Tuesday, December 9, 2014

SPD, ASD, ABC, DEFD....


Please note: this post is part of the Sensory Blog Hop, which is sponsored by the fabulous Jenny (what a great name!) over at The Sensory Spectrum and The Jenny Evolution. I accepted the invitation to participate as a way to get more exposure for FSM, but it has become a wonderful, inclusive, helpful community for all us SPD Blog Hoppers. Please do click on the links below for fresh and inspiring perspectives and meet some very worthwhile new pals.



When my little fella started seventh grade this fall, I very nearly had a nervous breakdown

However, it seems to be going very well..socially...which is...a surprise.

And then there are his grades. Which are terrible.

You see, his ASD and SPD are a big part of his DEFD and this causes a decline in his ABCs.

Get it? No? Please allow me to break it down:


ASD officially stands for Autism Spectrum Disorder. I don’t like “Disorder,” so I end the phrase with Difference. G is on the Autism Spectrum. He’s autistic in the way that used to be officially called Asperger’s.

Among other things, this means G has challenges in the social realm.

SPD officially stands for Sensory Processing Disorder. I do the same here, calling it Sensory Processing Differences. G has sensory processing differences, as most people on the spectrum do, as many people in his biological family – including me – do…

Among other things, this means that G is extraordinarily neurologically and sensorially sensitive in certain ways, while in other ways he may seem “undersensitive.” Put another way, the systems of people with SPD tend to pay more or less attention to feelings and sensory input than is “normal.”
Each person with SPD is different. (Sometimes when one area seems “undersensitive” it is because an individual with SPD is already overwhelmed from “oversensitivity” in another area!)

DEFD stands for Determinants of Executive Function and Dysfunction. Executive Function – the ability to process and enact a series of thoughts and actions in an effective way -  has never been a strong point for G. This fall, his already low levels of EF took a major dive.

So did his grades – his ABCs, if you will.

The way I see it, these acronyms and what they represent in my G (and others) are all intimately connected: Each person has a given amount of energy. When it takes More energy just to function socially, resources available for other aspects diminish.

I figure there’s only so much G to go around, and, currently, it’s almost entirely being utilized in this area of Social Skills -- which has been a lifelong challenge for him.

                       Figure I – Allocation of Energy Pie Chart                



He's enjoying seventh grade (?!)  – and “extremely popular.” I should note that from what I can see and from what G tells me (limited!) this all seems to be happening on G’s terms, that is to say he is popular and liked For Himself, the quirky and brave kid that he is [sniff!].  Given this turn of events, I pooh-pooh EF and the desire for As (…and Bs…).

For now.

Love,
Full Spectrum Mama







12 comments:

  1. Nice post, I know how hard are of these EF and ABC's are to balance. I am finding more and more that when my ASD kid comes home he is upset due to some social interaction that occurred. I love hearing that G is doing well socially, it is so important in life. I have heard that Emotional Intelligence (EI) is one of the most important factors in determining if a person will succeed.

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    1. Dear Cynthia,
      Thank you for your comment.
      My G spent years and years being the school weirdo and getting teased, bullied and tolerated. We switched (and I do not say this lightly - it involved a lot of sacrifice and logistics) to a school where there is more diversity overall and he is IN HEAVEN. But I also think something shifted in him (I mean, he's still totally himself, but it's like he's okay with that and people sense it or...something) , and he might be in a different position even in his old environment. All this is just to say that there is SO much hope and I also believe that with dealing with struggles comes some wisdom, i.e. EI !!!!
      Love,
      FSM

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  2. Love this. And I love how you value social skills as much as all the others. It's a tough one for me. Getting As and Bs feels really, really important, but having a kid with SPD has forced me to re-prioritize. I'm not very good at it yet, but I'm getting better each day. I think… I hope… Great read!

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    1. Oh, believe me - it's a PROCESS. I write as someone with a lifetime of straight As and an Ivy Ph.D. For me, I think grades were a way to prove to my family that i was worthy...G certainly doesn't have that impetus ;)
      I think the other thing for me is that i DO know how deeply intelligent he is - and so do his teachers...and so does he. It's a question of getting THAT piece in the mix once he's really integrated the Social. Let's hope, anyway!!!!
      Love,
      FSM

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  3. FSM! I love your explanation and interpretation of the acronyms ("difference" makes a big . . . difference!) Always enjoy reading your posts, your energy is infectious :)

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    1. Thanks so much, Rachel. Trying to keep it positive and infectious...vs. depressing and contagious which is more natural in this endless storm we are experiencing here... ;)

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  4. I'm so glad to hear that your kiddos' having a successful social experience in middle school. The idea of Ben going to middle school scares the pants off me! And I agree, academics are important, but they are not everything. I'm so glad you've found a place where he can thrive and the teachers are working with him... That is so huge!

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    1. Trust me, Jessica, you could NOT POSSIBLY be more terrified than I was. I would say i spent the better part of a year in a panic over my sensitive, "different," socially -awkward kid going into seventh grade.
      I think the deal so far (and i know there will be more challenges, of course) with my G should be a real beacon of hope for parents of children who share some of his qualities. Whether Middle School has changed or whatever it is, it will not necessarily be as you expect.
      And a really fabulous thing is how we are all in this together!

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  5. I am just starting to learn the different acronyms myself. My son (so far) has only been diagnosed with SPD. I also try to use the word difference (which I believe I got from a previous post of yours).

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    1. Maybe that;ll be your family's only acronym? ;)
      Yay! for difference! Boo! for simplistic labeling! Yay! for spreading awareness <3

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  6. Great post as always... and I love your homemade graphics. They're awesome!

    Jennifer

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