If you have ever read my blog at all, you know my son, Danny, has Sensory Processing Disorder and high-functioning autism.
What you may not know is that Charlotte (Danny’s younger sister) also has SPD. A different form than Danny’s, definitely, but sensory processing issues up the wazoo. And Tommy, the baby? We’re almost certain we’ll soon be scheduling an appointment at the OT for him, as well.
So, yeah. Great news, huh?
So, obviously, SPD and autism and other special needs are typically in the forefront of my mind.
Always there, lurking.
Always.
Maybe even more often than that.
Sometimes I get really sick of it, of the obsessing, and so I try to distract myself. At times this works. Other times, not so much.
It seems pretty futile to me, because you know, these issues are part of our lives and probably always will be. So it makes sense that I think about it a lot, right?
Right?
OK, well maybe there is a limit. Perhaps there is a point when it goes too far, when it becomes a bit of an obsession. When someone, say me, for example, possibly needs an intervention. Someone to tell her to get a grip and let. it. go.
When perhaps, just maybe, it is conceivable that this person is quite possibly thinking about special needs issues too much.
You know, hypothetically speaking, of course.
And I suppose if that were to be the case, there might be some indications, some signs, like say, when this person starts not just diagnosing kids she knows, but actually moves on to characters in books.
Yeah, that would be crazy, wouldn’t it?
Or would it?
Tell me you have not read Amelia Bedelia and just KNOWN that woman has Asperger’s Syndrome.
And David? Oh, c’mon! He totally has ADHD and possibly SPD with maybe some poor impulse control thrown in for good measure.
Fancy Nancy? Well she does walk on her toes quite a bit.
And really, don’t you think that Curious George is just a touch overactive, even for a monkey?
I think it’s pretty obvious that Max from Where the Wild Things Are has some pretty serious issues, like Oppositional Defiance Disorder.
So, I don’t know. You tell me. Do I have a problem?
Comments
Beth C.
I love this post! I also look at children’s characters from books and TV and “diagnose” them. I’ve also been told that I’m obsessed with my son’s SPD, and “don’t all kids have sensory problems, why make a disorder out of it?” (I got that one yesterday)
I’m not obsessed, I’m just an advocate.
Monique H
You forgot Max from Max & Ruby is def on the spectrum!
Tigger has ADHD, eeyore has severe depression, suffice to say you are not the only mom doing this lol
Heather Finnegan
I totally agree-not obsessed just raising awareness
Spectrummy Mummy
Not at all obsessed, you forgot Rapunzel from Tangled, and Luna Lovegood from the Harry Potter series. If you are a fictional character from a book or film that I’ve encountered in the last two years, chances are I’ve diagnosed you. You’re welcome- that will be $900 fictional dollars for the evaluation.
Great post- you’re clearly not on your own here!
Carrieanne
OMG! I do the same thing with tv characters. I mean, the obvious one is Sheldon from The Big Bang Theory; but don’t tell me that Brennan from Bones or Patrick Jane from the Mentalist aren’t Aspies! My best friend (Parent to two Aspie daughters) and I make a game out of it!
myra
Just wait till you’re teaching again- you’ll be doing the same to your students.
I personally don’t see it everywhere I look, but it pops up all over the place from friends, acquaintances, people I’m in contact with. And now family.
Life is a kind of sensory adventure.
Sheryl
Curious George and Max are my sons favorites! he relates to them. My son IS Curious G, means well but curiosity and some OCD triggered by his SPD get him into all sorts of mischief.
Ada Marie
Patty… Love your post! As long as you can find the humor in life YOU WILL SURVIVE the challenges!
So glad you can and DO look beyond the moment and share your clever insights with others!
Julie
LOL – My latest blog post is about super heros having sensory processing disorder (hello, super tight, seemless, tagless clothing).
Patty
Yes, I did forget Luna Lovegood and many others (I can’t believe I have never actually seen an episode of Max and Ruby). It makes me laugh that I am obviously not alone in this!
Carrieanne, I totally agree about Big Bang Theory and Bones! I think that’s partly why I like those shows so much! Julie, I’m going to have to check out your blog post. It sounds hysterical!
Ada, thanks! You’re the best. If it’s one thing we’re pretty good at in this family, it’s laughing. I think that has saved us hundreds of headaches!
Schooling in the Sun
This is great! It’s so nice to find others who share my sense of humor!
lucille
i really needed this laugh!!!!!!!! know won nows the hardship of having a specail needs child, so of course its in our heads all day !!!!!! NO UR NO T TAKING IT TOO FAR
lucille
LAUGHING AT MY COMMENT ABOVE IT LOOKS LIKE I NEED SOME REST MYSELF I SPELLED ALL WRONG LOLL :s
Carol W
Hehe…agreed on Amelia Bedelia…my son’s an Aspie, and I spotted that right away.