Look at that smile. Don't you just want to hug her and squeeze her? She's an amazing and complex little girl that I cannot imagine living without but it's not always easy.
It's been over a year now since all of the biting that led us to finding a new school and reaching out to an OT who helped us diagnose her sensory issues. We have come a long way, but it's often two steps forward and three steps back.
While she no longer bites like she used to, there are still times when she'll revert back to that behavior when she isn't feeling well, there's a major transition or can't articulate how she is feeling. She still likes to mouth things like her blankey or her hands for comfort. The chewies we bought aren't used as much but we'll return to them from time-to-time.
Things like hair washing and brushing and clothing issues, which didn't seem to be much of an issue for her before now come up a lot. At this time she covers her face with a rag when I was her hair and only lets me brush it with a certain brush. She won't wear any pants with buttons and prefers "stretchy" pants. We typically don't force the clothing issues because that's just not a battle worth fighting, but hair washing and brush require lots of effort.
Socks and shoes are still an issue at times and she much prefers to go without. I can't really blame her there because I like to go without them too. It does make things challenging when we often have to put them back on. However, I have taken to letting her just walk barefoot when possible. There are places where shoes are a MUST but others where it just doesn't matter.
Loud, busy places still can get her wound up and agitated. I feel rude when we are places and have to step out or leave but it makes things much, much easier for all of us if we are prepared to do that.
I worry about her when she's older. What will she be like? What will her life be like with these sensitivities? We are in a school now that works with us. What will happen if we go somewhere that isn't? Will she function well with the other kids as she gets older? Will these things keep her from being social and active? Will they be debilitating or are we addressing them appropriately now so she is better off in the future? I just don't know.
I find myself exhausted and frustrated at times. People don't always understand and just think it's normal toddler behavior. Somes times, it is. Other times, it's things we have been dealing with for over a year that just get bigger and louder as she gets older. I don't think I always do a good job with her or that I don't have enough patience. I compare myself to parents whose children have severe disabilities and think I have no right to complain or feel overwhelmed by it because their lives are much more difficult. I remind myself that I am only human and so is she. We'll figure this out together.
