Can Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) and sexuality impact one another? If so, how does this look, especially in terms of relationship?

In the following interview, we explored one young man’s experience as a self-identified gay man and person with SPD.

I’m Carrie Einck and you know me from the STAR Institute videos on Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) for adults and teens. Today, I’m sharing my story of what drove me to work with families dealing with Sensory Processing challenges and how I address sensory challenges in my own life.... (BUT don't forget to read Sarah's story too!)

The “Terrible-Twos”. Separation anxiety. Night terrors. These conditions are closely associated with childhood. They can cause misery to child, caregiver and family alike. They bring distress, angst, loss of sleep, and unfortunately, sometimes the need for professional intervention. What these childhood conditions generally share as a group is the tendency for people to “outgrow” them as they age. In general, we view “childhood conditions” as just that – issues we need only worry about with children.

This is a follow up article to the blog post titled This Hidden Sense Affects Potty Training and Toilet Accidents in Older Kids.

Helping children who are struggling with toileting should be approached as more of a marathon than a sprint. A child with toileting issues may actually be struggling with a little known sensory system called interoception.

I had a revelation the other day. I was talking with the fifth parent of the week who had just found our support group.  She had just been told her child had “sensory issues” by a physician and given no further explanation. I started out by sharing the Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) basics with her and what it can look like in a child. I explained that we had more than just the obvious senses in our bodies.

It’s that time of year…. Parent-Teacher Conferences. Some parents love hearing about their child’s successes, but some parents don’t have that experience. Instead they receive a troubling report.

If you’re reading this, you probably sat in the tiny chair in front of your child’s teacher and absorbed the classroom your child occupies five days a week.  You scoured the walls looking for your child’s artwork and reminisced on your own school days for a minute.

There is a story called “Welcome to Holland” by Emily Perl Kingsley that I always read to my expecting parents while I work as a prenatal instructor. The story talks about this perfect trip to Italy that you’ve been planning your entire life. The plane lands and as you exit the plane, the flight attendant welcomes you to Holland. Holland? That’s not where I wanted to go!