Hearty

It's 2011! This is just a quick announcement to let y'all know that we'll be at Oma Community Church here in Arkansas on February the 6th at 11 AM. I can't change our website's schedule right now because we've got the computer I normally use for that down at our cabin-studio hard at work on our new CD!

As many of you know, I am starting Integrated Listening Systems (iLs) program with Matthew. When I posted about it over the holiday break on my Facebook page, it stirred up a great deal of questions, curiosity and of course, confusion. Although I was inspired by Dr. Minson’s presentation at the SPD Symposium, and had the pleasure of speaking with iLS CEO Randall Redfield as well, I am by no means an expert on this system. Like mostt parents with children on the Spectrum, I know exactly what Matthew struggles with, but when it comes to being able to break down all of the “therapy” options out there, some of the details get lost in translation. I do know what Matthew needs help with. He needs help managing self-regulation, controlling his movement through space (stop crashing, tripping, falling, clumsiness, core strengthening, all will help him stay seated at circle time), writing (spatial awareness on the page), and voice intonation (helping him use correct inflection when speaking – ...

Dear Readers, Last April, I came up with the idea of having a blogroll dedicated to those blogging about Sensory Processing Disorder.  I put the word out. And at first it was just Chynna , Caitlin and myself. Within days that grew. And grew.  And GREW. By December 2010 it had nearly 60 members.  Parents of kids with sensory issues, all dedicated to writing about their experiences in an effort to reach out and support other families just like theirs. They were committed to spreading awareness of Sensory Processing Disorder as far as their words could reach. I believe that stories are powerful. One of the most ancient, time trusted, ways to share information, tell about resources and to relay our history. Because of this, I thought, what could be more powerful than all of these stories in once place? And the SPDBN was born. This is your personal invitation - from me to you - to please join me at home of the new SPD Blogger Network, http://www.spdbloggernetwork....

Guest post by contributor Patty Porch of Pancakes Gone Awry . ********** There have been times as a parent when I have wished for a T-shirt that says something like the following: "No advice wanted." OR "Advise me at your own peril." OR "Warning: Any more advice may make my head explode! Most parents receive lots of advice from other people. Parents of kids with special needs, however, often feel completely flooded with all the suggestions professionals, doctors, teachers, family members, and friends provide on an almost constant basis. I know I have, and at times it gets more than a little annoying, especially when the advice is unsolicited or from someone who doesn't understand SPD. Worse still is when the advice comes from a perfect stranger. Despite my sometimes defensive attitude towards advice, I have received some over the years that has proven quite valuable. Hands down, the best piece of SPD parenting advice I have ever received came from my mother...

I went to Costco the other day. This in and of itself is not at all that notable, except perhaps that I went without the kids on a weekend, which is definitely out of the ordinary. Costco was crowded, which it always is on a Saturday, and I was rushing through as quickly as possible because I had to go through twice (yes, I require two baskets to buy everything). On my trip through the meat department, I noticed a man with his daughter. She was maybe 7 or 8 years old, with brown hair down to her shoulders and darling round face. She was also in a wheelchair. I immediately felt akin to this man. A man who knows what it feels like to be a special needs parent. Knows the challenges, the doctors’ appointments, perhaps the therapy appointments and of course the emotional journey we have all been on – I knew this man understood. I wanted to say ‘hi’ to him. To give him a knowing glance. To somehow say, “I see you. And you’re doing a good job.” But it struck me hard that he may not understand...

