1. Just because you have days when you are overwhelmed, doesn't mean that you are a bad parent. It's okay to cry and it's okay to need a break. You are doing amazing.
2. Beneath every behavior is a feeling. And beneath every feeling is a need. And when we meet that need rather than focus on the behavior, we begin to deal with the cause and not the symptom. ~ Ashleigh Warner
3. If you are always trying to be normal, you will never know how amazing you can be. ~ Maya Angelou
4. I often spend my time wondering if I am doing this right. At some point I need to just remind myself that I'm doing my best. That is enough. ~ Unknown
5. There is no such thing as a “bad kid” - just angry, hurt, tired, scared, confused, impulsive ones expressing their feelings & needs the only way they know how. We owe it to every single one of them to always remember that. ~ Jessica Stephens
6. Discipline is helping a child solve a problem. Punishment is making a child suffer for having a problem. To raise problem solvers, focus on solutions, not retribution. L.R Knost
7. High five to those who are struggling in a world that is too loud, too bright, overwhelming and still continue to shine each day. You are brave and doing amazing. That takes a lot of strength. ~ Unknown
8. Dear Special Needs Parent, I didn't mean to interrupt your scrolling but I wanted to tell you that you are doing a great job! You are strong. You are brave. You are valuable. You are needed. You are beautiful. You are not alone and never forget that. ~ Unknown
9. Strong willed children become adults who change the world as long as we can hang on for the ride and resist the temptation to take the spirit out of them. ~ Sarah Stogryn
10. Embrace the unique way your child is blooming - even if it's not in the garden you imagined. ~ Jenn Soehnlin
11. Behavior is a form of communication. If I am misbehaving at school, I am trying to tell you something. ~ Unknown
12. The best gift you can give a child with special needs is your friendship. To include them, play with them and believe in them. ~ Unknown
13. Don't compare your child to others. There's no comparison between the sun and the moon. They shine when it's their time. ~ Unknown
14. I am a parent. I am a caregiver. I am a family member. It is my job to see the world through this child's eyes. Explain this child to teachers. Explain this child to our community. It is my privilege to fight for this child's needs. ~ Unknown
15. Thinking of your child as 'behaving badly' disposes you to think of punishment. Thinking of your child as 'struggling to handle something difficult' encourages you to help them through their distress. ~ Unknown
16. Special needs parenting can be really tough. Most could never do what you do each day. Don't be so hard on yourself. Be strong. Be brave. You can do this. You are doing a great job. I see you. ~ Unknown
17. Don’t tell a mom she looks tired; she already knows that. Tell her she’s doing a good job; she might not know that. ~ Uknown
18. The hardest part of being a parent is watching a child go through something really tough and not being able to fix it for them. ~ Unknown
19. If you want to know how to treat a child with special needs, look at their sibling...they will show you. ~ Unknown
20. Being a special needs parent means celebrating strengths, choosing to believe there is sun behind the clouds, and never ever giving up. ~ Unknown
21. Sensory Processing Disorder does exist. It's real. Our kids are not bad kids. Our kids do not lack discipline. We are not making excuses for behaviors. A meltdown is not a tantrum. Sensory Processing Disorder can cause extreme reactions and anxiety. Children with SPD are not spoiled and they do not do it for attention. SPD does not affect everyone the same way. Please be understanding and supportive. ~ Jeanette Baker-Loftus
