Nicholas has always been really oversensitive to loud noises, strong smells and to anything wet on his hands or the feeling of sand and grass on his skin. He can’t handle certain food textures in his mouth or water during bath time. He’s scared of the vacuum and doesn’t like tags on his clothes. But it’s getting better.

Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) was one of the first diagnoses Nicholas received by his occupational therapist (OT) at eight months old. SPD is when the brain has trouble receiving and responding information that comes from the senses. Sometimes it effects his balance and movement. When these things are off, it can can make Nicholas anxious and uncoordinated.

Around the same time he was also diagnosed with low muscle tone called Hypotonia which is why he was behind with his motor skills. Low muscle tone is different from strength. Nicholas has always been very strong, but the tone of his muscles are weak when they are at rest. At the time of diagnosis we were working on sitting and eating, but his sensory system got in the way.

It was hard for Nicholas to sit or be on his hands and knees. His hands were very sensitive to touch and sometimes didn’t even like me touching his hands. His OT explained one time that things like grass or lotion on his skin could possibly feel like sand paper or glass. He also struggled with eating and sitting in the highchair. It’s possible he didn’t like the smell of baby food or the taste. He was never comfortable with food. Even today when my daughter Grace eats baby food, Nicholas will gag. It’s the only food he gags at anymore. It’s something he’s never been able to handle.

Nicholas used to have a really hard time going to new places. He had anxiety and would throw up when going somewhere he’d never been before. He really likes routine. This is something he’s gotten better with and now doesn’t mind going to different places. He loves being in the car and going places as a family.

Although Nicholas is oversensitive to certain things, he’s also a sensory seeker. He likes putting plastic toys in his mouth or will stare at the lights. He will seek out visual stimulation by kicking the blinds or auditory stimulation by opening and closing doors and cabinets. He also likes to hang upside down.

Time and therapy has helped immensly with Nicholas’s sensitivities. He can now play in the sand and scoot around in grass without complaint. Being in a crowded and loud room isn’t difficult for him anymore. Nicholas used to take a lot of sensory breaks where he’d have to leave the room for a quieter place. He doesn’t need that at all anymore.

He can be around food without throwing up. He can sit on his own, is exploring being on his hands and knees, and can walk with support. He’s come so far and has worked so hard. SPD and Hypotonia are conditions that he won’t just “grow out of.” But with the right therapy, we will give Nicholas the best quality of life to conquer his sensitivities.