Learning to Thrive – A Hidden Disorder
Meet Twins River and Heath, age 4. They are: happy, healthy, and according to mom Courtney, thriving. You’d never know the twins were born severely underweight and premature, or that they spent over a month in a pediatric intensive care unit, unable to suck or swallow and dependent on a feeding tube. Once the twins were finally home, Courtney and husband Tristan, relished in their twin’s development. Lingering health issues due to their premature birth were still a concern; but to the untrained eye, the boys seemed to be developing on target.
Unable to work because of a disability, Courtney spent most of her time at home caring for the boys and her elderly grandmother. Since she strongly believes in the importance of children developing social skills at a young age, Courtney searched for ways to provide her boys’ access to other children and adults. Therefore, she began attending the Starfish playgroups held at the Early Learning Resource Center (ELRC). Ms. Sue, a teacher at the ELRC, immediately developed a strong rapport with Courtney and when she noticed River and Heath showed signs of developmental delays, she didn’t hesitate to mention her concerns. No mother wants to hear that their children might be experiencing delays but Courtney was very grateful to Ms. Sue and the Starfish experts who encouraged her to seek testing.
The initial assessment was simple. Courtney answered a few questions: Are your children walking up and down stairs? Can they kick, bounce, and push a ball? Are they putting two words together? “Simple questions that no one would think would make a difference, that you don’t think to look for,” says Courtney. Courtney made sure to take advantage of every program her boys were eligible for. Courtney continues, “Because of Starfish’s intervention, Heath and River continue to thrive today.” They were signed up for Early Head Start and given a home visitor who visited weekly conducting games and activities that addressed their development issues including the often-misdiagnosed sensory processing disorder.
Once they aged out of Early Head Start, Starfish facilitated placing the boys in Stottlemyer Early Childhood and Family Development Center where the boys receive specialized help to address their speech development needs. “Had it not been for Starfish helping me take those first steps to get the twins the help they need; I don’t know where the boys would be. I’m so grateful to Starfish, I owe them everything,” Courtney concluded.
What Is Sensory Processing Disorder?
A person with SPD finds it difficult to process and act upon information received through the senses, which creates challenges in performing countless everyday tasks.
It can affect only one sense, for example, just touch or sight or multiple senses.
What are Signs of SPD?
- Clothing, physical contact, light, sound, food, or other sensory input may be unbearable.
- Little or no reaction to stimulation, even pain or extreme hot and cold.
- Exhibiting an appetite for sensation that is in perpetual overdrive. These kids often are misdiagnosed and inappropriately medicated for ADHD.
What Can Happen If It Is Not Properly Diagnosed and Treated?
Children with SPD are high risk for many problems, including the inability to make friends or be a part of a group. They often suffer from poor self-concept, and academic failure. Authority figures may label them clumsy, uncooperative, belligerent, disruptive, or out of control.” Anxiety, depression, aggression, or other behavior problems can follow. People who are unaware of the child’s “hidden disability” may blame parents for their children’s behavior. The effects can last into adulthood and affect a person’s ability to have a successful marriage, career and social life. Visit the SPD Foundation for more information, https://www.spdfoundation.net.
Bedtime Chaos Transformed by I Love You Rituals
Relying on mother’s intuition Sarah sought help for her middle child, Max. Her doctor told her repeatedly that he was just going through the terrible-twos and everything would be fine but she knew his extreme tantrums, and sensitivity to his environment was not normal behavior.
Sarah calls I Love You Rituals, which she learned from, Starfish therapist, Shonalee Hughes lifesaving.
“I’m just amazed at some of the things I’ve been taught she even showed me where each child should sit (during dinner) and why they should sit there. Dinner has gone from chaos to calm,” said Sarah.
Good Night Foot, the boys favorite, I love You Ritual is perfect for bedtime and especially calming to Max. Sarah massages her son’s foot while singing, ‘good night foot’ then she moves on to the leg, and so forth. Once the whole body has been massaged she squeezes Max tight and say’s, “ goodnight Max.” “He will go from screaming to stopping once I start massaging his foot.”
Most tantrums have been eliminated. The hitting has almost completely stopped. “It is a huge relief. I was really worried for a while for what the future would hold for Max. He is a lot happier now that he is learning to control himself it makes him happier and the whole house happier. The Starfish programs are amazing.”