22. Repeat after me: I am not a bad parent. I am a great parent having a bad day.
23. When parenting a child with special needs, the need for self-care even greater and is twice as challenging as for other parents to get. ~ Unknown
24. We are not special parents because we have special needs children. We are regular people who have become better human beings because of our special needs children. ~ Unknown
25. When little people are overwhelmed by big emotions, it's our job to share our calm, not join their chaos. ~ L.R Knost
26. I am a Sensory Processing Disorder Mom, not all super heroes wear capes. ~ Jeanette Baker-Loftus
27. You can't teach children to behave better by making them feel worse. When children feel better, they behave better. ~ Pam Leo
33. I will speak for you, I will fight for you, I will advocate for you, So that one day, You can do it for yourself. ~ Unknown
34. Sometimes when you see the parent of a special needs child cry, its better not to ask why? Sometimes it only takes three words to ease their pain. Those three words are … I AM HERE. ~Unknown
35. Sometimes as the parent of a special needs child, I often feel desperate for a miracle ... then I look into the eyes of my child and realize I already created one. ~Unknown
36. I don’t think the worst thing that could happen to me is raising a child with special needs. I think the worst thing is to raise a child who is cruel to those with special needs. ~ unknown
37. Do not let a broken system convince you that you have a broken child. ~ Uknown
38. Surround yourself with people who get it. Surround yourself with people who will be supportive and understanding. Surround yourself with people who won't judge you or your child. Surround yourself with people who will love you and your child unconditionally. Find your tribe. A tribe that will be there for you and your child on your journey. You and your child deserve this and nothing less. ~ Unknown
39. Children with special needs come into our lives, leaving footprints on our hearts and we are never the same. ~ Unknown
40. Parents of newly diagnosed kids. It's going to be okay. Your child is still your child. Your love for them won't ever change. There will be days that are hard. Heartbreaking even. It's okay to not be okay. Just don't get stuck there. Your child needs you to be strong. When you think you have it hard, remember it is harder for your child. Find your tribe. Find those who support you and understand this path that you are walking. Channel your emotions towards the fight. The fight for services, quality education, and quality of life. Never give up. ALWAYS have hope. Your child is going to teach you SO MUCH! ~ Unknown
41. Remember: everyone in the classroom has a story that leads to misbehavior or defiance. 9 times out of 10, the story behind the misbehavior won’t make you angry. It will break your heart. ~Annette Breaux
42. A child with disabilities often spends hours being taught how to interact with others... but why don't we spend time teaching those without disabilities how to interact with them? ~ Calleen Petersen
43. Instead of teaching children to get 'there,' why not let them be here? Where is 'there' anyway? The world needs more 'here' than 'there'. ~ Vince Gowmon
44. Having children with special needs can be challenging. Getting people to understand can be the hardest part. ~ Unknown
45. Someone with Sensory Processing Disorder makes me proud every single day.
46. I think having a child with disabilities teaches you a level of love, patience, protection, compassion and understanding you didn't even know existed. ~ Unknown
47. It is so important to love someone a little extra on their bad days.
48. A child with special needs is not choosing to be difficult or misbehaving on purpose. They just react to things differently. Be patient and kind always. ~ Unknown
49. When your child is having a meltdown... don't talk. Don't try to reason. Don't get angry. Your child can't hear you. Just be silent and loving until the storm passes. Words can come later. ~ Unknown
50. They said he wouldn't, but he did. They said he couldn't, but he can. They said he won't, but he will. ~ Unknown
51. Cherish the children marching to the beat of their own music. They play the most beautiful heart songs. ~ Finona Goldsworthy
52. Motherhood is about raising and celebrating the child you have, not the child you thought you would have. It's about understanding that he is exactly the person he is supposed to be. And that, if you're lucky, he just might be the teacher who turns you into the person you are supposed to be. ~ Joan Ryan
53. Uncertainty is stressful. But you don't need all the answers. Just breathe deeply & take small steps. ~ Karen Salmansohn
54. I hope you know you're capable, brave and significant. Even when it feels like you're not. ~ Unknown
55. There are really places in your heart that you don't know exist until you love a child. ~ Anne Lamott
56. There are no bad children. There are bad choices. There are bad moments. There are bad days. There are bad situations. But there are no bad children. Period. L.R Knost
57. Judging a child who has special needs does not define who they are... it defines who you are. ~ Unknown
58. When you are frustrated with me because of the things I cannot do … Just imagine how frustrated I must be because I am not able. ~ Unknown
59. Dear parents who have children with special needs, It's okay to admit that the rain falls a little harder on some days. Take a deep breath and remember, the love you carry, will see you through. ~ Unknown
60. Crying and feeling sad when you have a child who has special needs does not mean that you are weak. It means that you're a parent who is in search of getting your child all that he/she needs and at times feels frustrated, overwhelmed and isolated. ~ Unknown
61. My child is my everything, so I will give anything and stop at nothing. That is all. ~ Unknown
62. Remember, popcorn is prepared in the same pot, in the same heat, in the same oil, but the kernels don't pop at the same time. Don't compare your child to other children, their turn to pop is coming. ~ Unknown
63. The kids who need the most love will ask for it in the most unloving ways. ~ Russell Barkley
64. Your special needs journey won't be the same as anyone else's, so don't let anyone in the world tell you what it should look like. ~ Unknown
65. What makes you DIFFERENT is what makes you BEAUTIFUL. ~ Unknown
66. It shouldn’t matter how slowly a child learns. What matters is that we encourage them to never stop trying. ~ Robert John Meehan
67. Don't let others who don't understand your child's struggles, make you doubt your parenting. ~ Unknown
68. A child is like a butterfly in the wind. Some can fly higher than others, but each one flies the best it can. Why compare one against the other? Each one is different, each one is special, each one is beautiful. ~ Unknown
69. My child isn't giving me a hard time, they are having a hard time. ~ Unknown
70. Encourage me. Support me. Never underestimate my mind. I will meet milestones in my own way and in my own. ~ Uknown time.
