To the Parent of a Child With Sensory Processing Disorder, From Your Child

Dear Mom,

You are truly a superhero. I know you give so much of yourself to make my life more comfortable. I know it’s not always easy or fun. I know at times we yell, scream, cry and shout at each other. You do so much for me every day, things other parents don’t have to do. You go above and beyond to make my days as stress-free as possible.

You make sure not to wear bracelets that jingle when you’re around me. You mute the TV if there’s a football game on. You ask the manager at a restaurant to turn their music off because it’s giving me sensory overload. You don’t mind buying me six of the same shirt. You go to bat for me with teachers and principals. You knew when it was time to admit me to the hospital where they could help me, and you brought pictures of my friends and family to keep in my room for support. You drive hours so I can receive the best treatment available. You pay for my treatments and medications even if insurance doesn’t cover them and it means you have to sacrifice. You read books and constantly are researching to learn more about sensory processing disorder (SPD).

You see my disorder as a strength and not a flaw. There’s no way to write or truly encompass how much you and every other parent of a child with SPD do for us. I believe there’s no way we could make it without you. We couldn’t make it through the strides, the successes, the failures, the meltdowns and all the good and bad without you.

You are the only people who can come close to understanding the way we live our lives. I know we don’t say it enough, but we love you for all the things big and small you do for us.

From every child with SPD to their parent — thank you.

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