My son is 6, he has Sensory Integration and Central Auditory Processing Disorder. We homeschool, so he is with me all the time.
He’s hyper, He’s active, he has no off button. I knew this when I was pregnant with him. He never stopped moving.
He cannot walk anywhere, he has to run. He cannot sit still, ever.
He is “clumsy” and spills a lot, and bumps himself a lot. He can fall off a chair just sitting there. He’ll be eating and sitting like “normal” at the table and then BOOM hits the floor hard. The dysregulation in his nervous system requires he seek input constantly and he sings ALL THE TIME. He has to crash into things and people to stimulate his nervous system.
He pounds the floor hard when he walks for input in his joints…..talks non stop, spins, jumps, etc etc etc. He tipped the kitchen chairs back on two legs constantly and fell from them daily. So now he sits on a chair I brought in from the garden that is more like a stool he can’t tip back , because there is no back to push off of.
He wears me out. He sucks the energy out of me mentally and physically.
Even thought I know all of this and do things to compensate for it like give him extra leeway because I know it is a thing and he is not doing it to annoy… he drives me bananas after 12 hours of him constantly yammering on and on and on and ON…and spinning, and jumping and talking too loud ( no volume control).
The only time the child is ever quiet is when he is asleep and with the nature of his neurodiversities and just simply getting older, he requires less and less sleep.
If he is awake and is silent, I assume he is hurt or sick – aside from getting lost in Legos upstairs (and even then I can still hear him talking to himself), or being wrapped up like burrito in a blanket to sooth himself while watching a movie he adores like Tron, Cars, anything with a dog in it – sick or hurt is the only time he’s quiet when he is awake.
He’s a total ball of energy, and makes me wanna pull out my hair and deafen myself most days.
And then…when he is asleep…I miss it.
Comments
Beth C.
I feel like I could’ve written this. We always joke that T wakes up vibrating and runs until he falls over asleep at night. He’s only still when he’s sick. It drives me mad some days.
But when he’s asleep I miss it too. I miss the hugs, and the songs, and the activity.
CircleTimeMommy
My firstborn son is much like that! Homeschooling him is the best choice for him by far (and I love it), but having him with me all day, everyday is incredibly draining. I tell my husband my ears are tired by lunch most days. I’m so thankful we live in a mild climate so he can go outside most days and expend his energy while I catch my breath!
martianne
My son WAS like this until very recently, but now seems to have periods of complere inactivity (of body, not mind – the mind never seems to have an off switch) I cannot figure out why or what has changed in our environment, so I figure it’s a change inside him. His low arousal state confuses me at times, but I must admit, it a welcome change from constant go.
Karla (Mom2LittleMiss)
Ha! We are sooooo right there with you!
My husband and I joke that Little Miss has 2 speeds: “hyperdrive” and “passed out” — and just like you, I miss that little thing when she’s in passed out mode
Carmen
Wow, I get this. My daughter is 6 and a sensory seeker, too. And after having her home for two weeks at Christmas, I now need some serious alone time! But I can also relate to the peace at night when she’s asleep. I still sneak in and kiss her cheeks (because she’s not really into kisses when she’s awake!) and I can still see that newborn baby I held 6 years ago, and it gives me just a minute to wonder what amazing person she will become in another 6 years, 12 years, 18 years…but I need some alone time to fully appreciate that!
sunshine
Steven, has some of these issues, but his hearing is due to wax build up he is going to a ENT Doctor,
but the talking on & on , even talks himself to sleep, he sings also, never sits still, your a great mom , love you !!!!!
Rebecca Goniwich
My son was like this this when he was young. I was wondering if you had looked into doing Integrated Listening Systems with him. I saw wonderful results with my son who was just like yours and I was able to get him off 4 meds.
Wishing you all the best,
Rebecca