Entering a new world but finally having understanding

by Cassandra
(Woodstock, GA)

I have a 4 year old son named Ashton. He is my middle child. About 6 months ago I got a gut instinct that something was not quite "right" with his behavior. My husband and I always said Ashton was his own unique person. He had his little quirks about him and we just took it as being his personality. We had to tell people not to crowd him, that he does not like to be touched unless he is willing, please do not pick him up if he does not want to be held (he would cry excessively until put down), and to give him time to warm up to you (even with family and friends he has seen numerous times before).




Ashton was a good baby but very quiet and liked the quiet. Bath time was a chore when he was small. Took quite a while for him to enjoy bath time. I could go on and on about all the little things in his behavior that have added up and with my "mom" intuition finally makes sense. A lot of things have been checked off on the list. A lot of guilt for not quite seeing this earlier to get him help sooner. Heart break from the emotional side he has had from this. The fear that struck me when I realized he could not really hold his writing utensil, button his pants, put his shoes on,and difficulty dressing himself.

Ashton use to be able to write his letters and now we are working very hard again starting with the letter A. It use to crush me inside when he would wipe my kisses off or be hesitant to give me one. I would say to him " that is okay, mommy knows you love me" and I would give him a hug when he would let me. We are also with the understanding he might have Asperger Syndrome.

So, now our jouney begins with a better understanding of Ashton's world and we can move


forward in helping him. With all the little signs the biggest one for me was Ashton's eating habits. He just really did not eat. Bread, rice, and sometimes peanut butter is his main diet except for chocolate Pedia Sure. He will gag or vomit if he does not like something he ate. He has choked numerous times. Ashton has left the table complaining of the smell of the food on the table. We knew not to fight it and when he asked to go in another room while we ate we understood the smell was too much for him.

For 2 years I have kept his pediatrician updated on his eating to decide if it was picky eater syndrome or something more. Last step was we enrolled Ashton into a Pre K that served meals (no food allowed unless written note from doctor) to see if maybe Ashton would start eating if he saw other kids eat. A total no go! We now have a note from the doctor for outside food.

Also during the past 6 months I paid close attention to his behavior because of a "feeling" that would not go away of something is not quite right. Ashton starts physical and occupational therapy in September. I look forward to this so my husband and I can learn ways to help our son. We have the attitude of what ever we need to do to help our son we are ready and willing to do. This is our challenge with Ashton and like my other 2 children Ashton will always be our gift we are fortunate enough to have come into our lives.

Thank you for this website and the better understanding with our new situation. Please forgive the jumping in topics in my story. Ashton and his 3yr old sister were playing in the room while I was typing this (some distractions happened). Also, thank you for giving this opportunity to get my story out. This the first time I have been ready to do so.

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Mar 29, 2010
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Thank You Lisa
by: Anonymous

Thank you Lisa! I will check it out. Since my journey to help my son, I have opened myself up to a world of knowledge and continue to educate myself every way I can for my son. My son has been diagnosed with PDD NOS along with the Sensory Processing Disorder. Found out autism spectrum and sensory can pretty much go hand in hand. I am fighting the insurance company to cover all therapy needed for my son. He has been denied speech therapy and should of not been! Why is it so hard to get our children help?! But they messed with the wrong mom and I plan on fighting until he receives everything he needs!

Another thing that has helped my son immensely is taking my son to a DAN doctor. Seen a happy improvement since he has been taking his supplements!

My younger daughter is now in OT for sensory issues. She is not a severe as my son and will require minimal therapy. Common in siblings I know. I have both sides with sensory. I have the hyper sensitive and hypo sensitive. With lots of love, prayers, and taking one day at a time we still manage to have happiness every day in our lives!


Mar 29, 2010
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We found some help!
by: Lisa

I could so relate to your beginning comments: 'something just not quite right . . . we always thought he was just his own unique person . . . etc., etc . My daughter seemed 'normal' up to age 4, but I had that intuitive sense something was off. She is now 5 and we have discovered Brain Highways, an educational facility that is helping us with her sensory delays tremendously. I can't praise it highly enough. They may not have a facility in your state, but check out the website, Brainhighways.com. They do have an online program. It is not a magic bullet program, it does take a lot of work, but I can already see how it is helping Frances. it is basically physical therapy to re-pattern her brain, in order to integrate all the sensory information. Best regards, Lisa Meehan

Aug 29, 2009
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Some Ideas
by: Angela

My son is also 4 yo and we are just learning about his SPD. He is an enormously picky eater, needs speech therapy and is the opposite of yours in that he needs constant touch. I would suggest that you read a couple of titles for info - The Out-of-Sync Child, Raising a Sensory Smart Child, and Sensational Kids. I have found them extraordinary.

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