Wednesday, June 3, 2009

special needs

The latest in a string of diagnoses, Nathaniel is now in therapy for Sensory Integration Dysfunction Disorder. This diagnosis has been both easier (Aha! I knew there was always something there!) and harder (really? really Lord? One more thing??)

Here is a blurb from Wikipedia about SID:
Sensory Integration Dysfunction (SID, also called sensory processing disorder) is a neurological disorder causing difficulties with processing information from the five senses (vision, auditory, touch, olfaction, and taste), the sense of movement (vestibular system), and/or the positional sense (proprioception). For those with SID, sensory information is sensed, but perceived abnormally. Unlike blindness or deafness, sensory information is received by people with SID; the difference is that information is processed by the brain in an unusual way that may cause distress or confusion.

SID is its own diagnosis, but it can be linked to other neurological conditions, including autism spectrum disorders, attention deficit disorder, dyslexia, Developmental Dyspraxia, Tourette syndrome, multiple sclerosis, and speech delays, among many others. The meaning of SID falls under the DSM-IV criteria for Asperger syndrome. [1]. There is no known cure; however, there are many treatments available.


Brings to mind that along with the SID, Nathaniel suffers from Dyslexia, PTSD, Anxiety Disorder (social and general) and childhood Depression. All this 'qualifies' him as a Special Needs child.

But here is the rub. Isn't Hannah, who is bright, articulate and gifted, also a special needs child? It makes me question normal. I mean doesn't every parent want their special needs child to be normal??

I cant really imagine my kids any differently at this point. And while I may not always be happy about the struggles that they go through I believe that they are both strong, independent, kind and loving kids. What more could a parent want??

Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

2 comments:

Goofiernu said...

Show me a "normal" kid and I will show you a kid that doesn't exist.

Out of ALL the kids I've worked with (somewhere around 500 to 600), not a single one was completely "normal". All had quirks and issues and trials to deal with. There IS no "NORMAL", even for us adults.

Just like there is no "perfect".

Only God and Jesus should get the description of "perfect".

snazzykc said...

Mother's intuition is always good. Well now that you know, there is a next step and different things to try to help him succeed. How awesome that you don't have to do it alone...