This weekend we had a nice family day out – went to see How to Train Your Dragon at the big cinema in the city where they have 3D – such an indulgence, and I think we’ve used up our entire year’s movie quota in the past month! Two of the four times we’ve been to the cinema in the past 3 years were in the past 3 weeks!
The film was lots of fun, and when we came out, we saw these huge balls floating out on the lake by the shopping mall. On closer inspection, it turned out you could actually go inside these balls and run around on the water.
Littletree was super-keen to have a go – how odd!
She listened carefully to the instructor, who explained how she had to get in, and how to do a “time out” signal if she wanted to get out.
Littletree isn’t keen on loud noises – a carry-over from her almost-defunct sensory processing issues, but she endured the noise of the air compressor filling the ball
Cautiously, she stepped out onto the water,
Promptly fell over, and then she was off!
Here’s a short video I made of the fun
In any case, it was a highly educational event – we learned how much oxygen time a child has in a 180cm ball – up to 30 minutes, but with activity, best not to stay more than 10-15 mins. We learned how to run on water, and what it looks like at the bottom of the lake at the mall (dirty with seaweed). And we proved that with enough motivation, Littletree will overcome her fears.
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wow! she is very brave, I don't think I could do that :) Even though it looks like fun
ReplyDeletewhat a bizarre set up - and insanely fun looking as well! Thanks for sharing that!
ReplyDeleteThat looks like so much fun!
ReplyDeleteThat looks like so much fun:)
ReplyDeleteSo cool! Could you please explain to mean what you mean by sensory processing issues?
ReplyDelete:)
Littletree had difficulty integrating loud noises, smells, and sensations, especially water on her skin. She's mostly over it now, but we did have a pretty challenging time for a while when she was smaller.
ReplyDeleteMy son (who has just turned 6) also has sensory issues. He is sensitive to loud noise and has issues with his vestibular system (ie knowing where all his various body bits are at any given moment) - which means he constantly moves (usually jumping) in an attempt to remind himself where he is in space.
ReplyDeleteWe've tried a number of things to try an help him, from seeing an OT, to a low casein diet and a specific natropathic technique called "piffer testing". None of these seem to have helped him.
I would be interested to know what you did to help Littletree overcome her sensory issues if you don't mind sharing, as we are finding our DS rather challenging at times.
*hugs* to you, Nik
ReplyDeletefor the most part, it was just a hugely challenging thing, but when I decided to stop seeing it as an "issue" or a "disorder" and just accept Littletree for who she is, and how she is, things got a LOT easier.
I took her "quirks" as being normal for her, and we did some work-arounds. It was a little helpful at times to have the label to tell people who were put out by Littletree behaving hysterically, as though tourtured, simply because some droplets of water splashed on her, or there was a smell (she has hyper-sensitive smell and gets disturbed by scents that most of us don't even notice).
When I fully accepted it unconditionally, it stopped being a problem for us, and she started "growing out of it" in her own time.
Littletree is still sensitive to loud noises and strong smells, but it's not a terrible disaster anymore. I'd say she's pretty much grown out of the whole thing :)
Thanks for sharing Majikfaerie.
ReplyDeleteDS's Dad says he is sure he would of been labeled as having SPD had the term been around when he was a kid, but you wouldn't know it now...expect for his strong dislike of the smell of mangoes.
So we're hoping he grows out of it like his father did, but the journey is challenging. Perhaps it is my background, working in child care that has me wanting to 'do' something to 'fix' it.
Anyway, thanks again.
for me, seeing that aspect of Littletree as an integral part of who she is meant that I didn't have to *do* anything, because she's perfect and didn't need fixing, just supporting.
ReplyDeleteI think a lot of parenting is like that.
I get what you mean. I just need to put a muzzle on the 12 years of child care indoctrination that I have. Is more my 'issue' than his.
ReplyDeletewell, seeing that it's your problem to deal with is a huge step. *hug* again
ReplyDeleteLOL that is awesome! I want a turn!
ReplyDeleteFANTATSIC!.... Great to read your comments above too.
ReplyDelete