Pook has gone through some significant changes recently. Some have been profound, both good and negative. First, Pookie is becoming aware of his own emotions. He's finally feeling emotions and being able to articulate them. However, the emotions seem to be coming from events that happened weeks before.
Pook also is becoming aware of the fact that sometimes he hits and kicks. It seems he has two levels of "meltdown"...one when he realizes in the moment that he is in the process of hitting/kicking/throwing/etc and another where he has no recollection at all. With the first one, he says that he doesn't want to hit/kick but that his body does it anyway. Although this highly frustrates and upsets him, I feel it's a tremendous achievement and will aide us in helping him achieve his full potential.
Pookie is also now aware of various ways that he differs from others. Unfortunately, he's having a very hard time accepting those differences on top of his overwhelming and seemingly sudden emotions. His response has been that he wants to die. I can't begin to express how scary it is to have a 5 year old tell you this. I am completely overwhelmed and out of my league on how to handle this. However, I am staying focused that his emotions and thoughts are the ones important right now and that God will carry him through this. We are also blessed that Pookie has a great team of specialists he works with.
All this brings us to the latest possibility regarding diagnosis. For those of you who know us or read the blog, you may know that Pook was diagnosed with Sensory Integration Dysfunction/Sensory Processing Disorder at a very young age. He is very sensitive to sounds, lights, etc. At the same time, there are many types of physical stimulation he craves constantly which explains his always climbing, jumping, spinning, and holding vibrating objects to his ears. He's also been diagnosed as having Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, however we are optimistic that this is directly related to his sensory issues and will not be a problem as his therapy progresses.
We previously felt that Asperger's would end up being Pook's "final" diagnosis. Yet the neurologist wants us to take Pook to see an audiologist that specializes in Central Audio Processing Disorder. I've done quite a bit of research and was surprised to find that between the Sensory Processing Disorder and the Audio Processing Disorder, all of Pook's symptoms are listed (except the OCD). Each of these disorders have very specific therapies outlined that will help Pook reach his full potential.
To read a full list of symtpoms of Sensory Integration Dysfunction/Sensory Processing Disorder, please go here: Checklist of Symptoms
If you have a child aged 5 or older that has Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD), or is typically developing and you would like to participate in an online research study, please click here: Cambridge Psychology (You will be entered to win an Amazon gift card upon completion)
If you would like to read about the differences between Sensory Processing Disorder and Autism, please read here: Autism and SPD
If you would like to read more about Central Auditory Processing Disorder, you can find information at the following links:
http://www.ldonline.org/article/8056
http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/voice/auditory.asp
http://www.asha.org/public/hearing/disorders/understand-apd-child.htm
Please remember that it is very difficult for individuals who have "invisible" diabilities. Take the time to get to know someone before judging them. A child screaming and clawing at others in a store.......a woman in a wheelchair you saw walking perfectly fine the day before......a teen that bumps into everyone as she walks past never saying "excuse me"......a man who refuses to look at you when talking.
There are to many "invisible" disabilities to list here. I am sure that at least one of you knows someone with an invisible disability, whether you know it or not. Don't judge others.....instead reach out to them.
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