Parent of a child with Sensory Processing Disorder

by Molly Anderson
(Lincoln Nebraska)

As parents, we love our children no matter what issues they have. The real problem is with the rest of the world in which our children reside. It is important to educate your child's teachers and schools on this matter as the child can easy be identified as aggressive, pushy or just another kid with ADHD who has to be "handled". The teachers are blind to their bias, and the children suffer more harm and ostracism than we know.

During school my son who is sensory seeking, is punished for his biological need for sensory seeking by being made to do the opposite, sit in the time out chair, every time his biological need rears it's head, almost constantly. In addition to this, our school is aware of his problem, has met with his psychologist, heard input from their own OT, and still they meet his disabilities with punitive motions that attempt to thwart nature. It's as if they are attempting to tame some type of wild animal. I am more than disappointed.

I hope that all parents can stand up for the rights of their children, and attempt to educate educators on this issue as school systems are clearly biased and ignorant on this topic. Please, find appropriate academically sound research and data and supply your local school system with the acceptable tools needed to help our children, in the long run it will pay off.