Going to Sleepovers as a Kid Before My Sensory Processing Disorder Diagnosis

Growing up with sensory processing disorder was not easy. Sensory processing disorder for me is not being able to sleep at night if there are any lights or noises like televisions, people talking, or noises outside like dogs barking. I am also very sensitive to loud sounds and get quite nervous and overwhelmed when my dogs bark or when a fire engine or car alarm goes off. If something happens too quick or if I get startled, I will most often cover my ears and lean over to escape from the noises around me.

As a kid, I was not a fan of sleepovers at my friend’s house because of my disorder. When I was 10 years old, my best friend at the time was having a slumber party at her house. The party was going very well for me until the time to go to sleep. As I laid down to sleep, all the girls at the slumber party would not stop talking. I put a pillow over my head and covered my ears trying to drown out the noises. It seemed as if their voices got louder and louder as I tried to sleep. I got up and slept in the guest bed by myself, only to be greeted with the sounds of my friends parents talking and laughing loudly. I got up and asked the parents to quiet down because I couldn’t sleep. I was in tears. I ended up not sleeping that whole night. The next morning, my friend’s mom told my parents how rude I was.

Later in life, I was diagnosed with sensory processing disorder. It explained my sudden outbursts as a kid. Now as a young adult, I have found new ways to help with my disorder, despite how hard it is for me.

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