My daughter was three years old when we made our first trip to STAR Institute for Sensory Processing Disorder.  The staff’s appreciation and awareness for both the subtle and overt challenges she faced brought us back to Denver from Northern California three more times for therapy, testing, and treatment.  With each visit we took away something new and constructive to help our daughter find peace in the midst of the brain-body conflict of her non-typical sensory processing abilities.  

When we work with families at STAR Institute, we often come across parents who just get it. Parents with SPD get what’s going on with their kids, because it’s their life, too. When we think about parents like that, Laura is someone who immediately comes to mind. Her SPD story started when her son was diagnosed with SPD at an early age. She brought him to STAR Institute before we started the teen and adult program. As she went through the process of learning about SPD and understanding her son, Laura had a realization: “This is me! Wait a minute, this is describing me!”

I'm going to write this with the knowledge that there will be rebuttals from parents and therapists alike.  I just wanted to throw that out there.  The topic?  Parents involvement in their child's Occupational Therapy (OT) sessions or should I say lack of it.  As a STAR Institute "trained" parent I'm passionate about this mostly because I know what a difference it made for us and our son Jackson regarding success with his therapy for Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD).  I've also been on the other side (not involved in therapy) and have seen the harm it can do.

In September 2017, we came across an inspiring TED Talk by Jennifer Allison that made us instantaneous fans. Her ability to compose herself in a calm and organized manner while talking about sensory challenges, addiction, and joy struck us with awe. In her TED Talk, Jennifer shares her love for art and she is REALLY talented. About a week later, we had one of her prints hanging above the door of our shared office.

As STAR Institute therapists for the Adolescent and Adult Treatment Program, we’ve seen so many of our clients take their sensory processing challenges and use them as sensory “superpowers” and develop amazing abilities. These newly repurposed abilities have helped them succeed in work and parenting, become SPD advocates, and so on. Recently, we decided to share our own personal sensory stories.

Can Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) and sexuality impact one another? If so, how does this look, especially in terms of relationship?

In the following interview, we explored one young man’s experience as a self-identified gay man and person with SPD.

I’m Carrie Einck and you know me from the STAR Institute videos on Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) for adults and teens. Today, I’m sharing my story of what drove me to work with families dealing with Sensory Processing challenges and how I address sensory challenges in my own life.... (BUT don't forget to read Sarah's story too!)

I’m Sarah Norris and you probably know me from the STAR Institute videos on Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD). Recently, we’ve been asking the adult SPD community to share their sensory stories with us so we can create more community and awareness for all. Today, I’m sharing my story of how I’ve chosen this career and how I address sensory challenges in my own life.... (BUT remember to read Carrie's story too!)

"I need to leave because it's too loud for me here."

"But it's not that loud!"

Many autistic people have had a conversation like this. We often perceive things like sound or texture differently than others. That's because most autistic people have issues with sensory processing.

The “Terrible-Twos”. Separation anxiety. Night terrors. These conditions are closely associated with childhood. They can cause misery to child, caregiver and family alike. They bring distress, angst, loss of sleep, and unfortunately, sometimes the need for professional intervention. What these childhood conditions generally share as a group is the tendency for people to “outgrow” them as they age. In general, we view “childhood conditions” as just that – issues we need only worry about with children.