I thought about entitling this entry, "When Ethan takes a bath, Mama gets wet". But when I considered the challenges involved with all of Ethan's daily hygiene, care, therapy and activities, I decided to write about Sensory Processing Disorder. It is SPD which is responsible for making these daily duties so challenging and exhausting for both Ethan and his mother.
Before I continue, here is the definition from Wikapedia:
"Sensory processing disorder or SPD is a neurological disorder causing difficulties with processing information from the five senses (vision, auditory, touch, olfaction, and taste), the sense of movement (vestibular system), and/or the positional sense (proprioception). For those with SPD, sensory information is sensed, but perceived abnormally. Unlike blindness or deafness, sensory information is received by people with SPD; the difference is that information is processed by the brain in an unusual way that may cause distress or confusion.
SPD is its own diagnosis, but it can be linked to other neurological conditions, including autism spectrum disorders, attention deficit disorder, dyslexia, Developmental Dyspraxia, Tourette syndrome, multiple sclerosis, and speech delays, among many others. There is no known cure; however, there are many treatments available."
SPD is its own diagnosis, but it can be linked to other neurological conditions, including autism spectrum disorders, attention deficit disorder, dyslexia, Developmental Dyspraxia, Tourette syndrome, multiple sclerosis, and speech delays, among many others. There is no known cure; however, there are many treatments available."
In Ethan's case, SPD is one of many effects of his cerebral palsy. For many years, we had severe seizure activity that occupied our attention. Now, that his epilepsy is under control (virtually non-existent), we have turned our attention toward other issues, SPD being one of the main issues. However, something as simple as brushing his hair, can trigger a neurological response that is akin to seizure activity, as he is unable to process that sensation properly and he goes on "overload".
SPD can affect one or more or all of the senses. For Ethan, it's "all". Here are a few examples from each of the categories:
Vision~ For him to look up and out at his surroundings takes a great deal of courage, as he perceives the world about to smack him in the face. Often, he will blink or squint, as though expecting to be struck.
Auditory~ Sudden loud noises, such as someone sneezing or coughing startle him every bit as much as the church congregation simultaneously turning the pages in their Bibles or hymnals. A little child running past, or a baby crying can really "send him for a loop".
Touch~ This is where most of our challenges reside, as everything from brushing hair and teeth, swabbing ears, washing face, getting dressed, trimming nails, etc., etc. can produce a "happy spell"...uncontrollable "laughing" which usually results in vomiting...I suspect a form of seizure activity. Not a laughing matter.
Olfactory~ The aroma of food cooking or an air freshener, candle burning or someone's perfume or lotion can have a profoundly nauseating affect on Ethan.
Taste~This is so closely associated with smell, it's difficult to tell which it is that sets him off. Just sitting down to the table usually makes him gag. He will often lose the first swallows of food at a meal, before "getting a grip". Otherwise, I haven't noticed that any particular tastes/flavors bother him.
Vestibular/Positional~ If I allow him to lie on his back for any length of time, he will get sick to his stomach.
I'm not sure where this one fits in; but, a ride in a vehicle, particularly a bumpy ride or riding in the dark with oncoming headlights can have adverse effects, as well. I resist taking him out at night for that reason.
Now, you might assume from this, that bath-time is traumatic. Not so. He gets a little overly excited about skin exposure; but, once Ethan is in the tub, it's a party. And, Mama gets wet.
