Spinning Yellow

NYT article about SPD

Yes, it's true, SPD made the New York Times today.  I was about to post a running update, but had to do this first.  The article, The Disorder Is Sensory; the Diagnosis, Elusive, explains what SPD is and where the diagnosis currently stands within the medical community.  It is a good article that highlights how occupational therapists and parents are trying to help children while many doctors are not accepting the idea that Sensory Processing Disorder is, in fact, a legitimate diagnosis.

Exposure is good.  But there is much work to be done to get SPD recognized.  Children and families are suffering because they are alone, without support or understanding.  I want to mainstream SPD.  To have everyone know what it is.  To realize that small changes may make a huge difference.

I want multi-sensory learning to be incorporated in all schools.  For early detection and remediation of Sensory Integration issues to be the norm.  For all children to feel accepted no matter how they experience the world.

The grass roots effort is already snowballing. 

Spread the word. 

Summertime and the Living is Easy

What??  Not around here that's for sure.  Our kids are driving us crazy and it is not even officially summer.  I know I am supposed to love summer.  All relaxed and free wheeling.  Lots of fun in the sun and at the pool.  Truth is, I'm not really a summertime type of person.  It is too hot and there's no routine.  I prefer fall with school and football.  Warm days, cool nights, little rain, and beautiful foliage.  And school.  I like when there is school.

When I was a teenager I loved summer with hot nights and nowhere to go in the morning.  As a grown-up, summer meant over-air conditioned offices and no vacation.  As a parent, summer means sunscreen and not enough school.  I mentioned how much I like school, right?  And when, for crying out loud, is someone going to invent a sunscreen pill or something like the Topspot medicine for pets that spreads over their skin?  Applying sunscreen is THE biggest hassle, especially when you have a kid who hates it like Scott does.

Today was our first trip to the community pool of the season.  It took an hour to get everyone dressed and lathered up with sun screen.  Which Scott turns into a major battle every time we have to do it which is every day now.  I couldn't find my pool bag with the tags and Scott's goggles.  The kids whined and fought and got in trouble the whole time (make that the whole day).  At the pool, Scott whimpered about not wanting to put his head under water.  That swimmer's ear episode last year ruined it for him.  Jane thinks she can swim, but can't yet so ended up with a mouthful of water.  I had to change her in the locker room, because, as you all know, she is sill not potty trained.

They whined for Daddy when he took a 15 minute break to swim laps and then whined for me as I sat on the side of the pool.  When we left to get lunch, they begged to go to the playground.  I reminded them that we will be there everyday for 8 weeks, but they were so excited to check it out all new for the year.  As luck would have it, the GD ice cream truck pulled up just as we were headed to our car.  I want ice cream!!  Jane yelled for the next several hours.

We couldn't decide where to get lunch.  Jane - I want McDonalds.  Scott - No! I don't.  Dad - Where do you want to go?  Me- Where do you want to go?  AHHH!!!  We finally went to a little restaurant/catering place nearby.  Scott - I don't like it here, it's dirty and yucky.  Jane was practically falling asleep.  It took forever for the lady, the only person there, to make our sandwiches.  Scott's took longer because he wanted a cheeses steak (on a 90 degree day), which he said was yummy after the first bite and then said he was full.  Jane just wanted the chips and the chocolate milk.  The lunch for the four of us cost $35.00.

When we got home, Jane whined some more and Scott complained.  Scott was angry and short tempered.   He wouldn't leave Jane alone.  They yelled and pushed each other.  Matt and I were tired and each had to take showers.  Then it started pouring so we had to come up with a new plan for dinner besides grilling.  Scott got sent to his room at least 3 tines for hitting Jane or talking back.  Our kids never stop talking.  Actually, it is Scott who never shuts up.  He calls for me, asks questions and just makes noise, loudly, constantly.  We keep telling him to turn down the volume.  His engine isn't just running high, it is in over-drive.

Scott pitched a fit because I exchanged a 5 dollar bill for change from his piggy bank since I am running low on quarters (parking meters and the tooth fairy are using them all).  I thought he would want to do the math himself, no problem there, of course, 20 quarters, right, Mom?  But he didn't care about that.  I guess he was attached to the actual coins, not just the amount of money.  Or he just wants to be mad about everything.

Jane doesn't get enough sleep because she isn't napping and goes to bed too late.  She is perpetually overtired and cranky.  She interrupted my shower every two minutes to ask for something.  Go find Daddy, I told her.  No!  I want YOU!!  Everyone was super tired from going to bed so late the night before when we had a thunder storm and the lights went out.  Jane screamed and cried about not finding something so Matt had to lie down next to her to get her to sleep.

I need to do heavy work activities with Scott, I need to potty train Jane, I need to re-read Siblings Without Rivalry, I need to get a job and send them to camp, I need to drink more, I need a vacation.

Oh, yeah, I'm really looking forward to summer break.  Start the count down now until September when I will be griping about getting ready for Christmas and putting on snow clothes.