Our brains process the myriad sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and sensations in our environment to facilitate appropriate responses. However, for children with sensory processing challenges, such as my son, this input can become overwhelming and disordered.
For him, gentle touches or a simple spray of water can feel as abrasive as sandpaper. Loud noises, like a flushing toilet or an airport announcement, often trigger emotional distress. Crowded spaces are particularly challenging, leading to heightened anxiety that manifests as frantic running, spinning, or even yelling. These reactions are attempts to manage an intense fight-or-flight response to his surroundings.
Traveling, especially through airports, poses significant obstacles. While he often finds the vibrations of an airplane soothing, the entire process—from handling luggage to navigating security checks and long lines—can be a source of great stress. In preparation for our trips, we spend considerable time discussing what to expect and create checklists to help him understand each step. We also pack a special bag containing a deep pressure vest, noise-canceling headphones, and comforting toys to help ease his anxiety.
Despite our meticulous planning, not every journey goes smoothly. Recently, after a long day returning from visiting family, we found ourselves at baggage claim in New York’s LaGuardia Airport. My son was utterly exhausted, and as fatigue set in, he had a complete meltdown. As I sat on the grimy floor, desperately trying to manage the situation while locating our luggage and our driver, my heart sank. Tears streamed down my face as onlookers cast judgmental glances; one woman even remarked, “My child would never act like that,” as she passed by with a friend.
In that moment, I just wanted to escape. Then, unexpectedly, a kind woman who had sat next to us on the flight approached. She knelt beside my son and gently inquired about his favorite jelly bean color. His surprise quickly faded, and he responded. She then encouraged him to use his pretend binoculars to help search for our luggage, which he happily did. Before long, our bags arrived, and so did our driver. I expressed my heartfelt gratitude to her as we parted ways.
While there will always be those who don’t understand, there are also compassionate individuals like Sarah from Ohio, who remind me that I’m not alone, even in challenging parenting moments. For more insights on navigating parenting challenges, you can visit one of our other blog posts here.
In summary, parenting can present unique difficulties, especially when sensory sensitivities are involved. However, moments of kindness from strangers can provide comfort and connection, showing parents that they are not isolated in their experiences. For further information on fertility journeys, I recommend checking out this resource, and for pregnancy assistance, this link offers excellent insights.