A Simple Explanation of SPD

One of my sons has Sensory Processing Disorder.  Not a lot is known about this, although more and more information is becoming available.  Let me explain in his words what being in his head for a day feels like (I'm paraphrasing some but it's the general explanation he gives).

It's like having a thousand TVs on at one time.  All of the TVs are at top volume and they're all on different channels.  There's also a radio playing with a lot of bass and someone is poking you with a dental hook while you're smelling a mix of skunk, clean laundry, and one of those car air fresheners all at one time.  On top of that, someone is bouncing your chair up and down. 

THAT is what it's like for a Sensory Processing child just to go through a day.  They often seem like they're off in their own little world.  They tend to be introverted.  Who wouldn't be with all of that going on in his head at once?

Now here's an explanation of what a meltdown feels like to them:

I start to feel like I can't breathe and my chest is so tight.  I'm hot and then I'm cold and then I'm hot and then I'm cold.  I feel like I can hear my heart beat in my chest and the thousand TVs that are on get even louder and they all seem to have blurry things on the screen so I can't make it out.  The person poking me with the dental hook is also tickling and then pouring water on me so I'm feeling so much at once.  I try to calm down but it just feels like I can't.  I can't calm down.  I can't stop.  I have to keep screaming or crying or saying things because it's the only thing that quiets the noise.

Kids with SPD are known for rocking, spinning, or shaking a limb all of the time.  Here's his explanation:

When I bounce my leg, it helps me to feel calmer and it keeps my brain busy so I can think some more.  My teacher put something under my chair so I can bounce my feet without disturbing people in class.  It's not that I mean to disturb people but it's easier for me to think if I can just keep busy sometimes.

And finally....what is his explanation for how people treat him?

My family doesn't treat me different.  I'm still just Daniel.  Some kids say I'm different because I use my imagination a lot or because I don't like to do the same things they do.  Football hurts me more than it hurts a lot of other people.  I don't get sad as easy but I feel the pain easier than other people do.  Something that only stings a little to someone else hurts bad to me.  I don't worry about what people think too much because my family loves me.

This was taken from a project that Daniel did to explain things a little better to others about his challenges.  Kids are still jerks and some adults are too but education is power and I hope that someday, people can understand the full extent of these challenges and how to encourage people to overcome them.