Thanks for the Reminder

I found this list on Sensory Planet. It sums up how SPD affects children so well. I really needed a reminder about some of these things right now, especially numbers 4, 6 and 7. (more on that at the end)



What a child with SPD would tell you if they could:


1. I have SEVEN senses, not five. Each of them affects the way I feel and learn and interact with those around me.


2. I must have a calm mind and a calm body in order to learn. I have a bright mind that becomes lost and confused with a traffic jam of input from my sensory system.

3. There are many red flags to my disorder that are often-times unintentionally disregarded: I’m not being a “big boy” or girl for not crying after that “huge fall” – I may be unaware or unresponsive to pain or touch. I may be very bothered by overcrowded areas, or my clothing may bother me to the point of a meltdown. I may avoid touching any thing “messy” like glue, mud, or even my birthday cake! Noises may bother me to the point of a full-body “startle”, or my hands may “fly” up to my ears to cover the sound. It may be hard for me to wind down to go to sleep at night; or I may never nap during the day or sleep through the night. I might chew on my clothing at the sleeves or collars excessively. All of these things can indicate a body that is having trouble staying regulated.


4. Meltdowns are not the same as a tantrum. A meltdown is an outburst of rage or frustration caused by stress (i.e. caused by sensory overload) A meltdown is not a tantrum. A tantrum is intentional behavior for the purpose of manipulation.


5. I do best when I have a routine; it comforts me and gives me something that I can count on when most of the time everything in my day feels out of control.


6. Transitions are hard for me (and the words “no”, “don’t”, and “STOP” are all transition words).


7. A Sensory Diet is an important part of my day. Every Day.


8. I am not going to “grow out” of my SPD. With sensory-based Occupational Therapy and maturity, I will learn self-coping skills but my disorder will never “just go away”.


9. If I “could”, I “would. You can’t coax a sensory sensitive system to do something you want it to. If I’m having a hard time with my clothes, or the weather, or the noise, or the food in front of me, WORDS usually aren’t the answer to make things better for me.


10. I am brave. I face a world that doesn’t understand me every day.

#4 has been a tough one for me to remember lately. Meechi's increased meltdowns have really rattled my nerves and it's easy to slip into the habit of treating him like any other kid. I need to stop and remember that it is beyond his control and he is not just acting out.

#6 there have been an increased amount of transitions going on everyday for Meechi and it is leading to those meltdowns. Remembering that those words, "no" "don't" and "stop" only add to the problem is something I need to really work on.

#7 has become an issue. while we are down south visiting Daddy it is hard to get that sensory diet in everyday. honestly though, I haven't been keeping up with it at home either. I need to be sure and make the time each day to be sure Meechi is getting his sensory diet, no matter how much we have going on in our lives right now. It is important and I need to be sure we are doing this.

Prayer

A prayer for myself and for my Christmas Angel

Create in me a pure heart, O God,

and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Do not cast me from your presence

or take your Holy Spirit from me.

Restore to me the joy of salvation

and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

bible - psalm 51:10-12 - king david

and revised as a prayer for my Christmas angel, Dmitriy:

Create in him a pure heart, O God,

and renew a steadfast spirit within him.

Do not cast him from your presence

or take your Holy Spirit from him.

Restore to him the joy of salvation

and grant him a willing spirit, to sustain him.

If you feel so led, please click on Dmitriy's Christmas Angel button to the right and donate to his adoption grant fund. You may also inquire about adopting this special boy if it is in your heart to do so!

gone down south

We are down south visiting Meechi's daddy for a couple of weeks. Meech was SO happy to see his daddy after he's been away for a month. It took him a minute in the airport to really understand that was Daddy standing there, but once he realized it he shouted, "HEY!" and went running into Daddy's arms!

Meechi being silly in the park (i am loving the weather here!)

With any luck we'll be moving down here in January. The older kids dad filed an objection against me moving them out of state. So we have court in December.

It's ok Little One

todays thoughts and prayers for my Christmas Angel.

Don't worry it's going to be ok.

