DISABILITY AND SENSORY ISSUES: “YOU CAN DO THIS”

The dictionary meaning of sensory is “of or relating to sensation or the physical senses; transmitted or perceived by the senses.” We have five senses, which are: touch, sight, smell, taste and hearing. While some on the spectrum of any disability may have problems with hearing or taste, some are just too engulfed with what is going on around them to express it.

Many people with disabilities, such as Autism, are particularly overwhelmed by sensory issues. This is hard to explain, so bear with me! I’ll give you an example. Clothing is so hard to find for Patrick because, for one thing, if it doesn’t feel right to him, then it won’t get worn. I have bought a lot of shirts for Patrick that he will not wear. This is what is meant by the sensory issue of touch. For him, the shirt needs to be made of cotton and it needs to be soft in order for him to feel comfortable. Other than that, I really have no clue if he will wear what I buy for him or not. He is by far the most difficult person to buy clothes for!

A lot of people with special needs are also very sensitive to what is going on in their environment. If there is some kind of friction between people, they sense it. I have noticed over and over again, this population of people enjoy peace and respond to tranquility in their environment. Sometimes being in a crowd of people is just too much of a burden, causing a sensory overload, and this is called the sensory issue of hearing. There is just too much noise, whether it is audible or not. What I mean by that is a person can hide their feelings, yet someone on the spectrum will easily pick up on what they are feeling.

Patrick on the beach

For there to be the diagnosis of a Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD), formerly known as Sensory Integration Dysfunction, there needs to be an evaluation done by an Occupational Therapist. There are countless articles and websites on SPD, so please do some research if you think that your child needs an evaluation. Some symptoms my son was exhibiting were: being easily distracted, biting himself (when he was younger), not being able to make friends, and the list goes on. The main thing I have discovered is that Patrick enjoys being “squeezed”, which means applying deep pressure to his legs or wherever he moves my hands to “squeeze.”

There is so much more to write on this topic. Yet I will stop with the words, “I love you” and “You can do this!” Life is what you make of it.

Expect a miracle.