OURJourneyTHRUAutism
Patty Porch, Sensational Mama
One thing is evident when you walk through my house: my family is well acquainted with all things Sensory Processing Disorder. There are plastic balls, and hoola hoops and piles of cushions (the better for jumping in) all over my house.
My oldest son, Danny (who is now 7) was diagnosed with SPD five years ago. This past January, he was also diagnosed with high functioning autism. The last five years have been a crazy, but ultimately rewarding, journey. I have struggled with finding a good occupational therapist, figuring out a balanced schedule and sensory diet, and learning to enjoy Danny for who he is, which is a loving, sweet and uber energetic boy, who is obsessed with Legos. According to Danny, it would be super cool if whenever it rained, Legos would drop from the sky rather than raindrops. After all the money we have spent on those pesky little multicolored blocks, I tend to agree with him.
Charlotte, my 5 year old, was diagnosed with SPD in September. Though I had considered myself something of an SPD expert, Charlotte’s diagnosis has shown me how much more there is for me to learn. Her symptoms are the opposite of Danny’s. So, in a way, I feel like we are starting from scratch with helping Charlotte. Char’s middle name is Fey, which means “enchanted, whimsical, and magical” and that fits Charlotte to a T. She loves art projects and drawing and painting, and her favorite toys are Care Bears. She often bestows upon us Care Bear names, like the day when I was crabby and she called me “Yell-A-Lot Bear.”
My 18-month-old son, Tommy is an adorably happy little boy, who drives me crazy with his antics. The kid never stops and is constantly into everything. I had forgotten how much work toddler boys can be. Only time will tell if Tommy will follow in his siblings’ SPD footsteps. With parents like me and Bil, (who have our own sensory issues) our kids probably never stood a chance.
I stay at home with the kids and keep busy volunteering, writing, and cleaning up messes. I contribute to Hartley’s Life with Three Boys and write at my blog Pancakes Gone Awry. In a previous life, I taught English at high school in Chicago. I hold a Bachelor's in English and a Master's in Education. I taught English as a Second Language, writing courses at some community colleges and one university in Chicago, and English at an inner-city high school. While an undergraduate, I worked as a proofreader and editor for my university's Independent Study department, and after college (before grad school) I was an editor at a legal publishing company.
Patty Porch, Sensational Mama
One thing is evident when you walk through my house: my family is well acquainted with all things Sensory Processing Disorder. There are plastic balls, and hoola hoops and piles of cushions (the better for jumping in) all over my house.
My oldest son, Danny (who is now 7) was diagnosed with SPD five years ago. This past January, he was also diagnosed with high functioning autism. The last five years have been a crazy, but ultimately rewarding, journey. I have struggled with finding a good occupational therapist, figuring out a balanced schedule and sensory diet, and learning to enjoy Danny for who he is, which is a loving, sweet and uber energetic boy, who is obsessed with Legos. According to Danny, it would be super cool if whenever it rained, Legos would drop from the sky rather than raindrops. After all the money we have spent on those pesky little multicolored blocks, I tend to agree with him.
Charlotte, my 5 year old, was diagnosed with SPD in September. Though I had considered myself something of an SPD expert, Charlotte’s diagnosis has shown me how much more there is for me to learn. Her symptoms are the opposite of Danny’s. So, in a way, I feel like we are starting from scratch with helping Charlotte. Char’s middle name is Fey, which means “enchanted, whimsical, and magical” and that fits Charlotte to a T. She loves art projects and drawing and painting, and her favorite toys are Care Bears. She often bestows upon us Care Bear names, like the day when I was crabby and she called me “Yell-A-Lot Bear.”
My 18-month-old son, Tommy is an adorably happy little boy, who drives me crazy with his antics. The kid never stops and is constantly into everything. I had forgotten how much work toddler boys can be. Only time will tell if Tommy will follow in his siblings’ SPD footsteps. With parents like me and Bil, (who have our own sensory issues) our kids probably never stood a chance.
I stay at home with the kids and keep busy volunteering, writing, and cleaning up messes. I contribute to Hartley’s Life with Three Boys and write at my blog Pancakes Gone Awry. In a previous life, I taught English at high school in Chicago. I hold a Bachelor's in English and a Master's in Education. I taught English as a Second Language, writing courses at some community colleges and one university in Chicago, and English at an inner-city high school. While an undergraduate, I worked as a proofreader and editor for my university's Independent Study department, and after college (before grad school) I was an editor at a legal publishing company.