Hi! I am a child therapist, and from my experience, kids have an easier time understanding their differences if you talk to them about it upfront from the beginning and normalize it. You can explain that everyone has things that are easy for them, and other things that are hard and that they need more help with. Give examples!!! - sports that challenge you, things you can't reach on Thr grocery shelf, sister needing glasses, a relative on insulin or oxygen, read books about people with disabilities who succeed in spite of them, etc. This normalizes this and teaches compassion. Tell them that their brain has a hard time with sounds or lights or movements, and that sometimes they need extra help (therapy, blankets, calming activities, etc) to deal with those. Talk about things that are easy for them and their strengths as well!!! When they get overwhelmed or have trouble with an activity, tell them that their brain needs a little extra help and use a strategy. Model this with your own emotions or limitations: wow, I am feeling angry that that car cut me off. Im gonna take some deep breaths to calm down. Or - baby brother can't reach that and needs extra help. Let's get him a stool to stand on. If they hear about it like this, it becomes part of who they are and part of humanity. Everyone has struggles and limitations; spd is just more visible than some things. Also highlight strengths and perseverance - you really were brave to use your blanket to calm down when that loud noise started to make you feel panicked. Teach and use and model feeling words! The thing is, children know when they are different. You don't have to tell them. But talking about it openly and as normally as if it were talking about the weather takes away the shame and confusion. They understand and become more confident. This takes away some of the power of others who gawk or are rude. Blessings to you. He is lucky to have such a caring momma.