As he grew a little older one issue seemed to be replaced with another one. He struggled with speech which was a result from chronic ear infections. I worked closely with his pediatrician and the local Birth to Three program to make sure we were doing everything we could for him. It was during an in home Birth to Three speech appointment that I first heard the term "Sensory Processing Disorder" which typically goes hand in hand with ADHD & Autism. My dude had an awful time concentrating and would often "hide" when a new person would come to our home. He would get frustrated and his temper would fly SO easy because he couldn't convey how he was feeling. He would have outbursts of anger and would sometimes be aggressive towards his sister especially. He was tested for ADD and ADHD as well as Autism and was found he didn't meet any of the testing standards to be diagnosed with any of them. That's when the Sensory Processing Disorder term came into play (which I now believe is a blanket term used in the medical community for highly sensitive/intuitive kids who DON'T test within the Autism/ADD/ADHD range). So started our journey with Occupational Therapy to help "reset" his nervous system by means of joint compression therapy and brushing techniques. An audio program was also tried in attempt to reprogram the audio sensory input. ALL of these things failed. Doctors were at a loss. My dude continued to struggle with getting overwhelmed and so he ended up with a General Anxiety diagnosis. Now..in ALL this time I was still not fully aware of my own gifts. In hindsight, had I known more about my own gifts I could have helped SO MUCH SOONER!
From birth to mid way through 4k my son struggled. Things we tried: speech therapy, occupational therapy, he started attending public school at age 3 in a special ed class setting and was placed on an IEP (Individualized Education Program), worked with a child therapist (family therapist), took parenting classes, read as much as I could about Sensory Processing Disorder, and was actively keeping in touch with his pediatrician. It was EXHAUSTING and so very frustrating.
- Picky eater. Now you can argue that this is MOST kids. But my son was a whole different ball of wax! We struggled with textures. He wouldn't eat certain things because of the texture of it. It was an instant gag reflex which turned into a refusal to eat. For awhile he couldn't eat Mac N Cheese or potatoes or pudding. The occupational therapist showed me a technique that helps reset the taste sensors but rubbing my thumb across the roof of his mouth 3-6 times. That seemed to help a bit but not 100%. As he grew older he could tell me why he didn't like certain foods. Often it was that the texture of it made him feel queasy and he didn't know why. The mouth is a MAJOR sensory receptor...the textures would set him off into overload mode.
- For the first 3-4 years of his life he could NOT STAND having his skin show. It could be 80 degrees outside and he HAD to wear long sleeves and long pants. It was because his body literally could not handle ONE MORE sensation. And since your skin is a MAJOR receptor for sensations...he literally was trying to protect it so he could avoid overload!
- He couldn't sleep without noise and a light on. He had this mobile that played music and projected a picture up into an umbrella. The umbrella could be removed so the pictures would project on the ceiling. We went through 2 of those plus 4 other light/sound things. PLUS he had night lights and often a fan. If the power went out and things turned off...it was guaranteed he would be awake and SCREAMING for us. To this day he HAS to have a light on. Part of this is because everything around him is quiet and at rest during the night. It makes it easier to "hear" things that are drown out by every day to day noise..such as spirit. For him, he feels safe if a light is on. He doesn't mind hearing things...he just doesn't want to SEE them too. Which I totally understand. When he was younger he didn't want to see or hear anything. That's why he needed the light AND the sound at night to sleep.
- Reiki--Reiki was a Godsend! I was able to use Reiki to help calm him as well as help shield him from outside energies.
- Stones--Yes..you read that right...STONES. Stones and crystals all have some type of metaphysical healing properties to them. They have been used in healing modalities for centuries! My Go-To stone for my son was Hematite. Hematite has a reflective surface that naturally reflects negative energy. It also has detoxifying properties which helps remove toxins in the liver (negative energy is stored in the liver). I just found it to be grounding and shielding for him. Often times he would carry a stone in his pocket when out and about.
- Teaching him how to ground himself. Learning grounding and shielding techniques is a fantastic tool for anyone who is highly sensitive/intuitive.
- Being aware of triggers. Some days he was more sensitive than others. A lot of that had to do with what the current energy was like. The moon phase and global "mood" always play a part. Example: if there is a lot of worldly conflict going on--he FEELS it and is more likely to become overwhelmed/overloaded more easily.
- I made a SPACE for him to hide. I constantly was turning half of our living room into one giant fort. We also purchased a captains bed so he could have a hiding space for himself underneath it.
- I educated his educators. This was HUGE. I spent a LOT of time in his 4k class. I communicated with his teachers frequently and gave them tips on not only how to deal with my son but also other students who displayed the same characteristics as my son did. Sometimes just explaining that he would stick to an area which he felt most comfortable (his case it was the sign in station where the drawing stuff also was) while he energetically "felt" out the room. Once he was familiar with everyone present he would join in with the rest of the class. The first month of 4k was spent this way. Once he adjusted he was golden...until a sub came in. Then he spent an hour or so hanging in his comfort zone. The result of working WITH his teachers was that he was removed from his IEP by mid year in 4k. He started kindergarten mainstream and is now one of the top students in his class. Crazy right?!?!?!
Are you not sure how to handle your kiddo?
Or perhaps you wonder how you can help him or her?
I can help!
I have worked with several parents and teachers over the years teaching them simple techniques they can use with their kids. Want more information? You can contact me via my website at www.spiritualmediumsarah.com
Until Next Time.....
Much Love
Sarah xo