What You May Not Know...

by Darci Harig

A poem for SPD awareness month:

My skin feels like it is on fire, tags poke at me like a hot wire.
My pants are too loose, or way too tight…no matter what, they just don’t feel right.
My shoes hurt my feet, I just can’t deal
The pain I feel is very real.
Transitions are hard for me, structure and routine are a must
Disregulation and anxiety can lead to mistrust.
What you may not know and what you
may not see
Is that I am a child with SPD.
Loud noises and chaos can really freak me out,
Because of this, I too, may scream and shout.
Sometimes I may hit, push, and run into things too
Please know I am never really trying to hurt you.
I may need to be alone, or have a quiet space
It helps me to feel calm and my mind not to race.
Although we may learn differently, most of us are really quite smart
Learning to understand my needs will help us to have a great start.
What you may not know and what you may not see
Is that I am a child with SPD.
Weighted blankets and compression vests help give me the input I need
A few among the tools used to help me to succeed.
I may have trouble sleeping and wake a lot with fear
It helps to know you love me and that you’re always near.
Quite often I am misunderstood when I don’t behave like the others
They think that I am naughty and, “not like my sisters and brothers”.
What they do not know and what they do not see
Is that I am a child with SPD.
Our senses give our brains directions on how to think and feel
My brain can’t read directions…my SPD is REAL.
You all have a highway where all of your senses travel
I have a traffic jam.. which leads me to unravel.
I don’t need to be judged… or felt sorry for
I am just like you ..although I struggle more.
Please take the time today, to learn more about ME
Because I am more then my SPD.