71. When you find yourself locked in the bathroom, sobbing on the floor because you've just had enough, that does not mean you have failed as a mother. Being a mother is hard. That is not failure. That is fact. Remind yourself of that. ~ Unknown
72. Meet your child where they are at, not where the world expects them to be. ~ Unknown
73. You can't punish a child who is acting out because of sensory overload. ~ Temple Grandin
74. Anger and aggressive behavior can be a mask for anxiety. When children are overwhelmed by internal feelings they don't know how to process, it turns into outbursts & meltdowns. ~ Sarah Boyd
75. When you judge someone based on a diagnosis, you miss out on their abilities, beauty, and uniqueness. ~ Unknown
76. Behind every challenging behavior is a child with a beautiful soul, just needing someone to listen, to believe in and love them. ~ Kerry Aryal
77. As a parent, you always worry about your child but there are so many other worries when you have a child who has Sensory Processing Disorder. ~ Jeanette Baker- Loftus
78. You do not have to make your children into wonderful people. You just have to remind them that they are wonderful people. If you do this consistently from the day they are born, they will believe it easily. ~ William Martin
79. Before I became a parent, I swore my kids would never have a tantrum in public. Let's all take a minute to laugh about this together. ~ Unknown
80. When your child who has Sensory Processing Disorder dislikes loud noises, but is the loudest person you know. ~ Jeanette Baker- Loftus
81. Respond to your children with love in their worst moments their broken moments their angry moments their selfish moments their lonely moments their frustrated moments their inconvenient moments because it is in their most unlovable human moments that they most need to feel loved. ~ L.R. Knost
82. Believe in yourself as a parent. You are your child’s best therapist and advocate. ~ Unknown
83. Being a parent is not about what you gave up to have a child with special needs, but what you gained from having one. ~ Unknown
84. It's Sensory Processing Disorder … not bad parenting. ~ Unknown
85. It take unimaginable strength to continually endure, persist & overcome. People with disabilities aren't weak. They're the strongest human beings you'll ever meet. ~ Unknown
86. Cherish the children marching to the beat of their own music.They play the most beautiful heart song. ~ Fiona Goldsworthy
87. In my world there are no bad bad kids, just impressionable conflicted young people, wrestling with emotions and impulses, trying to communicate their feelings and needs the only way they know how. ~ Janet Landsbury
88. Hey, Beautiful One. You knew today would be a little tricky. Hang tight, Love. You're walking in the right direction. Just keep walking. ~ Unknown
89. Parents are often quick to judge whether or not behavior warrants a punishment, but when we pause to listen to what the behavior is saying about our child’s feelings and experience, a whole new world opens up to us and our children. ~ Rebecca Eanes
90. Dear special needs parent, Whenever you find yourself doubting how far you can go, just remember how far you have come. Remember everything that you have faced, all the battles you have won, and all the fears you have overcome. ~ Unknown
91. When a child can’t calm down they need connection and comfort, not criticism and control. ~ Jane Evans
92. Children with Autism and Sensory Processing Disorder are like a snowman. Creative, beautiful, fun and they meltdown. Please be understanding.
