It doesn't matter if you have learning differences or not, this pandemic has thrown a curve ball at all of us. While we are in the same ocean, we are not all in the same boat. Every person is going through their own journey and I suspect the inner workings are being challenged in all of us.
I felt today's topic was important to share as a way to reach out and help others understand they are not alone and that there are so many ways to help one another. Often times we don't know what we don't know and that fact causes us to feel helpless, alone and lost in the journey. Our family has found Cranial Sacral therapy to be one of many outlets that help us stay grounded, bringing a feeling of calm and clarity. In turn allowing us space to focus on what we can control and move through each day with a little less stress and frustration.
Virtual learning has tampered with the inner workings of our youngest son's social, emotional, physical and mental well being. I have no doubt many parents, caregivers and guardians are dealing with kiddos struggling with one or more of these areas as well.
A few weeks ago I took our youngest son to see our cranial sacral therapist in hopes of helping relieve some stress from these struggles.
As I sat watching him receive a cranial sacral treatment my mind wandered off. What started as a typical session, saying his feet were having a dance party soon led to something I have never witnessed before. Not with me, my older son nor the son laying on the table.
As the therapist gently placed her hands on his head and then around his sacrum, he melted off into another world.
Perhaps I should have been petrified that he went to such a distant place, yet instead, in that moment, I was comforted that we came to see her.
Comforted because it was clear that this was the very place his body wanted and needed to be. The place that would provide him relief and comfort as the inner workings of his nervous system, his mind and his body struggled to resolve their conflicts.
When he came back from wherever he had drifted off, he described it as going into another body, a green and blue alien like body where he was able to stretch out and fly.
The therapist moved onto his feet and while doing her magic I watched his body relax and a sense of relief come over his face. She noticed it too and asked him, yes asked my 10 year old, what does your body need now? He told her his head felt "squished" and in response she smiled and said, yes it is a bit squished. She requested permission to revisit the part of his head that held this tension.
So back to his head she went - gently placing her fingers on his temples. After a few brief moments, his head whipped side to side like someone had slapped him across the face on both sides, at super speed. In a matter of seconds his head came back to center and the words "that felt good" naturally flowed from him mouth.
This therapy is hard to describe, if you haven't done it yourself. It is energy work and so much more. When done appropriately, it brings a sense of calm and balance to the internal system and outwardly allows one to see more clearly, process and ultimately provide the space to move through feelings and decisions.
This child, our 2nd son, has complex ADHD and anxiety. The triggers feed off one another, often times leaving Xander struggling to self regulate, make appropriate decisions and stay on topic. This therapy helps regulate his inner workings bringing balance and continuity to his world.
I was drawn to write about this topic today to show that there are many outlets to help yourself and your children. When you find your tribe of people where you can share thoughts an ideas, you begin to feel hope, gain confidence, clarity and ultimately find your voice that leads to creating the change you wish to see in yourself, your child and in the world.
I encourage you to comment with an outlet that has worked for you!
Coming Soon:
Group discussions focused on
Topics important to parents of students with learning differences
#journey2bloom #inspireresilience #ittakesavillage #movingmountains #wordsmatter #advocacy #parenting #findingyourvoice
