Hello, I am finally embracing the oddness called "ME." You guys can call me Sama. :]

I am that quiet hermit that prefers to be home, alone. The one who you invite all the time to gatherings but never shows up. I'm the one who sounds like a rambling know it all at the dinner table. The one who wears the same pair of pants everyday. Still wont change out of them even though the knees has holes. The one who wont wear socks, even in the middle of a blizzard. The one where cig smoke, the smell of bacon and body odors will instantly make me want to throw up. Not to mention all the other sensory issues. I am just the complex odd ball who must live a certain way and sometimes my anxiety is the dictator in my life.

I am a 29 year old single mother to four beautiful highly intelligent children with the umbrella of spd/aspergers. I've been blessed with a child that is just like me and no we do not have that so called "genetic marker for autism, etc." I grew as a non-typical neuro baby being excessively delayed in almost every area of dev. My mom would joke that the only thing I was advanced in was, screaming. The doctors told my mom I would never walk, talk or take care of myself. Here I am 29 years old and I am fully functional, I can communicate freely with some hesitation. I have a slightly high IQ, common sense... maybe not so much. I am a author, a professional home chef(notice the irony?), artist and mom. I will be getting married next year (relationship are a whole 'nother ball game) and I think I am doing a good job as a parent, they're are alive and well behaved.

My six year old daughter has spd as well, I knew when she was an infant she already had sensory issues. As time went on she didn't hit her milestones and I was that mom who being told that her daughter would never be able to function properly and that I should be prepared to have her live with me the rest of her life. Perhaps she will but she's bright, full of energy and a big ol' ball of stims. She's high functioning until she's overwhelmed and then the fun times begin.

I hope I've found a place where I can "fit in." That's the one thing that's held me back in society, not fitting in. Even I am the butt of jokes amongst my friends and family. So much so I'd just rather sit at home.

I hope to make new friends!

Welcome! There is much support, encouragement and information on this forum. Keep an open mind and be aware sometimes you may read things that you don't agree with, but we all try to keep it friendly and upbeat and have the best of intentions. I look forward to hearing about your experiences and the wisdom you've learned in the process.

What were the signs your daughter had it as an infant? I am a bit concerned that my baby will end up like me. She gets touched out fast. I love baby wearing but HAD to get her a stroller as she can honestly not deal with being held out of the house.

Hi Sama,

I'm also new

Since starting on this journey I've wondered if I have mild SPD. I never managed a group of friends or crowds, I can only deal with 1 friend at a time. I cannot stand chalk or some crayons that feel like chalk. Nail files give me goosebumps. I hate people shouting - especially kids, which makes it very hard at the moment with 2 toddlers in the house, one of whom screams a LOT.

I have never liked dance music, just couldn't get into the clubbing scene (strobe lights + deafening music + lots of people I don't know)...

moonlightblonde - we suspect my middle daughter has some sensory issues as well. She didn't sleep longer than 10 minutes at a time as a small baby, had a lot of trouble breast feeding and had tactile defensive feet which the Paed refused to look into until she hit the 18month milestone and was still not walking or standing and would NOT put her feet flat on any surface. She still hates water on her head/face, is a VERY fussy/picky eater. As a small baby she just seemed quite serious and almost sad at times - don't get me wrong, she was a generally happy baby and still makes us laugh.

would brushing not help - or if not brushing, a vigorous drying off after a bath? I have no experience with this but it's listed as part of the sensory diet for my son... so I wonder.