After a staggering 600 votes, we officially have winners! Best announcer voice (eh, hem...)... Read more »

"You haven't lived until you've dissected a doughnut." Several weeks ago, I posted that as my Facebook status, and got a few puzzled comments.  Most of my friends could not understand what I was talking about. But you, my fellow parents of children with sensory issues, you understand.  Don't you? My son is an incredibly picky eater.  In order for him to eat a plain doughnut, we have to remove the "brown" off the outside of it, so just the inside white part is exposed.  This stems from the fact that over a year ago, he gagged on a plain doughnut, and the sensory memory of that has stayed with him ever since.  So for him to be able to eat it, he has to have the outside surgically removed.  Never mind the fact that he's able to eat a plain munchkin no problem.  The memory is from the doughnut, and can't be changed, reasoned with, or explained. So, you ask, why even bother giving him the doughnut in the first place?  Give him a different kind.  Or no...

Subtitle : “ It Isn’t Your Husband’s Fault ” I hear so many women complain about their husbands and I am totally guilty of this too. But, I am not in your average-run-of-the-mill marriage. My husband and I are raising children with special needs, developmental delays, complex neurological conditions, mental illness and learning disabilities. And that puts a different kind of pressure on our marriage. This is the kind of pressure people experience that are dealing with chronic illness, unemployment or long term financial issues – only worse. This kind of pressure is centered on helping our children and that means the stress is ever-present for both of us. Which sets the stage for problems. Often families go into full-speed-ahead mode right after diagnosis. Especially moms. We become consumed with learning everything we can about our child’s challenges: Spending hours researching, going to forums, blogs, support groups, calling doctors, and hundreds (if not thousands) of dollars going to...

VOTE NOW The nominations are in, after reading through all of the incredible comments and visiting each of the blogs, we are ready to start voting.  And, let me say, I don't envy you at all - this is an incredible line up of blogs!  So, without further adeiu, the nominees are : Awesome: Pancakes Gone Awry Our Life With SPD Mommy Melee Welcome to Normal I Cry, Therefore I am Stepping on Cheerios Kid Companions Inspirational: Try Defying Gravity The Gift Brotherly Love Comfort in the Midst of Chaos Humorous: I’m Just That Way Stark.Raving.Mad.Mommy Nobody But Yourself Our Little Tongginator She’s Always Write Resource: Our Journey Thru Autism A Bipolar Daughter Help! SOS for Parents Eide Neuroloearning Blog The Motor Story Creative Learning Fun Newbie: The Next Steps Hello.World. Homeschooling Nate Raising Ryan Raccoon School The Simile of Autism and Snowflakes The Trials of Living with SPD (If your blog is on this list and you have not received an email from me, please ema...

When most parents think of teaching their child good social skills they think of making sure their child learns to say “Please” and “Thank you.” Others may even add in that a child should offer a snack to their friends during play dates or teach them why it is appropriate to give everyone in class a birthday invitation and not to exclude anyone. All of which are great social skills to have. For every child. But, for parents of children with an invisible disability – whether that is Autism, Non-Verbal Learning Disorder, Sensory Processing Disorder, or even Bipolar Disorder – we think of completely different challenges when we are faced with teaching our children social skills. We think of reciprocal language, sharing control during play, being flexible, and not monopolizing the conversation (that is assuming they even know how to start a conversation in the first place). Knowing our children have these complex challenges with social skills makes teaching social skills just a part of a m...

Being a parent is hard.  Being a special needs parent is really hard.  I find that too many of us think that being a better parent has to do with providing more therapy for our kids, a better school, better doctors or some other tangible thing.  I don't think that is how our kids would define 'good parenting', do you? Here's my advice on ways you can be a better parent today.  And by 'better' I mean your kids will like you more. : ) ************************** 1. Take care of yourself . This is about as basic as it gets – if you are not taking care of your own needs, then you are over-tired, stressed and well, making those around you miserable. Imagine how much easier everything would be if you were well-rested, relaxed and parenting intentionally instead of reactively? Start by taking a shower . Build from there. 2. Listen more . Our kids have lots to say, and we all end up cutting them off because we are much more concerned about our own agenda and what need...

