I’m a mom to four awesome children, in a blended
family (his, mine, ours). My journey into parenting and special needs began
after my first child was born. My son has sensory processing disorder (SPD). SPD
is a neurological disorder of the brain that affects the way sensations are
experienced and organized. It is
like a virtual traffic jam in the brain; information from all the senses is
misinterpreted. Children with SPD display atypical reactions to sensory input.
Sadly, they struggle and suffer a loss of quality in their social, personal,
emotional and academic life.
Did you know that all children are born with
immature sensory processing systems? They can all benefit from appropriate
sensory experiences. My son is at the end of that spectrum. All children sit
somewhere on that line. An understanding of the sensory processes has helped me
accommodate all of my four children’s needs and support their healthy
development.
How many of you have children that can’t sit still
at the dinner table? My oldest daughter has this “problem”. We want her to
participate in our mealtime discussions; she just wants to bolt! Research has
shown that kids listen better when they’re moving; which is why telling her to
sit still doesn’t help. A regular, daily dose of physical activity helps meet
her sensory needs so she can focus on participating in our family meals. If she
still has “ants in her pants” during dinner, she’s encouraged to do chair
push-ups and play with (some) fidget toys.
There are many ways to solve a problem; I am
looking forward to joining The Beacon and bringing my unique perspective to the
parenting forum. Send me your parenting questions at
dmastromatteo@sensationalchildren.ca. Together, we can lead our children into
becoming caring, compassionate, respectful adults who are happy, healthy, and
fully themselves.
Supporting children and families by encouraging
art, supporting the senses and leading with the concepts of positive
discipline. My hope is to inspire families to build a solid foundation for
creating the life they envision for their children and family. Visit me at
sensationalchildren.ca
This Article First Appeared in The Beacon (West Vancouver).
This Article First Appeared in The Beacon (West Vancouver).
