Cade's Evaluation

Monday was Cade's evaluation for Sensory Processing Disorder. The day started badly when Cade had to be woken up in order to get ready for his appointment. He had a major, screaming meltdown that we have learned is a part of his sensory issues. I had hired a babysitter for the day so that no distracting brothers would be present for the appointment. I had arranged for the babysitter to arrive at 9 so that I could make it to his 9:30 appointment in plenty of time. When she still had not arrived by 9:12, I called her (she lives around the corner) and she told me that she would be there in 5 minutes. That was very irritating!! I finally am able to leave for the appointment at 9:23!!! I had to call them and tell them that I would be 15 minutes late - so annoying!

(Stacey, if you read this next section then please feel free to correct me, educate me, or expand on my thought processes)

Cade's evaluation went like we expected. The occupational therapist was wonderful. She really listened to what I told her. I had to fill out some forms and she did some testing with Cade. It is really hard to watch your child struggle at something that you know should be easy for him. It was very clear to her that Cade does indeed have Sensory Processing Disorder (sometimes called Sensory Integration Disorder). His main areas of difficulty are auditory (he is very sensitive to sounds, sounds can send him into meltdown mode especially if he is trying to concentrate on something) and motor planning (dyspraxia - I think that is spelled correctly). Motor planning is the ability to figure out the order that things need to be done and the ability to be able to put the segments together. This is why Cade has such a hard time at soccer, he cannot put the individual elements together. This is why he sometimes cannot figure out that he should do A, B, then C. He might try to do C first or he might do A and then C and then B. Cade will need to start therapy as soon as possible. He will be going twice a week at first. Unfortunately, there is a waiting list to start therapy. The therapist really wants Cade to start before he starts school but she does not believe that it will happen that soon. It is so frustrating that it takes so long to get him the help that he needs. We started this process back in January!!

Mark and I are not surprised by the official diagnosis. We had both accepted the fact that this was what has been going on with Cade. We have both been reading and researching and learning some techniques. We are both so sad for Cade. It is incredibly hard to watch your child struggle. The future holds many obstacles for him. I have a lot of fear for him. I don't want him to be labeled as a behavior problem - he is not. He wants to please and he is incredibly loving and snuggly. I don't want him to struggle in school. He is very bright but I am afraid that his struggles will get in the way of his learning. I fear that he will learn to dislike school. He is super excited about Kindergarten, I don't want him to dread school in the future. I worry that he won't get the right teacher. I am concerned that he will begin to struggle socially when his differences become more apparent to other children. I love him so much that I become very emotional about his future. I hope that I can be the right kind of mom for him, a mom who can help him learn to deal with his differences. A mom who can teach him that he truly can accomplish whatever he wants to accomplish. A mom who can show him that everyone has challenges and everyone has gifts. I want him to be equipped to deal with his challenges. I never want him to use his challenges as a crutch. I want him to feel in his soul that God designed him just the way he is for a reason. I want him to realize his blessings. Is all of that too much to ask?

If you have taken the time to read my novel, please say a prayer for my sweet Cade. My heart hurts for him.