That's right - music has the Grammy's and movies have the Oscars - and us SPD writers now have... The SPD Blogger Awards!! I am giving out awards for blogs and bloggers who's selfless chronicling of their day to day chaos raising a child with Sensory Processing Disorder inspires, educates and just flat out makes us laugh - and you could win! Here's how it will go down: January 10 - 16, Nominations January 17 - 23, Voting January 25, WINNERS ANNOUNCED! Are you hooked to a great blog about SPD?  Have you found a blog that gives good advice, makes you laugh, inspires you to keep going?  Nominate them ! Nomination Categories : Awesome Parent Blog : This all around AWESOME blog must be written by the parent/caregiver of a child with SPD. Inspirational Parent Blog :  This INSPIRATIONAL blog must be written by the parent/caregiver of a child with SPD. Humorous Parent Blog :  This HYSTERICAL blog must be written by the parent/caregiver of a child with SPD...

Over the years, my family has missed out on many typical childhood activities. We have never gone to an amusement park, we often decline birthday party invitations, and we rarely travel. We also often skip church parties , forgo YMCA breakfasts with Santa, and choose not to enroll our kids in many activities. Sometimes I wonder if we should get out more. I wonder if maybe I am sheltering my kids too much or if I am not making enough effort to get out. The reason we skip most activities is because of the sensory craziness that comes with them, and I am never sure how Danny and Charlotte will handle it. Sometimes, too, it just doesn’t seem worth all the trouble to prepare the kids and ourselves for the possible ordeal. And, if I am being perfectly honest, sometimes I can be a bit anti-social. While I enjoy being around other people, I don't particularly care for large groups; the sensory stimulation isn't just hard on my kids, but on me as well . We aren’t hermits; we do take th...

I was recently asked on my Facebook page if I had any tips for babysitters. I think that it is common for special needs parents, especially those with young kiddos, to have never had a babysitter. Now, I don’t mean that these parents have never left their kids, but rather that they leave their kids with family members, or their spouse. So, what do you do when you leave your child with a REAL babysitter for the first time? Here are my tips, really with the goal and aim that your child and your family establish a positive long-lasting relationship with a babysitter, that allows you the flexibility of being out of the house, and your child the ability to have another adult in their life that understands them. This is my advice and by no means is a substitute for your own judgement. Please remember that. : ) Having a Special Needs Babysitter Who do I hire? You are going to hate this one, so I apologize ahead of time. BUT, so you know, my rule is that my babysitters must be over 18, enrol...

All parents dread this time of year, when children far and wide transform into SPDs: Seasonal Plague Dispersal units. In the shiny imaginary world of stereotypes perpetuated by childless mad men , little Johnny sniffles politely into a tissue while his pearled and pumped mommy hovers nearby with homemade chicken soup. Somehow, I don't think that's how it goes down in even the most picture perfect neuro typical families.  It certainly isn't how it goes down when the plague infested child in question has Sensory Processing Disorder. I've heard a lot of moms say it's kind of nice when their kids are under the weather.  When the average NT kiddo doesn't feel well, they tend to be... subdued. Snuggly. Quiet. Jaimee over at Our Life With SPD summed it up perfectly with this post , in which she posed the question "Is that what it's like in a normal house?" I know that's not what it's like at ours. When Bear gets sick, that first day or so is like...

Happy New Year!   It's that time again - the announcement of the 2011 First Things First contributors!  The FTF series is dedicated to reminding parents that they need to take care of themselves. A renewal of our commitment to take the time required to nurture not just our children, but ourselves. We have dedicated all of our energy to making sure our children are taken care of, but now is the time to remember to focus on our own physical, mental and emotional health, our spirituality, as well as our relationships with friends and our spouse. This year, I want to encourage all of you to take care yourself. And I hope each month our guest writer will inspire you to do just that. On the first of each month, the writing series will feature a different guest blogger/writer/author.  If you haven't read the 2010 articles, I highly suggest you check them out (there is a listing under the FTF tab at the top)!  Without further adieu.... The First Things First 2011 Contributo...