Isaac has not been diagnosed with anything nor have I taken him anywhere to be diagnosed. I am not a doctor but I can tell you from doing my own research that I am about 95% sure that Isaac has what is called Sensory Processing Disorder, a/k/a Sensory Integration Dysfunction.
Sensory Processing Disorder or SPD is a neurological disorder causing difficulties with processing information from one or several of the five senses. For those with SPD, sensory information is sensed but perceived abnormally. Unlike blindness or deafness, sensory information is received by people with SPD; the difference is that information is processed by the brain in an unusual way that may cause distress or confusion.
Some symptoms of SPD include:
- Fearful, anxious or agressive with unexpected touch
- Becomes fearful when touched from behind
- Resists friendly or affectionate touch from anyone besides parents or siblings
- Dislikes kisses
- Avoids messy play
- excessively ticklish
- Distressed by clothes rubbing on skin
- Distressed by seams in socks
- Distressed about having hair, toenails or fingernails cut
- May refuse to walk barefoot across grass or sand
- May crave touch, needs to touch everything and everyone
- Frequently hurts other children or pets while playing
- Avoids/dislikes elevators
- Afraid of heights
- In constant motion, can't seem to sit still
- loves being tossed in the air
- Always jumping on furniture, trampolines, etc.
- is a "thrill seeker" and dangerous at times
- Likes sudden quick movements
- Seeks out jumping, bumping activities
- Kicks feet on floor or chair when sitting at a desk or table
- Likes to be tightly wrapped
- Prefers clothes to be tight
- Loves roughhousing
- Frequently falls on floor intentionally
- Loves jumping off furniture from high places
- Frequently hits, bumps or pushes other children
- Seems to do everything with too much force
- Plays with animals with too much force
- Distracted by sound not normally noticed by others
- Often does not respond to verbal cues
- Needs directions repeated often
- Sensitive to bright lights
- Easily distracted to other stimuli in room
- Enjoys playing in the dark
- Difficult getting along with peers
- Difficulty accepting change in routine
- Can't go from sleeping to awake without distress
- Severe/several moodswings throughout the day
Until then we're trying to be as patient as we can and figure out what things work best for Isaac. Isaac is a true blessing to our family. A little more than 3 years ago I thought I'd never be a Mother. Then we were placed with Isaac. The ironic thing is that we received the call about Isaac just 4 days after another expecting mother looked at our profile and chose another family. Within days I was bonded to Isaac and I felt at peace. All the feelings I felt during our wait had vanished instantly. I had even told my family that if I never gave birth to a child I would be fine with that because of the deep love I had for Isaac. I can't explain it, but it didn't take long for me to feel like he was my son and some days I honestly forget he's adopted. Of course you all know how the story continues, God had more exciting plans for our lives with another precious boy. My boys are true miracles in our lives. It's not easy raising them. Each stage in their lives is different. The infant stage was hard because Isaac was still an infant when Caleb came along. Then things got a little easier after they turned 1. Now things are getting a little harder with having a 2 year old and almost 3 year old. They are at very trying stages of growing up but I wouldn't give it up for anything in this world. There's never a dull moment at our house and it's insane sometimes, but it's worth every cent!
