Superman

I recently started reading The Out-Of-Sync Child by Carol Stock Kranowitz. The book goes in depth into Sensory Processing Disorder and it is really helping me to learn so much more about Cruz! One of his problems that I have mentioned before is Proprioceptive Dsyfunction. (It's one of the hardest to pronounce) This is the difficulty to motor plan. Those with PD have difficulty conceptualizing and figuring out what each part of his/her body needs to do in order to move a certain way or complete a task. (the brain may know what to do, but they can't figure out how to make their body do it) They have difficulty knowing how much pressure is needed to complete a task (i.e. hold a cup of water, hold and write with a pencil, turn the page of a book, hit a golf ball into the hole, etc.) They also have problems with postural stability. Today Cruz did several things that made me laugh that were textbook examples of this. This morning we were working on flashcards and he was so excited when I showed him the one of an ice cream cone that he grabbed two cards and squeezed them as hard as he could. He immediately started crying and screaming 'mama'. He couldn't figure out how to let go of the cards. He wanted so badly to let go of them but he got so excited his hands couldn't release them. He didn't know his own strength! It was both funny and sad at the same time. Several times today (mostly during therapy) he was 'W' sitting and I had to correct his legs. Within about ten seconds, he would just topple completely over and couldn't figure out how to get back up. Also, twice today and most days, Cruz pushed over his cup of water which spilled all across the table. When he is done with his plate he 'pushes' it away so that I will take it. Usually that plate ends up on the floor or on Franklin's back. Cruz doesn't walk down the hall or around the room he stomps as hard as he can. He is constantly moving, climbing, bumping, and yelling or singing at the top of his lungs. Those of you that have had play dates with him probably think I am crazy since he is quiet and tends to be more reserved. He is just shy and insecure around other kids as he is aware of his issues. Throughout the day I hear mama echo throughout our tiny home all day long as he 'sings' at the top of his lungs. However, we are in this seemingly endless dilemma with him. We want to encourage the exploration of his voice, however, not at 5 in the morning when he jumps out of his crib and stomps up and down the hall, or when his sister is asleep. So we try to keep him outside when Wren is asleep or at least in the family room. I both roll my eyes and laugh when he parades around the room and yells at the dog and jumps and stomps. He is like a little tiny Superman that doesn't know his own strength. Bless his heart, he has been trying so hard lately at therapy and even just with me during the day. He just can't make his body do what his mind wants it to do. He gets so frustrated and hangs his head and cries. Tonight at therapy we were trying to get him to just touch his lips together on command. He tried several times to no avail. But close enough, he of course still got praise. Tonight at dinner (don't tell daddy) I gave Cruz a small piece of gluten free chocolate cake that came in his meal and he was so excited he jumped up and down and signed cake with his hands over and over. He took one bite and smiled really big, until he gagged and threw it up because he just couldn't chew it very well. After he threw it up, he asked for more. Bless his heart. He knows what he wants he just can't make his body cooperate. (No, I didn't give him any more cake) He is just my little superman from another planet sent here to our family teaching us as we go.