Learning About Disabilities

Our son Andrew (6 almost 7) has a small disability. When he was a toddler and preschooler I was sure it was big and he really needed help. But as he has grown and learned how to cope, the disability has slowly decreased. He has never fit a diagnosis. I have searched and searched to diagnose him, but to no avail, he doesn't fit. He has a little of this and a little of that. So far I think he has Sensory Processing Disorder (Hyposensitive). The diagnosis is mainly just for me because I feel for some reason that I need to know. Today I went to a class about Aspergers and ADHD. It was informative. Most of it didn't fit into Andrew's life. He does well in school and most of the class was about how to help the teachers teaching them and how as parents to give the right information to teachers to help the child learn. Some of the ideas I can use at home when he is doing his homework. For a while I thought. Why am I here. My kids are being babysat while I listen to what I already know. Then at the end of the class, I realized why God put me into that class. I was talking to a preschool teacher who was just taking the class for a certification, but her grandchild showed small sighs of issues. So as I was describing Andrew she was amazed and gleaned from me everything I was saying! And what she thought was the best????? I had explained that Andrew never slept very long. As an infant, to toddler, to preschooler, to schoolager. This past year we accidentally put a very heavy blanket on his bed and for the first time he slept through the night! We didn't realize it till 3 days later that it was a trend. Why didn't we think of it sooner? He needed pressure and security to sleep! :) We were happy. Then as school started he would do great in school and then breakdown when he got into the van for the ride home. Sometimes in the parking lot. From this, I learned to have a heavy lap blanket in the car and a chewy snack and drink for the 2 minute drive home! It works wonders!

We still have many more quirks to work out, but I am happy God led me to this class to help someone else out like me! I also learned of a resource I can use in the area I live and I great woman who has 2 children with disabilities that I can call on if I ever need advice or new ideas! YES!!

Here are some websites I use that have helped me with Andrew:

Sensory Precessing Disorder
SPD Parent Share

The Out Of Sync Child

well, I can't seem to find my list, so if you have any other great sites, let me know! :)