Just Stop Touching Everything! This is what I used to say to my daughter anytime we were in a store, at church, or anywhere else. She always had to be touching something. She would get warnings and then consequences because she just wouldn’t stop touching.
In my mind, she was just disobeying me. Come to find out, in her mind, she NEEDED to touch everything. She CRAVED touching everything. This is how it is for my six year old sensory seeker.
Until about two months ago, I was not aware that touching things was what she needed…I believed it was just what she wanted. Now that I have a better understanding of what she NEEDS, I am able to help her instead of get upset or force her to stop doing something her body needs.
Two months ago I was told my daughter has Sensory Processing Disorder. Going into the evaluation I already knew in my heart this was the case, but it was such a relief to have someone confirm it, as well as come up with a plan for her.
We have done OT for about two months now and my daughter still touches things…A LOT. It has gotten better, but there are times that she has not gotten enough sensory input in other ways, she will seek it out. She rocks, chews, touches, and does many other things to seek out the sensory input her body craves.
I am still learning and trying to understand everything, but I have realized it is all about perspective. Yes, she still touches things, but now I understand why. Things are much better when you have the right perspective. Knowing my daughter has Sensory Processing Disorder changed my perspective.