Inside you’ll find get answers to the question, “Can a child grow out of sensory processing disorder?”
It’s a surreal experience; telling friends and family that something is wrong with your child.
When my oldest was diagnosed with sensory processing disorder, I’d give people my typical spiel.
I’d tell them everyone has sensory needs, but my son’s brain doesn’t process that input the way most other people do, so he finds himself “flying blind” on occasion, desperate for some feedback from the outside world. His special needs affect everyday life more than you could ever imagine.
There’d be a long, awkward pause, and then, the eventual question,
“Well, will he outgrow it?”
As a sensory parent, I’m sure you’ve wondered the same. What does the future hold for your child?
As much as I’d like to give you a definite answer, the truth is, I don’t know.
But here’s what I do know.
Communication will Increase
Obviously a five year old has a larger vocabulary than a two year old. Just image how well an adult will be able to articulate and describe their needs to others. When my son was a toddler, the only way he knew to express himself was screaming, crying and yelling. Now, at the ripe old age of five, while his first instict is still to blubber, he can now be coaxed to verbalize what he’s feeling and usually what caused the meltdown in the first place. This window into his world has been a game changer in helping calm him and prevent incidents.
Coping Methods will Mature
When sensory kids need extra input, they often get desperate and resort to unacceptable habits. They might flap their hands, start literally bouncing off walls, chew their fingers till they bleed. With time, most kids will replace this input methods with more socially acceptable ones like chewing gum, going to the gym, or tapping their foot. Depending on severity, adults may still struggle with compulsive desires to get input in “annoying” ways.
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The key is to help your children as their growing up to replace one bad habit with a slightly better one. My son is a chewer. Biting his nails until there was blood running down his forearms was unacceptable. So we got him a chewie. Now he’s learned to get those needs met via chewy waterbottles, gum, carrots; whatever gets his jaw working hard.
Understanding of Their Needs will Grow
In the beginning, you as the parent have to become the SPD expert. Your child is being inundated with input that they just can’t handle. They’re overwhelmed with unknowns and you’re the one trying to bring order to their chaos. But with time and training, you’ll begin to educate your kids about their own needs.
They’ll be able to see and recognize when they’re getting a little “off”, way before you ever will. They’ll no longer be perplexed by the world around them and how their body reacts to it. They’ll be equipped to help themselves.
I don’t want to be dismissive of your worries. I have them too, and they make my breath catch in my throat daily.
My son is not an adult. He’s barely a grade-schooler. I don’t know how this will all turn out. But I have seen him change for the better and I pray it will continue.
I have personal adult friends who have SPD. Some you’d never be able to tell. Others are clearly fighting to fit this world’s crazy mold. It’s given me great insight into my own parenting.
I’m not saying they won’t have SPD. But I am saying they will thrive.
Because they had you for a parent.
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Julie is a frazzled mom of three tornadoes. As a dorky second-generation homeschooler, she writes about learning and play, natural living, special needs parenting and matters of the heart. She serves an astounding God that radically saved her.
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RebeccA says
Thank you for this post!! Our 4 year old was just diagnosed with SPD, and we’re just beginning to see an OT. This week had me at my wits end, as he hit his teacher for the first time :0 Just knowing this can change, he can get better, it may not cripple him – all the questions that have been waking me up at 3am – is so encouraging. SPD is all new to me, as is Officially Reaching the End of My Patience – oh my!
Julie says
Rebecca, that’s SO hard. It’s a roller coaster for sure! But in the long run, things will start looking up. At least you know what it is now! Glad you found this community! Julie
Full Spectrum Mama says
Love this post – so down to earth and honest. Positive too! I also think we as parents have so many more resources now – I know my child will do better than I did!!!!
A fellow dork,
Full Spectrum Mama
Julie says
Aw thanks! Yes, I really hope it was encouraging!
Madison says
I was diagnosed with SPD when I was in first grade. It was the early 2000s and SPD wasn’t widely accepted. It wasn’t until my Senior year of high school that I met anyone else with SPD, and even then they were 5 and 6 year olds. As a college student it warms my heart to see a growing community of people who are supporting SPD. Thank you for all you do!
Julie says
Madison, your comment couldn’t have come at a better time. Some tech stuff with this blog and a course I created for sensory parents has had me in tears today. Thank you for reminding me that I’m doing this all for REAL people. It must have been very hard to grow up feeling so very different. Keep speaking out and helping people understand! Wishing you all the best!
JoAnn Bailey says
My 7 year old son has been diagnosed with sensory sensitive feeding by a children’s therapy counselor for speech. They recommended speech and occupational therapy twice a week. How did you help your son?
Julie says
Hi JoAnn, I’m going to send you a more detailed email, but I’ll give you the basics here. Yes, we did OT for a little while but it was financially crushing. My mom is an OTA so she basically taught ME how to understand SPD and get my son the input he needs, also how to handle tantrums and their aftermath, how to structure our day so we have the best chance of it going smoothly. I have an Ecourse for parents just like you called Sensory Parenting 101. If you’re interested, sign up to get my FREE sensory activities printable, and you get a discount of 50% off the course price as a new reader discount!
Also, if your main focus is feeding, this course is exceptional! http://classes.yourkidstable.com/courses/mealtime-works?ref=1ae02e (Affiliate) That should get you started in the right direction. Hope that helps! Julie
Dana says
Lovely post .. I am sure they will overcome SPD and I have just published my book about it …..xxx
Kim George says
Hi need some help. We have a 7 yr old who has sensory disorder and he is having trouble staying focused and on point at school. I have heard trying omega 3 for him what do you think? We do keep his daily routine the same we have him in karate. He has separation issues with us especially with me. Just don’t know what else to do for him love him to the moon and back just need some help. Thank you very much
Christina says
Hi,
I’m pretty sure I had a form of SPD as a child. I hated tags in my clothes, did not like to wear jeans because I didn’t like they way they fit me (I preferred cotton pants instead), was terrified of a ringing phone, and tended to fear ringing doorbells, too. To this day, I’m not sure I can say I’ve necessarily outgrown it, but some things have improved. For instance, tags in clothes don’t bother me and I’ll happily wear jeans as long as they are the right style and type. But I’m still to this day annoyed by phones and doorbells. I can only handle so much noise before it starts to annoy me and need a daily quiet time to keep myself sane. Of course, part of that is probably related to being a mom of two little ones myself 🙂
Of course, 30+ years ago, nobody really knew what SPD is. My 11-year-old nephew has it, though.
I started to investigate SPD because over the past year, I’ve noticed my daughter continuing to bite on things even after her six-year molars came in. My daughter is also very active and has majorly emotional reactions to things. I can’t quite tell if it’s really SPD in her or just her being her. Thoughts?