Faces of SPD ~ Meet Garret
Garret Stough was born in October of 2005, from the beginning he was a finicky eater and actually took a month to gain his birth weight back. He was a happy baby most times except at feeding time. We thought it was gas so we changed him to gentlease formula especially made for sensitive babies. This seemed to help slightly. He developed right on track, walking at 1-year, talking in sentences at age 2. He did not crawl much, as he did not like to be on his tummy. Garret also freaked out whenever it was bath time from the beginning. I figured I had the water too hot, and left it at that. We started noticing little quirks about Garret. He refused to put his bare feet in the grass, refused to walk on linoleum in bare feet. He seemed terrified of fallen leaves crunching and was afraid of flowers while he was a toddler. Garret is incredibly curious, always wanting to know how things work and where they came from. He would line up cars when playing with them, and love to spin his stroller wheels while it was tipped over. One of his favorite things to do as an infant was to sit in front of our window and watch cars go by. He did want to be held a lot, so we got an infant carrier for him. He would often get sick during car rides, hated the wind, had to wear sunglasses if outside, and noises seemed extra loud to him.
When Garret was 5, I heard about SPD for the 1st time and started researching it. I found a red flag checklist and was amazed, that was Garret to a T. He has been in OT for 1 year. He is now starting to challenge himself and doing lots of things he would refuse in the past.
As far as food goes, Garret is incredibly picky and only eats a handful of crunchy, chewy or spicy foods. His favorite being pepperonis He is now able to go outside without sunglasses even on bright sunny days and no longer gets sick during car rides. Garret still is extra sensitive to sounds. I have also found if a sad song is playing he will start sobbing. When I asked him why he tells me it is so pretty. Emotionally Garret is a sponge and will take on whatever emotions people around him are feeling. We have a very difficult time with hygiene as Garret does not like water or soap bubbles on his body or head, and forget about getting a toothbrush near his teeth. He tells me the toothpaste hurts.
Garret started school last year and did exceptionally well. He actually taught himself to read at the age of 4 when we found a site on the computer that teaches reading. Garret played on it for hours at a time till he could read. This helped him in school as he was the top reader and writer in his class. He is now getting ready to go into 1st grade this fall. He is an incredibly bright, rarely forgets anything, and happy child. When I talk to other parents about his SPD, they are shocked and say “but he’s always so happy”.
Friday, July 27th 2012 at 2:47 pm |
Garret is my nephew and when he was diagnosed I was pretty nervous about what was to come. I am so proud of my big sister who works so hard with Garret. Tirelessly researching and patiently working with him. Garret is an amazing little man and so happy to see his progree. I am no longer nervous about what is to come, with his personality and his mother’s constant encouragement, he will be just fine.
Saturday, July 28th 2012 at 12:21 pm |
I teared up a bit – about his loving pretty songs so much that he cries. I am like that at 42, and I do the same at sunsets, but only tear up. I have an 12 year old, who hates toothpaste too, he only will use a colgate kids brand, that does not have a mint taste. He says mint burns him. He is also an incredibly picky eater, but I know why – SPD. I have him eat adult gummy vitamins – and he likes them. He is very athletic, and I have to remind him to drink and eat all of the time. His favorite food is, I cant believe its not butter spray (ugh), on chicken and olives. Nutty right? He drinks with nearly every bite too. I have SPD, and have 2 sons, the 12 yr old is more severe, and my older is much less severe – and I am the worst! I think that having SPD doesnt mean that you cant be happy. Having a parent that understands – goes a long, long way, no matter your struggles. You seem to be that parent! Garret is lucky to have you, and no wonder he is happy!