It's all right little one

you're safe and loved.

It's ok to cry,

it's ok to be afraid,

it's ok to be weak,

it's ok to be vulnerable,

it's ok to be human.

You are not alone.

Let us come together and truly make sure this child will not be alone. Please click on Dmitriy's Christmas Angel button to the right to see how you can help.

Halloween 09

Meechi had a really great Halloween experience this year. Last year he was too scared to trick or treat. He had started out ok, but then a dog ran toward us and terror set in. We had gone to about three houses before his trick or treating was over. This year was a completely difference experience.

First of all, this year Meechi actually was a dog. He has decided that dog's are pretty much ok now and he crawls through the house on all fours barking much of the time. So it seemed fitting that he be a puppy for halloween. Not a fan of overpriced, poorly made store bought costumes, I opted to make Meechi's puppy costume. I couldn't find sweats or a blanket sleeper in the color I wanted and my attempt to dye a sleeper was an epic failure. So I went with the next best thing, puppy pajama's! I found these cute puppy pj's at Target and then I made a tail from felt and sewed it on. I found a brown stocking cap for $1 at Walmart and made felt ears that I sewed on. A few touches of makeup and we had an adorable puppy.

As I was saying...

Trick or treating went so much better this year. Meechi was very excited. He ran from house to house. It was so cute! His little feet were almost going too fast for his body to keep up. He knocked on doors, said "trick or treat" and even said "thank you" before climbing back down each porch to run on to the next.

He had a great time and I had a great time watching him!

Meet Dmitriy

(this was supposed to post on Nov 1st, but for some reason it did not. better late than never)

November 1st marked the official start of the Reece's Rainbow Christmas Angel Tree project.

from their site:
Running from November 1-December 31, 2009, the Christmas Angel Tree is our most important fundraiser of every year, and historically also corresponds to the highest number of children finding their "forever families" as well. THERE IS NO SHORTAGE OF FAMILIES WISHING TO ADOPT CHILDREN WITH DOWN SYNDROME, only a shortage of funds to do so! Our goal is to raise $1000 or more for each of our nearly (200) waiting children with Down syndrome. That may seem like a lofty goal, but through the focused efforts of our generous donors and Christmas Warriors, we know we can reach it!

This year I felt compelled to become a Christmas Warrior for one of these special children. (I will actually be advocating for two of the children, one on this blog and and another over at Trial By Jury)


Meet Dmitriy.
Date of Birth: May 2006
Eyes: Blue
Hair: blond
Character: Sociable
I chose to advocate for Dmitriy because he shares a few things in common with my own son. First, is his name (yes, that is actually Meechi's real name, although the spelling is a bit different), second is that this child is spending his first years of life in an orphanage instead of in a loving home, and third because I know that, like my son, this little boy will blossom and thrive with the love of a family. I think of my own son and the possibility that he may never have known love, family, and caring, that he may never have been given the opportunity to receive an education and the services he needs. Then I look into the eyes of Dmitriy and I pray that he gets a chance to have those things, just like my son.

Please help me in raising $1000 for Dmitriy's grant fund. If you can't donate to his fund at this time, then please join me in praying for him. You can also help to spread the word about this little angel and help advocate for him! Please feel free to share this post on Facebook, Twitter, or your own blog.... let's help Dmitriy find a family of his own!

A Prayer for Orphans

Today I say a prayer for my Christmas Angel. Please join me in prayer for this child and the many other orphans around the world.

A Prayer for Orphans

Lord God,
Bless these children,
so hungry and hurting.
Bless their parents,
whether living or deceased.
Keep the hearts of the staff
full of love for these little ones.
Let these children be adopted
into loving homes.
Heal them from physical,
mental, and spiritual ailments.
Help keep their hearts
open to others
that they may learn to trust and love,
and open to You,
that when their life is done,
they may live with You in heaven
for all eternity.
Angels of God,
Their Guardians Dear,
To whom God’s love commits them here
Ever this day, be at their side
To light and guard,
To rule and guide.
Amen.