93. Yelling silences your message. Speak quietly so your children can hear your words instead of just your voice. ~ L.R Knost
94. Everyone needs encouragement at times. If you are a parent of a child with special needs, I see you. I know how difficult things can be. ~ Unknown
95. Autism is a journey that I never planned but I sure do love my tour guide. ~ Unknown
96. Don't expect everyone to understand your journey, especially if they've never had to walk your path. ~ Unknown
97. I hope you find time and space to rest and recharge, I hope you know you're deserving of it. And in a world which tells us that being busy and "productive" is the goal, I hope you know rest is not indulgent. It is a necessity. ~ Unknown
98. Being a special needs parent ... you have good days, bad days and those days where you just try and get by without falling apart. ~ Unknown
99. There comes a moment when you realize that what you are advocating for is more than just accommodations. You're really advocating for someone's quality of life. That's the moment you realize that you won't give up. ~ Unknown
100. When a flower doesn’t bloom, you fix the environment in which it grows, not the flower. ~ Alexander Den Heijer
101. Special needs parents are tired ... Special needs parents are stressed ... Special needs parents are trying ... But ... special needs parents won't give up. ~ Unknown
102. Parents who feel guilty about not doing enough are usually the ones doing everything possible. ~ Unknown
103. Parenting is the easiest thing to have an opinion on, but the hardest thing in the world to do. ~ Matt Walsh
104. Children don't know how to ask for what they don't know they need. Their asking comes in the form of behavior. ~ Bonnie Harris
105. "You look tired" I have a child with Sensory Processing Disorder, I am pretty sure this is my face is now. ~ Jeanette Baker Loftus
106. Nobody hides pain better than a mother who’s trying to remain strong for her kids. ~ Unknown
107. I have a child with special needs. I didn't know if I would be strong enough. Turns out I am. And so are you. ~ Lisa Thornbury
108. SPECIAL NEEDS PARENT SLEEP: It's like regular sleep but without the sleep.
109. Teach your children that strength doesn't come from what you can do. It comes from overcoming the things you once thought you couldn't. ~ Rikki Rogers
110. Give yourself the same care and attention that you give others and watch yourself bloom ~ Unknown
111. When I feel grief wash over me, when I am tired of fighting, when I feel isolated or exhausted, I can almost hear another special need mom telling me "you got this" ~ Silvia Corradin
112. Your child is capable of things no one can predict. ~ Natan Gendelman
113. The disability is not the problem. The accessibility is the problem. ~ Mohamed Jemni
114. Meet your child where they are, not where the world expects them to be. ~ Unknown
115. Shift your parenting views. Your child is not stubborn, he is determined. Your child is not defiant, she is learning to express her opinions. You child is not bossy, he is honing in on his leadership skills through trial and error. Your child is not selfish, she expresses her ownership and responsibility. Celebrate their strengths. Look at your kids differently and you will nurture them differently. ~ Umm Anissa
116. Take one day at a Time. Sometimes it’s one hour at a time.
117. It is not our differences that divide us. It is our inability to recognize, accept, and celebrate those differences. ~Audre Lorde
118. It feels hard because it is hard. Please go a little easier on yourself. ~ Unknown
119. Just in case you need this today: You are loved. You are doing a great job. You are a fantastic parent. You are not a failure. You are needed. Yo
120. When you are feeling lost... remember who you are doing it for. ~ Unknownu are wanted. I believe in you. You can do it.
