The Virtual Reality Video That Helped Me Understand My Children's Sensory Overload

For a few minutes I had the privilege of seeing the world as they see it. I can never forget how that video made me feel.

I felt sick.

I felt dizzy.

I felt overwhelmed.

I felt trapped.

I felt lost.

I felt scared.

By the end of that video I was exhausted.

I was crying.

I have two children who experience the world at that level. I cannot stop their sensory overload.

Their world is so different than mine.

I have a huge respect for them now just for being able to get out of the car in a busy lot, or make it through a day at school, or walk into a shop.

I have promised myself to look out more for their stress signs and listen to them when they say, “I want to go home now.” I have promised to protect them more and understand them.

I feel bad for the many times I have told them to simply ignore the clock ticking when they said it was hurting their ears. I feel guilty for the time my daughter said the shop was making her feel sick, and not realizing the smell, the colors and the noise were overwhelming. I truly had no idea.

But that has all changed.

That video makes me see my children in a whole new way. They are stronger than I give them credit for, and they are braver than I knew.

To anyone who has seen a child on the spectrum upset and passed judgment, to anyone who has watched an adult panicking buying a bus ticket… I urge you; take five minutes to watch this.

It changed my viewpoint. I hope it changes yours too.

Follow this journey on Faith Mummy.

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