This week was hard, having our first IEP meeting left us defeated. Yet, the celebration continued. We’ve spent a lot of birthdays covering our ears, being freaked out by loud singing, lights, loudness, overwhelmed by tons of people... Wondering if we’ll ever get a birthday that doesn't feel discouraging. Will we ever enjoy moments that we thought he would love, but he actually ended up overstimulated? No-one really prepares you to meet your child's “extraordinary”needs ( I call them that because “special needs” has a negative view... one that I want to challenge in our culture) or how to understand what they're going through. I think the thought that comes to mind first is “ why can't they just be like every other kid?” “why does this feel so hard?” and truthfully speaking I've had many moments were I've gotten mad because I wanted him to react a certain way and unfortunately he’s just not built for it. Learning to meet my son’s sensory needs has been our family’s priority. Getting him evaluated was with the desire to understand him more and provide him with the support he needs. Has it been scary ? Yes. Have we cried? Yeah. But no one knows him like we do. No one can ever love and meet his needs like us. This was the first birthday my son communicated he wanted everyone to whisper the happy birthday song to him. It’s the first year we’ve heard him share what he feels when he’s overwhelmed, and the first time we’ve watched him say how to best care for him in moments we don’t understand what he’s thinking or feeling. This year has been a year of so much growth for him. I’m not afraid of what others will say about his behavior and I don’t want to parent out of my own insecurities, but out of a heart of advocacy for my son. I’m so proud of him, and though this journey has felt heavy, I know that we are fit for caring for him. ❤️ To my parents, just know you are the greatest advocate they will ever know. 🤍 - #motherhood #realmotherhood #sensoryprocessingdisorder #parenting #children #overstimulated #birthday #learning #parentingtips #mentalhealth #childrenmentalhealth