD? What does it mean to you? We would love to hear! I’d love to hear about it and I am sure other readers would to! Connect with me on FacebookTwitterGoogle+PinterestInstagram or subscribe by emailI can’t wait to hear your ideas.

12 thoughts on “What it Means To Be a Parent of a Child with SPD”

  1. Aimee

    I work in the schools. It’s easy to bash school personnel. They are honestly doing the best they can. It takes time to get an evaluation done. They are many kids needing help and services and not enough hours in the day. I bring work home at night and on weekends. My caseload is heavy. And parents like you want understanding for your child but are quick to bash and judge others.

  2. Diane Mayer

    My 5 year old granddaughter was just diagnosed with SPD. My daughter, an educator, is devastated. How can I be of help to she and her daughter. I’ve offered to cook and freeze meals for my granddaughter, but my daughter said she will think on that. Is there a cook book out there to help me?

  3. Tara

    Thanks so much for this article today… I’ve been crying for 2 solid weeks (maybe more) with my 2.5 year old. I’ve had to lay on him to take a nap or for bed time for about 20 min. He freaks out if the toast is on his plate wrong and he has been telling me that he is “nervous” all the time and keeps asking me “are you going to take care of me mommy?” With a 5 mos old baby, this has become very challenging to meet all of his needs. We sat down with one of his therapists again today, and she just reconfirmed that I am doing a good job and that my son can’t be officially diagnosed with SPD or Anxiety, yet, But I love the path and direction that I have been given with the ability to help my child even more. Thanks for the affirmation again that we are loving and caring for and crying with our children with our whole hearts.

  4. Annette

    I just found this blog and feel very grateful for all of the comments. Thank you. Hearing from other parents dealing with similar difficulties feels so supportive. I have felt alone for so long. My daughter was diagnosed with SPD when she was 4 years old and she is now 13. Her biggest hurdle is tactile defensiveness but all of her senses are hypersensitive. Wearing clothing is and has always been her toughest challenge. She wears oversized pjs at home all the time and can only wear leggings when she has to go out. She is a picky eater, has difficulty focussing in school, cannot stand being warm or hot, and has trouble sitting in chairs or anything that is not a hard surface. Driving in the car is very difficult for her and even when it is -5 degrees outside, she will beg for the air conditioning to be on. Somehow the cold helps her to cope with her discomfort and she keeps her room very cold as well. Throughout elementary school, she had some struggles with friendships as she was extremely sensitive and jealous. She has good friends now who are supportive and understanding who treasure her sense of humour and accept her idiosyncrasies. We take one day at a time, enjoy the good weeks and do our best getting through the tough ones. There are still lots of tantrums as she learns to cope with her many sensitivities but it is getting better. She knows she has SPD and she is not alone. Her dad, her aunt, and her grandmother all have it as well and are living happy, successful and fulfilling lives. Hope hearing my daughters story helped a little.

    1. Lemon Lime Adventures

      Thank you so much for sharing your story!

  5. Hello Dayna

    I’m 33 years old and a suspected SPD patient too. My son was also diagnosed with SPS. I’ve also recently started a blog to raise awareness in my country about it. I would like to ask permission to repost this article in my blog.

    Thank you and kind regards.

    1. Lemon Lime Adventures

      I would love for you to share, can you please just link to the article and only share a tad of it? Thank you!

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