121. Each Child is Unique, Not Only Capable of Learning But Also Capable of Succeeding. ~ Robert John Meehan
122. Parenting a special-needs child is hard work. It is physically exhausting, mentally and emotionally draining, time-consuming, and often times, very, very lonely. ~ Patrick Baldwin
123. The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity, and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen. ~ Elisabeth Kübler-Ross
124. 1 in 20 children have a disability. That gives 19 kids a daily opportunity to learn about diversity, collaboration, inclusion and friendship. ~ Unknown
125. On particularly rough days when I'm sure I can't possibly endure more, I remind myself that my track record for getting through bad days has been 100%. And that’s pretty good. ~ Unknown
126. The way we talk to our children becomes their inner voice. ~ Peggy O'Mara
127. Be the encourager. The world has plenty of critics already. ~ Dave Willis
128. It’s not only children who grow. Parents do, too. As much as we watch to see what our children do with their lives, they are watching us to see what we do with ours. I can’t tell my children to reach for the sun. All I can do is reach for it myself. ~ Joyce Maynard
129. When parenting a child who has Sensory Processing Disorder, you are not always going to have the answers. You are not always going to get it right the first time. There will be many times when nothing is working and that's not because of your parenting skills. It's because parenting a child with Sensory Processing Disorder can be very challenging. It is not easy. Your child has additional needs. Their needs are different than other children. We are all learning as we go. Go a little easier on yourself. You are doing a great job!~ Jeanette Loftus
130. Parenting is a constant battle between going to bed to catch up on sleep or staying awake to finally get some alone time. ~ Unknown
131. We shouldn't discipline children who are not behaving due to Sensory Processing Disorder. We should guide them through the behavior without shaming them. Children shouldn't be punished for something beyond their control. Recognize the sense that they are needing to stimulate. Redirect them to a sensory activity that simulates their senses in a similar way.
132. No matter how stressed you are, remember how blessed you are. ~ Unknown
133. Sometimes the people around you won't understand your journey. They don't need to, it's not for them. ~ Joubert Botha
134. You are strong for getting out of bed in the morning when it feels like hell. You are brave for doing things even though they scare you or make you anxious. And you are amazing for trying and holding on no matter how hard life gets. ~ Unknown
135. Every day is a new beginning, take a deep breath, smile and start again. ~ Unknown
136. Life is tough, my darling, but so are you. ~ Stephanie Bennett Henry
137. Sometimes, it's our own love that we need the most, and first. Make yourself a priority. ~ Unknown
138. Before you judge me as a special needs parent... Please know that I am already my biggest critic. ~ Unknown
139. Don't compare your child to others. There's no comparison between the sun and the moon. They shine when it's their time. ~ Unknown
140. They say it takes a village to raise a child. Where can I get directions to this freaking village? ~ Unknown
141. Talk through your frustration and your child will learn to talk through theirs. ~ Unknown
142. There isn't a single person on this planet who is entitled to treat you badly. Remember that. ~ Unknown
143. Soon, when all is well, you're going to look back on this period of your life and be so glad that you never gave up. ~ Brittany Burgurder
144. When you're in a dark place, you sometimes tend to think you've been buried. Perhaps you've been planted. Bloom!. ~ Peenhaz Hussain
145. You are more than the mistakes you've made. You are the wisdom, love, strength and compassion you’ve gained from all you’ve been through. ~ Karen Salmansohn
146. A little person who has special needs has taught me to be braver & stronger than I ever thought I could be. I've learned coping skills I never knew I had I have learned to fight like a prize fighter under stress but most importantly, I have fallen in love with a little person who has made me a better person. ~ Susan Zajicek
147. Anxiety happens when you think you have to figure everything out at once. Breathe. You are strong. You got this. Take it day by day. ~ Unknown
148. I think you are all doing a very beautiful job figuring out some heavy shit. ~ Unknown
150. They say it takes a village to raise a child. I think it takes a child with autism or other special needs to raise the consciousness of a village. ~ Elaine Hall
151. It's okay to be sensitive, that's what happens when you have magic in your heart. ~ Unknown
152. There is tired and there's Sensory Processing Disorder parent tired … ~ Jeanette Baker-Loftus
153. Do what you feel in your heart to be right- for you'll be criticized anyway. You'll be damned if you do, and damned if you don't. ~ Eleanor Roosevelt
154. Whatever life throws at you, even if it hurts you, just be strong and fight through it. Remember, strong walls shake but never collapse. ~ Unknown
155. The struggle you're in today is developing the strength you need for tomorrow. Don't give up! ~ Robert Tew
