Our Busy Bee Take Two

While waiting impatiently for Emme's appointment I began researching like a crazy person. I started coming across links and articles about sensory disorders. The symptoms fit Emme to a T. It was apparent Emme did not have ADHD, but she could have a sensory disorder that is easily confused for it.

I learned the the difference between hypo-sensitive and hypersensitive. Emme fit the hypo signs which can include: hyperactivity, high tolerance to pain, drooling, touching/slamming into everything, and eating inedible objects.

Emme had her first evaluation in January. She passed all their tests with flying colors. In fact the evaluator had to take a moment to figure out what to test her on next because she had never gotten so far before. They didn't bring an occupational therapist with them or do any testing for sensory issues so we had to set up a another evaluation the next week.

During the second part of Emme's eval, I filled out a questionnaire while they played with Emme. She loved the attention, but got easily bored with their games and kept trying to get in their papers and bags instead. It was pretty easy to see her attention span was about zero. The OT explained that Emme has some severe sensory issues and they suggested we set up an eval through Primary Children's Hospital and also through the Children's Center which deals more with behavioral issues.

That same day was our appointment with Emme's pediatrician. I was so scared she would tell me I was being a crazy mom, but she did the exact opposite. She agreed that Emme was showing behavior that was not appropriate at her age and validated that we were doing the right thing. She asked if I was okay and how I was holding up. She got me resources in case the others fell through. Most of all she told me I was doing a good job. That meant a lot.

On the way home I got an overwhelming feeling that we were doing the right thing and I was not fighting in vain. I felt a weight off my shoulders as I realized there were many others out there to help my child. It felt special to feel the spirit as it was confirmed I was led in the right direction.

The OT at Primaries could see right away that Emme was a sensory seeker. There were a ton of new toys, but Emme was only interested for seconds before she was on to something new. I learned a lot during her eval and her OT even shared that she is also a sensory seeker. It was nice to hear from an adult what it feels like to have a sensory disorder.

So what does Emme feel like you ask? Well we are still learning as every child has different sensory problems, but so far we believe that Emme doesn't feel as strongly as others do therefore she is constantly seeking to fulfill her sensory needs. Thus, hypo sensitive kids are nicknamed sensory seekers. It is almost like Emme's balance, touch, and taste are always off so she is constantly working to get back on track i.e. grabbing, jumping, spinning, and eating everything.

It is unknown what causes sensory disorders, but I have learned we didn't do anything to cause it. Sometimes it just happens. Plus, it is what it is. There's no reason to dwell on the past while we are working to change her future.

We now see an occupational therapist through the early intervention school twice a month, and soon we will be seeing an occupational therapist through Primary Children's quite often. We are still waiting for our appointment through the Children's Center as they were booked out for months. I can't wait to learn from them and have heard amazing things. Emme has already changed from when we started and if anything I think Gregg and I understand her more which makes her a happier girl.

Emme is now awake from her nap so I am done for now, but I will keep updates about her therapy in the future if only for myself.

Our Busy Bee

By the time Emme could crawl she has been a mover and a shaker. We realized early on that she was busier than most kids. We didn't really worry because she was so little and some kids are just busier than others.

When she starting walking our lives turned into a constant chase. We baby proofed our house more and more as she grew, but going to others houses was usually pure chaos (still is) as they were not "Emme" proofed.

We read books on disciplining toddlers and very little stuck with her. It was almost like the choice was never hers to hold still or obey. She had this constant need to touch and put everything in her mouth. Her shirts were/are always soaked in drool and we sensed it had nothing to do with teeth. She's always been rough with other kids and animals and even herself. The list goes on and on.

It didn't take much for me to start feeling little impressions that Emme had some differences from most kids her age. I started to vocalize to other people to see if what Emme was doing was normal and the biggest answer I got was "that's a two year old for you." Most considered me a first time mom that didn't realize how hard raising a toddler is or one of those crazy moms that make up invisible sicknesses for their kids. Some were understanding, but knew as little as I did so we were at a loss together.

Eventually, bad turned to worse and there were some incidences that happened that I could no longer deny something was wrong. I called a friend whose son has ADHD. We had a long great talk and she discussed how I could get help. I called my pediatrician and I could tell the secretary thought I was absolutely NUTSO for thinking my two year had ADHD. They were THREE months booked out. I wanted to cry. Plus, I thought maybe I WAS crazy, maybe I just wasn't cut out to be a mom, maybe I wasn't trying hard enough to discipline her, maybe her pediatrician isn't going to believe me and think I'm the worst mom ever because I can't control my two year old. You get the idea. Doubt was my best friend and failure was my only thought.

One particular bad day Emme was completely out of control. Even though I was two steps behind her she was into everything and breaking whatever she could. I couldn't keep up with her. About the time she was ripping up my sheet music and I started to bawl. I could tell in Emme's eyes she couldn't control herself which made me bawl harder. I decided to take matters into my own hands. A friend had a daughter in an early intervention school as a non-delayed student and she had told me that a lot of kids there were like Emme. I got the phone number and called. The lady on the phone was the most nicest understanding person I've ever come across. I cried so hard I could barely get my words out. She was the first person to act like I wasn't a spazoid and was there to help. Someone could really help my child! There was hope. She was in the wrong school district so she got me all the info I needed, but told me she would help if Emme wasn't approved of early intervention services. I was an emotional wreck and embarrassed of my blubbery phone call so I waited until the next day to call the right school. I found out later that the lady I talked to cried for ten minutes after our phone call because she felt so bad for me. Either she literally is the nicest person ever or I was really that pathetic. I think it was both.

The next day I called the right school and a few days later someone called me to schedule an evaluation and go over my concerns. They were a few months booked out, but still sooner than my pediatrician so I felt I had gotten somewhere.

...Story continued another day...

**We love our little Emme. She is vibrant, happy, outgoing, funny, and just plain darling. We are blessed to have her and would never change a thing. I never want her to be known as a bad kid or for people to think that we aren't more than thrilled she is our little girl. Anyone who has met her can see how intelligent and amazing she is. This is not me complaining about her or venting my feelings as a mom. This is me telling our story so if others are experiencing what we are they know how to find help.