National Sensory Awareness Week October 25-31

Odd Behaviors in Children May Mean a Medical Illness Rather Than a Disobedient Child

Sensory Integration Dysfunction (SI), also known as Sensory Processing Disorder is a peculiar condition. Though SI has been among us for many years it has steadily gained attention and is only now being widely received. Last year Halloween was declared as the first national sensory awareness day. Success was so great an entire week is being dedicated this year.

Though everyone is familiar with the five senses, few are aware of the extraordinary impact they have on our lives. My awareness journey began when my son Colton, now 13, was diagnosed. As is the case with a great deal of sensory kids, Colton was born prematurely. He spent 28 days in the hospital after birth but once released stayed extremely healthy, showing no outward signs of what was happening within.

Colton had delayed development but no one was concerned because he was a preemie. Typically preemies develop slowly but eventually catch up to their full-term peers. Colton had an oddity about him, that when younger was viewed as strange but often humorous. He walked on his tip toes, pacing back and forth and often flapping his hands. He had an unsettling ability to see things in clouds, pictures and even grass and dirt patterns that appeared clear as a bell once he explained them. He showed a strong preference for small toys and carried them everywhere. He couldn't sleep with a pillowcase or sheets on his bed. A habit he's only now starting to overcome.

When he was four I set him on a swing and unwittingly set into motion a response I never dreamt. He began screaming and crying as if I were trying to kill him. He flailed his arms and legs out becoming extremely combative. It was a devastating scene that haunts me to this day. He refused to even sit in my lap and swing. The only use he had for his swing set was to take two small sticks and bang on the bottom of the slide. Actually, going down the slide was off limits as well.