My son is six. He has Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD). He is my hero.It's been a long road since early Fall 2009. But, I wouldn't change any of it. There have been many doctor appointments, therapies, interventions, and tears. But, there have also been so many triumphs.
As a young mother, raising her third child - which was finally the boy she had always hoped for - I was excited for the change. The girls were great, but I was ready for rearing a little boy and all that went with that - dirt, cars, and no fear, among other things.
However, it wasn't too long before I realized that my son was different. Not only different from his sisters or a typical boy, but developmentally off track. When he was 15 months old and still struggled to make any sounds, I pushed for his first speech evaluation. Then, we entered the world of speech therapy, early intervention and finally occupational therapy, as he appeared off balance and uncoordinated, struggling to step down even three inches, while grasping too tightly to the wall or the nearest adult.
But, this post is not about our struggles. This post is about his progress. The fact that he has nearly completed a year in mainstream kindergarten, played on a soccer team, has friends, rides bikes at recess and is excited about going to school, every day.
That's not to say that there aren't struggles that remain. Certainly, his SPD will never go away. But, he has learned how to cope. He can tolerate a peer sitting too close, eating out at restaurants, or the sirens sounding during the lockdown drill. Is he still anxious about these things? Yes. But, he can handle them.
My boy who couldn't put two sounds together, is now learning to read and can speak in length about various topics. My boy who could barely put one foot in front of the other, can now ride a bicycle...fast. These are some of the big things. There are little things too. Like when he tries a new food for the first time, even if he only takes one bite. Or, when he wears a button-down shirt without anything underneath.Big and small, we have to recognize the progress. If we don't, we will get caught up in the differences. It will make us sad that our child is not normal. We will feel sorry for the fact that our boy is not like everyone else. Although I can get caught up in thecomparison gamethe same as anyone, I have realized one very important thing. When it comes to my children, being normal, typical or ordinary is not really what I want for them. I want them to be extraordinary. So what if my son notices things that other little boys his age don't, like when I buy a different brand of pasta or the number of ceiling tiles in a given room. Because of his SPD, he experiences the world differently than most. I'm beginning to understand that different is okay. I don't have to apologize for it. I just need to embrace it.
I am proud of my son and all that he has accomplished in his five years of life. I often call him my young warrior. Because, he is truly a fighter, every day. And, despite the anxiety or uncertainty he may feel, he shows up, every day. He is my hero.Do you have a story about recognizing progress with a loved one or friend? We would love for you to share your links or comments below!
