In the above clip, Kramer refuses to eat a sandwich without Dijon mustard. Whether we realize it or not, we all have catered to someone’s preferences at one time or another. For some, this can be a daily battle, especially those with sensory processing issues.
You see, we all process information through our central nervous system. We not only sense taste, smell, sound, touch, and sight, but we must learn how to distinguish different inputs from one another and figure out how much output is necessary to accomplish our goals. In an ideal world, our bodies would respond perfectly to changes in our environment. We would know exactly how much force to use to open a door, write with a pencil, or handle an object without breaking or dropping it. We would love every sight, every smell, every taste, and every sound - but not too much. We’d keep our balance and never be dizzy. Our muscles would allow us to move without wearing out too easily.
However, we don’t live in a perfect world with perfect bodies, and while it is natural to experience both a need for sensory input and sensory overload, some people fight this balance constantly. Occupational therapists refer to it as Sensory Processing Disorder.
I personally recognize myself in this neurological disorder, and to an extent, everyone has their moments. The difficulty in self-regulation is baffling to those who don’t constantly fight for that “just right” feeling in their bodies. Overload causes a “fight or flight” reaction; not getting enough input results in seeking behaviors like bumping, crashing, hitting, kicking, biting, and pushing, Areas that are difficult neurologically are avoided. All of these are “behaviors” and are often viewed as willful defiance and disobedience, when in reality, they are reactions to an upset nervous system.
Parents of children with Sensory Processing Disorder struggle daily to help their child navigate the world we live in. They have to constantly advocate and explain behaviors that though inappropriate, are not ill-intentioned. It is an exhausting job. I’ve done it for my son, and I hope to educate and encourage others to look at children (and sometimes adults!) with a different lens, one of understanding rather than judgment.
As you can probably tell, sensory processing is a special interest of mine. I often feel like I don’t fit in, and I am especially cognizant of the long-lasting effects that come when we are taught to have a negative view of ourselves. As a parent, I empathize with other moms and dads who are tasked with the difficult job of not only raising a child with special needs but also must continually advocate for them, often to people who view their child as “bad”.
I guess you could say I have a soft spot for what I lovingly term the “out-of-the-box” kids. In fact, I really have a heart for all those “exceptional”. So, one of my goals for this blog will be to educate my readers, so that they too can see things with a different “lens” and show compassion.
