It's too loud!

October is National Sensory Awareness month.  Almost 1 in 20 individuals are affected by Sensory Processing Disorder(SPD).  Those with autism or aspergers are at increased risk of having SPD.

Noise is a common issue for many people on the spectrum.  Many everyday sounds that most of us take for granted, cause children with ASD to retreat, hold their ears, scream, or tantrum.  The sound of a bee buzzing makes my daughter hold her ears.  She is verbal and has told me many times that bumble bees are too loud.  She dislikes the sound of the hair dryer.  Bath time routines have always been difficult.   I would have to chase her and practically hold her down when she was younger to dry her hair.  Over the past 10 years she has become somewhat desensitized, however she still holds her ears.  She can pick up conversations from another room.   She has a difficult time concentrating if there are too many noises going on at once.  Rain on the car roof is often too noisy for her.

 

There are many factors to consider when dealing with an individual who has SPD.  We can't control the environment so it makes everyday situations like going to the store or school extremely challenging.  Do we force the individual into an environment that we know is going to create stress and anxiety because of noise?  Do we hope that eventually the exposure will desensitize them?  Do we avoid those situations at all costs to make it easier for them?  For me personally, I have not had the choice of avoiding very many situations that cause stress and anxiety because of SPD for Emily.  She is forced to attend recitals, ball games, and shopping since I have no one to leave her with.  There are times where it is easier than others.  I will say that as she has matured the severity of the consequences of her SPD have lessened.  I am not sure if it is the exposure, or her ability to control her own reactions better, that has made this possible.  I can definitely tell a difference. 

 

I came across a video the other day that gives some insight as to what auditory stimuli is like for someone on the spectrum.  I found it extremely helpful for me in understanding just how SPD affects Emily.  Please listen to this video and put yourself in the shoes of a child on the spectrum who has a hard time regulating their emotions as well as processing noise...What Autism Feels Like 

 

Thanks for reading~

Jessica

National Sensory Awareness Month

October is National Sensory Awareness Month.  SPD(sensory processing disorder) affects almost one in twenty people.  Individuals with autism or aspergers are at a higher risk of being affected by SPD. 

I first learned about Sensory Processing Disorder 12 years ago after my first child was born 3 months prematurely. At 18 months of age she was diagnosed with SPD.  She refused to touch certain objects and refused to eat certain foods based on the texture.  I was directed to a book called the The Out-of-Sync-Child by Carol Kranowitz.  The SPD spectrum is extremely broad, and as I read it, I only concentrated on the areas that my daughter had trouble with.  She received occupational therapy, as do most children who have a diagnosis of SPD.  We were very fortunate that she outgrew all of her sensory issues by the time she was 5.  When Emily was born, she was completely different from Anna Grace and I assumed it was because she was a full term baby.  She put everything in her mouth, smelled anything and was sensitive to sound and sights.  It never occurred to me that she too suffered from SPD and was just on the opposite end of the sensory spectrum from her sister.  It was not until she was diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder at the age of 3 that we discovered she had SPD.

Emily with her Scentsy Buddy

For Emily, SPD has been chronic and debilitating at times.  Over a year ago I decided to help those who have sensory issues like Emily, by selling Scentsy and using my profits to give Scentsy Buddies to kids with autism for free.   You can read about it in this blog post, http://somewhereoverthespectrum-jessica.blogspot.com/2011/08/if-i-only-had-heartpart-2.html.

As a way of bringing awareness to SPD, I am giving away ANY item(up to $35) to one person from the Scentsy Fall/Winter catalog which can be viewed online at my Scentsy website. I will announce the winner on October 10th and you will have 48 hours to give me your order.  You can use this opportunity to get something for your own senses or someone you know.  Right now there is a special offer of Buy one Buddy get one free. These make excellent gifts for any child on your list.

Good Luck and Thanks for reading~
Jessica
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