Sensory Integration Disorder Support Group

Sensory Integration Disorder is a neurological disorder causing difficulties with processing information from the five classic senses, the sense of movement, and/or the positional sense. Sensory integration disorders vary between individuals in their characteristics and intensity.

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Developmental & Learning Disorders
/ Sensory Integration Disorder Support Group

Other Parents

maebeth
maebeth
I've had a real rough time lately with my daughter's friend's parents not understanding SPD or making really dumb comments about it. They often try to tell me there's nothing so wrong with my daughter and will sight isolated incidents that make their child similar to mine. For example, my daughter struggles with regulation issues after a long day at school. I had a parent yesterday tell me her daughter is grumpy sometimes after school too and all she needs is a snack...like a snack would fix my child's problem. Gee thanks! I've been spending thousands of dollars on OT, hours everyday on a home program, not to mention dealing with the school/IEP, and then my daughter's fears/struggles to the point they did ultrasounds on my daughter's stomache at the local hospital because she was having almost constant stomache pain (turned out to be stress from pressures at school, specifically a less than understanding music teacher that I'm still trying to work with)...Yep, I think a snack after school would fix everything; Can't believe I didn't think of it. Of course, I don't say that. I smile politely and say thank you before changing the topic. Trying to educate them is of little help and only gives them more fuel to make even more stupid comments. They aren't being mean or hurtful; they are just incredibly ignorant with their comments which in turn is hurtful to me. It really angers me that my daughter's special ed teacher makes these same stupid comments when she compares her daughter to mine. Anyone else have this issue? How do you get them to think before they talk or better yet not say anything at all?
deleted_user
deleted_user
Oh, my, this is something that has plagued me for such a long time. Even some of my own mama friends say things like that, and I just want to scream and pull my hair out. I've gone the route of smiling and saying nothing, of explaining in greater detail about SPD, of saying "I'm sorry, I'm too exhausted from the hours of effort I put in everyday just to keep my child functional" and once or twice I've even just started to cry. I suppose there are various things that can be said in various situations that might be helpful, but ultimately, I believe that misunderstanding on the part of others is just an integral part of invisible challenges like SPD. My son has PTSD, as well as SPD, and it is all but impossible to explain it all to people -- even those closest to me. It can feel so incredibly isolating, which is why being here, and being anywhere there are others who truly understand, is so important.

((HUGS)) to you. Even if no one else seems to, I see you, and I see how much you've put into helping your daughter, as well as how much you put into helping other people who are struggling.