156. You were someone before you were their Mom and that person matters. ~ Unknown
157. Don't be sad because you are not there yet. Be happy because you are getting closer every day. ~ Unknown
158. You never know how strong you are until being strong is your only choice. ~ Bob Marley
159. Parenting has nothing to do with perfection. Perfection isn’t even the goal, not for us, not for our children. Learning together to live well in an imperfect world, loving each other despite or even because of our imperfections, and growing as humans while we grow our little humans, those are the goals of gentle parenting. So don’t ask yourself at the end of the day if you did everything right. Ask yourself what you learned and how well you loved, then grow from your answer. That is perfect parenting. ~ L.R Knost
160. Mama, You are NOT defined by How your child sleeps, Your child's behaviour, What your child eats, Your child's reactions, or Your child's development. ~ Unknown
161. Tell your story. Shout it. Write it. Whisper it if you have to. But tell it. Some won't understand it. Some will outright reject it. But many will thank you for it. And then the most magical thing will happen. One by one … your tribe will gather. And you will never feel alone again. ~ L.R Knost
162. Forgive yourself for not knowing what you didn't know before you learned it. ~ Maya Angelou
163. As a mama, I'm only ever going to be in 1 of 3 places. In front of my kids cheering them on, behind them to have their back, or beside them so they never have to walk alone. ~ Unknown
Thank you for your gifts. Please be patient with me while I learn how to do this. ~ Unknown
It can be challenging for children who have Sensory Processing Disorder to try new foods. ~ Jeanette Loftus
I will always advocate for my child.
I will always love my child.
I will always support my child.
I will always be there for my child.
My child will never walk through this alone.
There are always going to be people who say things to them because they don't understand but believe me, that parent is always criticizing themselves every day when they shouldn't be.
They don't need your judgement. They need support, love, understanding and compassion.
Just because you don't understand or can't see it, that doesn't mean that you should judge someone else. ~ Jeanette Loftus
If you feel like your child is behaving for others and not you, don't think it's you. It is a compliment. It means they feel safe to come to you with anything.
When your child has a great day with someone else but comes back with you and that's when you notice their behaviors and meltdowns, it's because they love you. They hold it all inside until they are safe with you to be themselves.
You are their safe place. It is not your parenting.
This isn't their journey to understand. They judge you because they don't understand Sensory Processing Disorder.
It doesn't matter that they don't believe you. What matters is that you believe your child and will love them through their journey. ~ Jeanette Loftus
A child's reaction can change from one day to the next. They can change throughout the day too.
The overwhelming symptoms they felt last week may not affect them this week. How they react can be different depending on their environment and situation.
A child's sensory experiences may fluctuate daily. They may avoid sensory experiences today that they will seek out tomorrow.
We should not wait until they are already dysregulated to accommodate their sensory needs. ~ Jeanette Loftus
I'm giving my child what they need in that moment, they need me to help them through it.
Sensory meltdowns are not the same as tantrums. ~ Jeanette Loftus
It's not all bad days though; they have really great days and the most amazing moments too! Occasionally they have days full of sadness but those days are still filled with love, hope and happiness.
On the tough days, hold on to that love, that happiness and that hope because things will get better. You are not alone. ~ Jeanette Loftus
I know you're tired but keep going.
I know you've tried many things that aren't working but keep going.
I know you're worried but keep going.
I know you're scared for the future but keep going.
I know you question and doubt yourself but keep going.
There is no one in this world who is best for this job to parent your child other than you.
You don't need to be perfect. You don't need to have all the answers. Just keep going. ~ Jeanette Loftus
The only "look" that children with Sensory Processing Disorder have is that they are all beautiful. ~ Jeanette Loftus
Talking down to a child won't make Sensory Processing Disorder go away.
Punishing or disciplining won't make Sensory Processing Disorder go away.
Insults and criticizing won't make Sensory Processing Disorder go away.
Pushing them to be tougher won't make Sensory Processing Disorder go away.
Please respect how I am raising my child who has Sensory Processing Disorder. ~ Jeanette Loftus
P.S. I am proud of you.
What someone experiences today, could change tomorrow too.
Sensory needs are always changing. ~ Jeanette Loftus
Sensory Processing Disorder can be very challenging for everyone involved.
You are doing a great job! ~ Jeanette Loftus
When things feel overwhelming, remember:
One thought at a time
One task at a time
One day at a time ~ Unknown
