31/05/2022
There are things that Leo finds tougher than neurotypical children. That doesn’t change because we are on holiday.
We are in the midst of a Sensory Processing Disorder assessment - something we are learning about but have not explicitly discussed with Leo. Children & adults with SPD struggle to process more than one sense at a time.
The world can feel very overwhelming & it can be exhausting for him. A change in routine & surroundings can lead to heightened sensory sensitivity. But this boy loves to challenge himself.
At times, Leo struggles with water. Whether rain lands on his skin, or water splashes on him from the shower or during bath time. On this trip, Leo has braved his fears & spent so much time enjoying the pool which is an absolute joy to behold.
Along with hearing & taste - Leo’s intro-receptor sense is the one he struggles with the most. It leads to him believing that even the smallest of “injuries” is far worse than it is. He cannot bear things touching his skin, to the point of retching when using hand soap or having any cream/gel etc on his skin. The start of the pandemic & the increased need to wash/sanitise our hands is what led us to realising that things we thought were “Leo-isms”, were perhaps more than that.
Leo understands why we put suncream on & the need to protect his skin. But in the 3 mins it takes for me to apply it he sobs, shouts & shakes. Music is a great distraction… which soothes his senses in many situations.
There are tools, techniques & ways we can support Leo through this. It isn’t something I’ve talked about on social media because I am acutely aware that in the grand scheme of life - there are many people going through so much.
However, it is all subjective & I am a firm believer in the idea that talking about things helping to break down barriers, educate & raise awareness (something I am so proud of so many of my amazing friends doing via their platforms).
Our beautiful, sensitive, musical, empathetic & loving boy has taught me so much in his short time on this earth. So it feels only right that I do my own learning to ensure we support him in the best way possible.
💜💜💜
