Kindergarten: Sensory Processing Disorder

Visiting the local library, I noticed the shelves of books preparing tots for their first day of kindergarten.

But I had to wonder, where are the books preparing the parents for the first day of kindergarten?

This momentous move is presented as a rite of passage for our five and six year olds.

But we parents are often overlooked. Isn’t this a rite of passage for us as well?

And today holds great significance for SPD parents.

When we first found out Vman had Sensory Processing Disorder at the age of three, we were barely able to think past the first five minutes, let alone the next five days.

But somehow, we managed to put one foot in front of the other.

Day after day.

Occupational therapist appointment after appointment.

Journey with Sensory Processing Disorder | Mommy Evolution

My husband and I faced the ongoing issues of SPD (and sometimes just stuck our heads in the sand to get a break).

I brought home the recommendations of the OTs and child psychologist.

I read the online articles. I scoured over book after book — all to bring down the stress level in the house but slowly chip away at the neurological issues Vman was having.

I said to myself, if this has to do with his signals being crisscrossed, then I will do everything in my power to help reset his hard wiring.

Does this mean I set out to “fix” him?

Not by any means.

My hope was to help reset his senses enough as well as give him the tools he needed to succeed.

How he chooses to define success will be up to him.

But my definition of success is him being able to do well in school rather than feeling like he can’t do things at all.

I want him to feel like he has a place rather than feeling displaced and disconnected from the people around him.

As I thought about dropping him off for that first day of school, I realized just how far we’ve come since that fateful day when Sensory Processing Disorder entered our vernacular.

Vman has blossomed from a violently reactive child to a kid who was able to tell me his stomach hurt because he was so nervous about school.

The very thought that he can control his impulses and not act them out would have blown my mind three years ago.

But now, I’m able to take in the joy of knowing he’s wiping away the veil of SPD, which has impeded his ability to always shine as the marvelous and sensitive child that he is.

So if you are a parent wondering when things will get better, I say to you — they will!

Not today.

Not tomorrow.

Maybe not next year.

But the journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.

Take that step every day, and one day you will find yourself much farther along your path than you ever thought possible.

Yes, kindergarten is a rite of passage.

MY rite of passage as the mother of a child with SPD. My son may be enjoying the excitement of feeling like the big man on campus on his first day.

But really, today is about my accomplishments of steadfast love, dedication and hope for my child.

Read more about Sensory Processing Disorder on Mommy Evolution!

10 Comments

    1. muddymonkeysmama says:

      How are things progressing for you? We have actually gotten used to Kindergarten (both me and my son) and although I think some things might pop up that have to be addressed, I’m feeling so much more relaxed than I ever have because he’s figuring out the flow. We’ve seen a monumental jump in him in just a month.

      1. I’m so glad to hear that kindergarten has become a part of your routine now. Love hearing about monumental jumps 🙂

        Things on our end are up and down, which seems to have become our pattern ever since my daughter was born. We’re just in the process of getting a referral to an ASD screening program. I’m feeling overwhelmed, and confused by conflicting signs, and mostly just impatient that we likely won’t know for a long while. That being said, we are getting some important intensive therapy and seeing huge gains. That is the positive that we are focusing on. My daughter is only 16 months, but reading about how the steps we’re taking now will one day make a difference is very reassuring and comforting.

    1. muddymonkeysmama says:

      Thank you for your feedback! I wish someone could have told me it was going to get better years ago. It’s hard to see the light when you’re in it. And I honestly thought we would never reach this point. There are still things we need to work on, but it’s getting manageable.

  1. Beautiful post:) and so true. When my son was 3 and got his Autism diagnosis I was not sure if he would be able to attend and be integrated into a regular kindergarten classroom. He worked very hard and on that first day last September and I looked at his anxious face I felt like someone needed to pinch me. I was so happy…tears of joy because I knew where we had come from.

    I love this part ~ ” So if you are a parent wondering when things will get better, I say to you — they will! Not today. Not tomorrow. Maybe not next year. But the journey of a thousand miles begins with one step. Take that step every day, and one day you will find yourself much farther along your path than you ever thought possible. ” ~ well said.

    1. Thank you for your feedback. It feeds my soul to know other parents are experiencing the same joy I did 🙂

    2. muddymonkeysmama says:

      Thanks for your touching feedback. We have seen an incredibly jump in Vman just since he started Kindergarten. The first few weeks were rough and then all of a sudden it was like we had a different person in the house. It’s been wonderful and mystifying and magical all at once. It doesn’t mean we still have things we’re working on (the winter coat and fleece are killing me!) but we’ll get there.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *