Boxes

In addition to autism, Nolan has a diagnosis of sensory processing disorder. He feels things different than the average person. With sensory processing disorder a person can either feel things too much or not enough; and sometimes a mixture of the two. Nolan is more of a sensory seeker. This means he craves stimulation in most areas of the five senses. Let me give you some examples:

Hearing: he holds the phone up to his ear at max volume and laughs the entire time. Yes, he has had his hearing tested and the boy can hear just fine. He just loves the extremely loud sounds of certain characters and songs. I also think he likes the vibration that comes from that. One time he held the phone up to my ear and I was shocked to feel vibration coming from the speaker!

Sight: Nolan often squints his eyes certain ways or waves his hands in front of his face. It looks funny to us but it makes perfect sense to him. Sometimes he gets right up on a picture or even your fave and looks SUPER close at it. I wish I knew what he saw!

Taste and Smell: If craving sweets is part of sensory processing disorder then I have it too. Ha! Nolan craves crunchy and chewy foods. He won't eat anything soft like noodles, yogurt, or anything that can change flavors like fruits; except bananas. He LOVES bananas.

Touch: Nolan can't get enough when it comes to this one. He loves big hugs, squeezes, and pressure. He jumps off of high things onto his bean bag because it's fun; but also because he craves that feeling of impact and pressure when he lands. He also chews on things a lot. The pressure it puts on his mouth and teeth help regulate and calm him.

I explain all this because so many people with autism also have sensory processing disorder. Where Nolan needs more of these areas others may need way less. You may see kids or adults wearing noise canceling headphones or even sunglasses at times. All of these things look and seem so strange to us but it's their whole world and how they live in it. It's so interesting to me to learn about the world Nolan lives in everyday. Nobody sees it the way he does!

You have to know all this to understand why I wasn't a bit surprised when Nolan started hiding in boxes this week. First, his teacher sent me a picture where he had climbed into a small rubbermaid bin in class and thought it was the funniest thing on the planet. I wasn't surprised he did it, but was very impressed because that box was small! Then, while Harper and I were gone, Hunter sent a video of Nolan inside an Amazon box on top of the dog crate. If you listen close you can hear his giggles! It's his new thing lately and he thinks it's hilarious. I also think he finds it comforting. He doesn't do it for attention but when he is caught all he can do is laugh!

The first thing I thought after I saw the picture of him in class was, "wow how did he fit in there?" and, "I know I sure would love to climb in a box like that sometimes! I can't say I blame him." Who doesn't need a break sometimes away from the world? We try to do so much by ourselves; to handle everything that comes our way. Not only that, but the world is just getting crazier and crazier. I don't even want to check the news anymore because it's always bad or negative. If I could crawl into a box where there it is quiet, peaceful, and felt like a big ole hug I'd do it too! Although, people probably wouldn't think it was as cute as when Nolan does it!

My husband's grandmother passed away this week. When I told Harper about it the next morning of course she said, "I bet she's up there in heaven playing with my bunny!" I agreed but then told her that she sure is happy whatever she's doing because she's seen Jesus! Harper sure thought that was amazing! I can't even imagine the feeling of perfect peace and joy she must feel. I immediately thought of Nolan in his boxes . . in his version of peace and joy for now. When we long for that God gives us the promises in the Bible.

"Don't be afraid, for I am with you. Don't be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand." -Isaiah 41:10

"I have told you this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrow. But take heart, because I have overcome the world." -John 16:33

"He alone is my rock and salvation. He is my fortress, I will not be shaken." -Psalm 62:6

There are so many more verses in the Bible that promise that it's going to be okay. When you want to jump in a box and hide from the world break out that Bible and read God's Word. There are so many reasons and excuses not to; and I'm guilty of every one of them. God has taught me this week that true peace and joy can only come from Him and the best way to get to know Him is through his Word. Open up your Bible and see for yourself! It's the closes thing to Jesus we've got until we meet Him in heaven!