Really?? We walk in a restaurant (any place really that has a lot of random unorganized noise) and it's too loud for him. It's really not all that loud but too loud for him nonetheless. He looks funny, still cute tho (Thank you Lord for such a cute face!). But hey I'm not complaining, especially when it keeps him still and focused on what's in front of him. I mean really...funky head accessory or a spazzed out Enzo??

Yes, I choose the funky fashion too. =)

Our Sensational Blog's new home

Here we are! We've finally transferred all our SPD blogs over. All these blog posts were our own family posts before we found out our children has SPD and also before we realized that sensational stories deserve it's own blog. =)

We hope that our stories helps other families find humor in the midst of frustrations and struggles. There is light at the end of the tunnel and our kids, like many children with SPD, are like butterflies waiting to emerge!

We truly believe they can and will emerge when we begin to understand what SPD means for our family and find ways to help and relate to our child's sensory world. We're not therapists, so please don't take our  own experiences as that. But having the opportunity to have worked with awesome therapists that really know SPD, has given us a wealth of information to help our child, along with lots and lots of reading (more internet than books tho). Knowledge is key to helping your child and family!

While each child and family is different, what works for our family may not work for yours. Even some of the things that our therapists have 'highly' suggested for us haven't always worked for our family. SPD is part of our life, so the activities surrounding us has to work with our life. But no therapist knows your child and family the way you do, don't give up and things don't have to be done by the book. Find what your child enjoys based on what he needs. Find what works with your family or if you like something, find a way to change it up to make it work for you. We get creative like that too!

We have yet to purchase a true SPD item. Sensory stuff can get expensive, esp the weighted items. So the budget part doesn't work for us, BUT we've found alternatives to some of the weighted items and sensory things that we've purchased and even made!

So what does this blog mean for you? We hope you enjoy our stories but we want to hear yours too! If you'd like to share your day with us, email us! We'd love to have other families share their stories. We want to hear from other families too and get ideas or even just to feel 'normal'. Most likely, that's how you found this blog right? If not that's ok too!

It's one thing to hear from and talk to our therapists but it's another to live with SPD. For now, there isn't a local group in our city that serves as a resource or support for families with SPD (not autistic). We hope to change that soon, but that still requires more planning and thought. So for now, here we are! We're looking forward to sharing our crazy life with you and hope to hear from other families too!

Happy blogging!

Mummy or Butterfly?

Enzo craves being snuggled, squished and rolled...some days more than others. So when he asked to be rolled up in this crazy soft blanket, it was a welcomed request on this particular morning. Yes, our day had barely started and we were more than ready to be squished. He has his pj's on to prove it! Oh what a day! =) Btw, his choice of pj's is another post for another day.

So he was telling us a story as I rolled him up. He said he was like a caterpillar in a cocoon - spinning and spinning. Then one day struggle to come out as a butterfly. Although half way through his story he remembered a story we listened to for history (Story of the World by Susan Wise Bauer). King Tut was carefully wrapped with cloth and 'smell good stuff' - his mummy. But in the end he decided he was a butterfly because King Tut didn't come out of his mummy cloth.

He can tell me his story any way he  pleases as long as he comes out ready to start his day! ;)

An Appeal

Dear Confused Florida Weather,

The chill in the air you are so graciously providing is turning my Enzo into a sensory mess. Please make up your mind - cold or warm?

Better yet, how about leaving us with consistently beautiful, yet breezy, spring weather...one that will leave Enzo focusing his sensory energies elsewhere. =)

Love,
Me

PS. Please reconsider your cold wet days too. The sound of your raindrops, along with the chill in the air, keeps the yoga ball occupied...A LOT! I'm sure Mr. Yoga Ball would appreciate a break, as would my arms and back. Feel free to use the picture below as inspiration for your decision. Thanks.

Meet Enzo

[via SPD Foundation]

I found these today on the Sensory Processing Disorder Foundation website. They have these to print out as cards for over-whelmed SPD parents. Where was this 3 years ago? haha would have been so much easier than trying to explain something I couldn't understand either.

HOWEVER, now that its been almost 3 years since Enzo's diagnosis, this (in my opinion) comes across apologizing for my child's disability. Not sure how I feel about that because I don't think anyone should have to apologize for their child's disability. But then again when you're an over-whelmed mom that's kind of what you (or we) do right? I guess this would be pretty useful for the over-whelmed parent who can't figure where to even begin explaining. I should know, we were there and still are a lot of the time.

But hey at least my kid has an excuse for being a nut and all over the place...what's your child's excuse?? haha I am SOOOOOOOOO just kidding!! =)

You know God definitely has a sense of humor. What are the chances that God would give one family 2 kids that have SPD and the kids aren't even biologically related?! Not only do we have 2 kids with SPD but they are two different types of SPD kids - we have a sensory avoider/defensiveness and then we have Enzo, the sensory seeker/crasher (if you've been around Enzo, then you know exactly what that is). We make a hilarious household if you have that kind of sense of humor (which btw, I don't) And we thought Lizzie would be our high maintenance child because of her medical needs...hahaha God is showing off his sense of humor I tell ya!

For more info about Sensory Processing Disorder, please visit:

• SPD Foundation


• Sensory Processing Disorder


• The Out-of-Sync Child


• Sensational Kids

Pomp and Circumstance

Good morning sunshine! or is it? We shall see! Today is the last part of Enzo's reevaluations for Occupational Therapy. He's grown in every way and has worked hard to accomplish his goals. He's been discharged from Speech and Physical Therapy  for a little while now, so this is the last leg for him. After today, he could be therapy-free!

He's been all 'therapied' out for a long time now (not sure who's more 'therapied' out, me or him). He loves his therapists though, esp his OT (so do I, so I'm not sure if I'm ready to discharge her). But since a month after coming home, that's all he's known...week in and week out. So this is long over due.

Although last week when we were talking about his reevaluation and graduating from OT, he was really bummed and said he wasn't going to work hard next time. I'm hoping he forgets today =)

So...will we be marching to 'Pomp and Circumstance'?

...to be continued...

For the PE Bully

Dear Bully's Mom,
If your child is pushing again next week, I will not keep Enzo's sensory issues in check so when your child goes to push him, he will most likely respond with "fight or flight" mode then maybe your 4 year old will remember not to push Enzo again.

Sincerely,
Enzo's mom

PS...it doesn't really matter to me that your child is only 4 especially since your 4 year old is about the same size all the other kids he's knocking over (on purpose).