IMPORTANT! FUTURE HORIZONS HAS CANCELED THE CONFERENCE FOR NOW
On the way out to run some errands, my garage door opener decided to get a little moody. It’s an older door with the original clicker, so knowing precisely where to push is key to getting the clunky rectangular box to cooperate. I sat in the driveway, tried all the tricks in the book, but nothing worked. Timing is everything, and as I was in a rush to beat the next winter storm, I closed the garage manually and went on my merry way.
On the way out to run some errands, my garage door opener decided to get a little moody. It’s an older door with the original clicker, so knowing precisely where to push is key to getting the clunky rectangular box to cooperate. I sat in the driveway, tried all the tricks in the book, but nothing worked. Timing is everything, and as I was in a rush to beat the next winter storm, I closed the garage manually and went on my merry way.
Then it hit me.
Nova recently tweeted
a quote from Thomas Edison, which hit the nail on the head: “When you have
exhausted all possibilities, remember this; you haven’t.”
The answer was
right in front of me. Try replacing the battery.
Duh.
Guess what? It
worked.
Isn’t that true
about so many things in life? We assume addressing problems the same way will
always solve them. If that approach doesn’t work, then the problem “must” be
faulty equipment. In my case, I assumed the garage door opener finally bit the
dust (not an unreasonable hypothesis, due to its age). At home or school we may
blame the lack of discipline for difficulties with the kids, when the root of
the problem, such as an underlying illness, is overlooked. Thankfully, we can choose
to shift our perspective and remember Edison’s quote. Have we truly explored
all possibilities?
As my daughter
comes into her own, it’s interesting to discover the things that she is
passionate about. I’m not talking Special Interests here. Heaven knows she’s always had those in
spades. Disney films. Animals. Now the
Hunger Games saga. What I’m talking about here are things she cares deeply about
and wants to help others understand. One such thing is Sensory Processing
Disorder (SPD).
Sensory Processing
Disorder affects how others interpret and react to stimuli, and this reaction
varies tremendously. Some can detect scents or sounds from what seems like a
mile away. For others, it can be lighting, touch and so on that make life a
richer though more treacherous journey. No matter how each individual
experiences SPD, the effects on that person are very real. Unfortunately, this
can result in difficult situations. During this winter that has no end, it may
mean getting off the bus in sub-zero temps with no coat, no gloves, no hat
because, “Mom, I don’t feel cold, so why do I need to wear these annoying
things?” Other times, it can lead to behavior issues in the classroom, which
are often addressed using the same old methods, instead of identifying the root
of the problem.
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| Dr. Temple Grandin used with permisson |
Some with sensory
sensitivities will work to avoid situations by placing hands over ears (or
eyes). Others will melt into tears. Some will have outbursts while others hide
under a table. Just as triggers vary, so do the reactions to them and the
personalities behind them. The concept of poor discipline as the root cause of
these behaviors really has very little, if anything, to do with these responses
to stimuli. Dr. Temple Grandin
addresses sensory concerns regularly. In fact, a quote on her website from her
book, “The Way I See it”, sums it up eloquently: "I have
been talking and writing about sensory problems for over 20 years, and am still
perplexed by many people who do not acknowledge sensory issues and the pain and
discomfort they can cause. A person doesn't have to be on the autism
spectrum to be affected by sensory issues."
Kristina now
tells her story, herself, of the time she was in elementary school at yet
another way-too-loud-for-her assembly in the gym. After years of holding it in
and covering her ears as tightly as possible, she discovered legs work better
than hands in removing herself from a sensory onslaught.
She took off.
You can imagine
the reaction of the teachers – and the following calls home. As parents, we
were so very thankful for the individual who provided gentleness, patience and understood
she was in immense pain and reacting to it. We remain discouraged by another
who chose to scold Kristina and interrogate us about our home life (the
standard approach), appearing reluctant to accept the reality of SPD and how
that was the underlying reason for her behavior. To be true, poor behavior is
an issue in our schools that does not appear to be resolved any time soon. But
how we approach behavioral problems makes or breaks the child. We cannot afford
to take a “one size fits all” approach.
As I meet and
speak with families of children on the Autism Spectrum, one things rings clear;
many feel their child is sorely misunderstood, leaving the family to blame for
pretty much everything. It’s heartbreaking. It all boils down to understanding
the root, doesn’t it? In fact, Dr. Jim Ball, Ph.D., the lead speaker at the upcoming
conference in Raleigh says, “Sensory issues are often the ‘elephant in the
classroom’ because the behavior problems are visible but many do not understand
some of the major causes so they can be addressed in a way different from those
that are caused by lack of discipline.”
 |
| Photo by Julie Clark (copyright 2014) |
Oddly enough, my
husband, who understood (intellectually) our daughter’s sensory struggles,
became personally familiar with this issue after his brain bleed. (You can read
about that HERE.) He's always known it, respected it, but hasn't always
understood it. After his stroke, he could relate. Sounds were impossible, and
talking on the phone was not an option. Lights that flickered and flashed were
unbearable. He commented that he always knew certain sensory stimuli were hard
for Kristina, but now he "knew" (experientially) it. And it made
certain places and situations very difficult to deal with. In fact, trying to
convince others he could not physically handle phone conversations was
virtually impossible, and downright irritated some individuals. But it made my
husband incredibly sympathetic to his daughter, as well as her struggle to
convey these difficulties to others.
One thing I love
about my publisher, Future Horizons, is their commitment to understanding - to education
and improving the lives of those on the Autism Spectrum. This also includes
those with SPD (including many who do not have autism). They accomplish this
work through publications, as well as amazing, practical conferences. On Friday,
April 11, 2014, Future Horizons will be in Raleigh, NC, presenting a Behavior
Strategies Conference. I absolutely cannot wait! The speakers are Dr. Jim Ball
and Maria Wheeler, M.Ed. They are two of
our nation’s leading authorities on behavior problems, and will share
strategies for helping those whose sensory issues impact behavior, among other
things. This is beneficial for both teachers and caregivers, and I’m excited
learn their insight. If you’d like more
information, please go to fhautism.com, or click HERE for the direct link.
Have you been to
one of their conferences? No? My sister, who is a Special Ed (EC) teacher, speaks
highly of the one she attended, saying it was, by far, the most practical and
interesting she had been to, providing her with tools she could immediately
take back to the classroom with her. I am thrilled that the focus of this
conference is behavior in light of sensory stimuli. It’s sorely needed.
And, no, Dr.
Grandin won’t be at this one, but it will still be fabulous, as they always are.
If you can make it, there is plenty of time to sign up. I’ll be there, too, so
please stop by and say, “Hi!” I’d love to see you there!
~Julie
