What would you do if your child suffered with something so severe it affected every aspect of her life?

Chynna has asked others that same question many times: those who don't listen, those who don't try to understand or who actually WANT to understand but don't have the right information. When she was asked to give ten tips for parents on the initial steps of their own sensational journey, here's what she came up with:

(1) Empower yourself with knowledge: about SPD in general, about your child's form of SPD specifically, about treatment options and support.

(2) Learn about all seven sensory systems: yes, there are seven--tactile, auditory, gustatory, olfactory, visual, vestibular and proprioception. Teach others about all seven.

(3) Connect with support networks such as The SPD Foundation, Sensory Planet, Sensory Street and/or SPD Canada.

(4) Allow yourself to feel the range of emotions you'll experience raising a child with sensory high sensory needs. It can be difficult at time, it's okay to feel!

(5) Advocating means more than describing what's wrong with your sensational child; it means seeing the whole child and helping others to do so.

(6) Your sensational child needs to experience sensory stimuli in order to teach his brain how to understand and process it.

(7) Teach your child how to interact with the world through play, fun games, crafts and activities. Focusing on fun makes it seem less scary or 'therapeutic'.

(8) Advocate for your child today so she can advocate for herself tomorrow. Answer questions, give explanations and offer information in a positive way so she'll fell confident to do it on her own.

(9) SPD is only a small part of who your child is. Help him to accept that part but also to see the other amazing things inside of him.

(10) The Sensational Journey can be a long road with many hurdles to overcome. Be patient, stay strong, trust your heart and, most importantly, listen to your gut.