Mutterings Of A Mindless Mommy

This domain has been dormant for quite some time and I thought I’d revive it in a new format. Being a mother is both a rewarding and a challenging job. I am a stay-at-home-mom so my primary responsibility is to both of my children. However both of my children have very definite and different needs; my goal with this site is to discuss those needs and any news related to them that I feel may be important. I would like to be a resource for other mothers who are growing in their career (yes I consider this a career).

First I will discuss my oldest child; my son Alex is 5 (5 and a half is you ask him) and has Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) as well as Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD). ADHD is a very controversial topic these days as many people, including myself, feel that it is over diagnosed. We have ‘known’ with my son since he was three years old that he was definitely much more spirited then even the most spirited children out there so we started out with dietary intervention subscribing to the Feingold Program. I am so thankful for the Feingold Program it has made a tremendous change in our lives. Eventually the ADHD started impacted our lives (including his) more and more so we have gone the pharmaceutical route with him. Again this is an even more controversial topic than just ADHD but until someone has walked a day in my shoes they do not have the right to judge me for my choice in this matter.

Sensory Processing Disorder is the newest term to describe what was once known as Sensory Integration Disorder and prior to that Dysfunction of Sensory Integration. Everyone has certain “sensory sensitivities” but children with Sensory Processing Disorder have such a hard time with these sensitivities that it impacts their daily lives. Have you ever seen a child have covering their ears in a busy supermarket; perhaps that child is auditorily sensitive and he is in sensory overload because his little brain can’t filter out the sounds that don’t need to be heard. This is just one example of how sensory processing disorder can affect a person.

My daughter is my second, and last child. Just shy of her third birthday she was diagnosed with autism. Autism is often referred to as an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and is one of several (others include PDD-NOS, Asperger’s Syndrome, etc). I have met many, many children with autism and not a single one looked, acted, or had symptoms presented just like another. It is a true spectrum. One child with autism may have great eye contact while another might not notice you are there. One thing that really irritates me about some people is they assume what a child with autism is like; more often than not that person is wrong.

As part of my daughter’s autism she also has Sensory Processing Disorder. Her sensory needs are much different than my son’s which makes for an exciting day. My son shies away from touch and will wipe away a kiss whereas my daughter craves touch and deep pressure. A day in my life is interesting trying to balance the very important yet opposite needs of my children.

I lost a lot of important time waiting based on the advice of well-meaning doctors and family members. My daughter missed out on Early Intervention services and my son has had to deal with his sensory processing issues for years beyond what would have been necessary. They are both now receiving appropriate therapies and are on the road to an easier life. If I achieve nothing with this blog aside from helping one mother then I will have considered it a success. I will be posting news pieces about autism, ADHD, sensory processing disorder, developmental delays, etc in addition to my regular mutterings; Mutterings of A Mindless Mommy.