What SPD Parents Want You To Know 






I asked 60 parents what they would like others to know about Sensory Processing Disorder. 

Here are their answers. 





1. Sensory Processing Disorder is not just parents making excuses for behavior problems in school


2. Our kids are not "bad kids" 


3. Our kids do not "lack discipline"


4. You can not "spank the behaviors out of them"


5. We are not making excuses for bad behaviors   


6. "One size fits all" parenting does not work with Sensory Processing Disorder


7. Sensory Processing Disorder is real. It changes. It shifts. It morphs. Just because something was fine one moment, doesn't mean it will be fine the next


8. It can be extremely challenging to live with as well as to parent a child who has 
Sensory Processing Disorder


9. 
Sensory Processing Disorder cause extreme reactions, behaviors, and anxiety


10. Small accomplishments in overcoming  sensory differences are huge for kids and families


11. Sensory Processing Disorder does exist!


12. If you see a child having a meltdown in the store, it's not because they're misbehaving. This  could be sensory overload


13. A meltdown is not the same as a tantrum


14. Our kids are not weird, or bad. Don't judge, & educate yourself about 
Sensory Processing Disorder


15. Change is scary for children with 
Sensory Processing Disorder


16. Children with Sensory Processing Disorder may use weighted blankets for calming. They crave pressure


17. Some food they just can not eat, sometimes it's the texture sometimes it's the sight


18. They won't eat eventually when they are hungry enough


19. 
Sensory Processing Disorder is not something they just out grow


20. Be inclusive; someone's path through these woods may not be visible to you, be patient. Their path is just as beautiful and full of potential as the one you can see 


21. Malicious opinions are not acceptable. Simply being supportive and understanding is very appreciated


22. Children with 
Sensory Processing Disorder are not giving us a hard time, they are having a hard time


23. Sounds and smells can cause our children meltdown


24. 
Sensory Processing Disorder does not affect everyone the same way


25. Reading about 
Sensory Processing Disorder is different than living with Sensory Processing Disorder


26. Sensory Processing Disorder is not "curable"


27. Symptoms or "triggers" may change over time for our children as they get older, are exposed to new/different things & settings


28. Children with 
Sensory Processing Disorder are not "spoiled" and they do not react this way for attention


29. 
Children with 
Sensory Processing Disorder are still amazing kiddos with a lot of love to give


30. You are never too young to have 
Sensory Processing Disorder. Please don't tell us to give our children more time. Saying "all kids go through things like this" is NOT helpful as we are doubting what we think and you are making those doubts worse


31. We are not bad parents. We are good parents because we try our best


32. 
Many children with Sensory Processing Disorder have a very high IQ and are gifted


33. We wouldn't change them for the world, but we sometimes wish we could change the world for them


34. 
Sensory Processing Disorder can be a disability


35. Please don't brag to us about how well your child does and how he/she is exceeding expectations with things. It can be hurtful. Just because they are not exceeding levels expected of them doesn't mean they are not exceeding and overcoming a lot on a daily basis


36. Don't judge us parents, but support us and encourage us


37. How they react has nothing to do with their age. 


38. 
Sensory Processing Disorder is exhausting for parents, and kids too 


39. Children who have 
Sensory Processing Disorder can do what typical kids can do


40. Either support  and help us parents or get out of the way, please


41. When it looks like our children are spacing out and unable to focus, they are actually trying to process sensations and feelings


42. Understand that our children are smart, beautiful, kind and caring. They are compassionate and have huge hearts


43. Kids (and parents of) have feelings too


44. 
Until you walk a mile in our shoes, please do not judge us 


45.  
Sensory Processing Disorder can be can be debilitating


46. We have good days and bad days


47. We parent our children based on our child's individual needs


48. Girls and boys can have 
Sensory Processing Disorder


49. We wish 
Sensory Processing Disorder would be recognized in the The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)


50. We would love for our family and friends to learn more about 
Sensory Processing Disorder


51. Just because Sensory Processing Disorder cannot be diagnosed, does not make it any less of a diagnosis. This doesn't mean that our children suffer any less  


52. Change is not always good. Change is very difficult for children with 
Sensory Processing Disorder


53. Please stop telling us that if we spanked our children that they wouldn't act like this


54. 
Sensory Processing Disorder doesn't have a "look"


55. Kids with 
Sensory Processing Disorder may only eat certain foods or wear certain clothes


56. Adults can also have Sensory Processing Disorder


57. 
Sensory Processing Disorder is a disorder that you cannot physically see. What may look like defiance is actually the child's inability to cope with his overwhelming environment


58. 
Sensory Processing Disorder doesn't just affect the kids, but everyone around them. 


59. Most parents who have children with Sensory Processing Disorder are often tired and exhausted


60. Children are not the only ones affected by 
Sensory Processing Disorder. Often the parent and their child have Sensory Processing Disorder and trigger each other









DISCLAIMER: I am not an Occupational Therapist. I am an adult who has Sensory Processing Disorder, a sensory parent and a Grandma. The information on this website is not medical advice and does not replace the information that your child's therapists give you. These are just ideas and information that I have learned myself over the years of being a parent and an adult living with SPD. If you are concerned for your child, please always seek medical attention through a family doctor, pediatrician or therapist. This website is for suggestions and informational purposes only. Each child is different and what works for one child may not for another because all children have different needs. Please always consult with a professional.

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