I woke up the other morning and walked out on my deck to find a cool, crisp breeze blowing. Ahhhh, I thought and smiled. Fall is coming. While sitting there enjoying a warm cup of coffee and the quiet before the boys woke up, it dawned on me again with no smile this time. “Oh no, fall is coming,” and a disgruntled sigh left my body. If you’re an SPD parent you’ve more than likely had this same thought when you realize that with the upcoming season change your life is about to get crazy for a while. One of the biggest battles we have with Jackson, our 11-year-old son with SPD, is a change in routine along with severe tactile issues. Changing seasons from fall to winter or winter to spring makes me want to have a word with Mother Nature.

Seasonal battles in our house are centered on clothing. This shirt is too loose. This shirt is too tight. This shirt has a tag in it. The color is all wrong. Pants can be shunned if they contain zippers, buttons, cuffs, non-elastic waistbands or are made of a stiff or scratchy material. Socks are an issue if they have seams inside them. The material has to be just so. Another problem is the length and how high they go up the ankle or calf. Shoes? Yep, they’re an issue, too. They have to be the right color. Velcro closures used to be preferred because it took Jackson a long time to learn to tie his shoes. They can’t be too tight, too squishy or too hard. I remember when Jackson was younger and he would only wear rubber slip-on shoes that had holes in the toes. These definitely weren’t the best choice when it was snowing or wet outside or when he was trying to run in PE class. Still, he wouldn’t change them.

The biggest thing I dread with fall and winter are coats. We live in the Midwest so for most of the winter season you really need a coat. Every year I have to force him to try on a coat and end up buying a bulky one. I have to reason with him. “What if we’re stranded on a mountain (we live in Missouri) and have to sleep in the snow all night? You’d be cold!” “What if our car breaks down and we’re stranded on the road for hours (we live in a big city). We’d freeze without coats while waiting for help!” He will finally agree on a coat and I buy it knowing full well that he’ll probably never put it on the whole winter, but my mom heart just has to buy it. Typically he’ll find a lighter weight jacket that he’ll wear even on the coldest of days. He just chooses the shivering and freezing over the sensory overload that comes with being bundled up in a coat. I’ve learned to ignore the “bad mom” stares and questioning looks that I get from strangers when we’re out in public, knowing that they are wondering why my child doesn’t have a decent, weather appropriate coat.

The other big battle is going from shorts to long pants. I literally whooped out loud last year in the middle of a department store when we came across the new style of “jogger” pants. Do you have any idea how hard it is to find dress pants or jeans in the men’s department that are soft and have elastic waistbands and don’t look ridiculous? There they were, the jogger style pants in all their glory. Soft jeans, khakis and sweats and they were in style! This was fantastic! Once Jackson gave his official approval we bought a pair in every color they offered.

Shirts are a bit tricky, too. In the past Jackson would only wear tight compression shirts made of spandex. At some point though, another child made a mean remark to Jackson that his shirts were too tight. Overnight, he decided that he wouldn’t wear them anymore so he wouldn’t get teased. I watched him struggle over the next month as he tried to become accustomed to wearing “normal” cotton shirts. He’s still never been able to wear anything with collars or buttons, but at least now he loves soft T-shirts (with no tags of course) and that is the extent of his repertoire in the shirt department.

Shopping for clothes has always been a challenge with Jackson. I know better than to be in a store without him and pick something up thinking that I can just put it in his closet and he’ll wear it. Besides, as the typical pre-teen boy he detests shopping, so a trip to the store to buy him clothes is not for the weary. When he does find something that he really likes, though, I love it. The smile on his face when he finds something that is “cool” makes him light up and it’s fantastic to see him feel good about himself. It makes it all worth it.

So as fall and winter are approaching, I wish all you SPD parents well. Remember, it is just as hard for your child to adjust as it is for you. The seasons will always change and as each leaf grows or falls we become a little more in tune with our SPD children and how we can help them with the adjustment. And to Mother Nature, can you please gradually ease into the next season this year? Please, no overnight fifty-degree temperature differences. Those of us on the SPD journey would really appreciate your cooperation!

If you are looking for SPD treatment for yourself or your child fill out a child or adult intake form now to be treated at STAR Institute Treatment Center or search our Treatment Directory to find services in your area.

Meggin has recently achieved a long term goal of founding a non-profit organization, Sensational Hope (www.sensationalhope.org), which provides community awareness about SPD in the Kansas City Metro Area. It connects families as well as assists children with SPD in the purchase of needed therapy equipment. Meggin resides in the Kansas City area with her husband of 15 years, Erich, her two sons, Bryce and Jackson, her two furry children (dogs) Chance and Sadie, two Rabbits (Max and Bailey), and last but not least, 10 fish.  Meggin is honored to blog for the STAR Institute and is looking forward to connecting with other SPD families.