My name is Bayleigh Cluett, I am 15 years old and I have Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD). I was diagnosed with this when it was still called Sensory Integration Disorder. I had a grade 3 brain bleed (a 4 being the worst) when I was a baby. They told my parents I might not be able to walk talk or even function on my own. The doctors performed a miracle and I turned out better than they expected! I was diagnosed with sensory integration when I was six. My mom kept asking my pediatrician if something was wrong with me and they just kept telling her I was a difficult child.
Once I was diagnosed, I started going to occupational therapy. This included banana suits, moon shoes, brushes, too tight clothing, trampolines and much more. I look back on occupational therapy as a HUGE help because I could not stand car seats, jeans, buttons, zippers, belts, pockets, earrings or even being late to a birthday party. I would completely shut down and start crying. My sensory issues were so bad that my parents would not take me anywhere because I was such a pill to be around. When when we had field trips at school I wasn’t allowed to go unless my mom drove me because no other parents wanted to take me (due to the restraint of the car seats).
My doctor told my parents I needed to be involved in a sport or something to help me stimulate my body. I was involved in gymnastics ever since I could walk which eventually led for my love of cheerleading. I began cheer when I was eight. We cheered at football games, had competitions in Vegas, Arizona, SDSU, Long beach, and went to Florida for nationals. I stayed with the Pop Warner Program until seventh grade where I also cheered at Tri City Christian and on to Vista Pop Warner for my eighth grade year and then onto Vista High School on their freshman cheer team. Now I am on the Varsity team at Rancho Buena Vista High. I love this sport so much that I would do anything to be able to be stay in it. This includes wearing the super tight shoes and socks I am now used to and the itchy scratching uniform and being able to cheer in front of a huge crowd.
My mom was such a huge help to me because she would come to my school every day to help me with the exercises I had to do at lunch because my teacher would not help me. My mom would also perform brushing techniques and joint compressions three times a day. She also helped me because she was a gymnastics director at the YMCA, Stars and Stripes Gymnastics, Stagecoach and Gyminey Kid’s Gymnastics and Calavera Gymnastics. She also coached my cheer team all six years I was in Pop Warner. She is my rock and someone I can turn to for anything. I could not have done this without her; she took me to all my football games, coached my practices, and came to all my competitions. I don’t know how she was able to take care of me. I was such a difficult child and that was because I was super stubborn on top of having SPD.
I remember one morning my mom went to work and my dad was still at work when my carpool came to pick me up. My grandpa was watching me and we were going to be late for school. I didn’t want to be late so I hid under the car and wouldn’t come out until my dad got home and peeled me out and sent me to school. I hated to be late. My third grade classroom was all the way at the other end of the school and I was so upset that I had a melt down before I got to class. I also remember one birthday when my grandpa took me somewhere before my party. We got back late for my own party and I started freaking out. I also hated it when everyone sang the birthday song to me. I would hide under the table. SENSORY OVERLOAD.
If you told me when I was six that I would be doing all of this, I probably wouldn’t have believed you. I am glad I had all the help and support that I needed because without it, I would not have been able to accomplish all these goals. I am very grateful for all the support and all I have done; I wouldn’t trade it for the world. I want to say thank you to God for everything He has done for me and my mom for all the support and help she gave me, and all my doctors I had because they truly helped me in a way I cannot explain, and all my coaches, teachers, friends and family for all they have done for me over the years.
Thank you for reading: Bayleigh Cluett, 15
Loved reading your story your journey to date, this has also helped me realize the challenges my children faced amazing that you can put your experience into words as my 19 year old daughter with Autism could not. So many familiar experiences and wonderful for you to share with everyone as this communication will in turn help many children / adults family members/ Carers better understand just how tough this condition can be. Thank you so much,I wish you every success in your future .
Thank you for sharing your story. We have only just begun treatment for my 4 year old son, and hearing the success stories like yours keeps me motivated, strong, and confident he can be helped. Thank you also for acknowedging God and the people behind the scenes who have helped you in your journey. I pray God continues to bless you and your family!
Thank you for writing your story Bayleigh. My granddaughter is 8 now and has quite the challenges everyday. We are all working with her, including her much loved OT, Kelly. It is encouraging for us to know that with hard work, love and support our Julia will be just fine. Best of all things to you!
Thank you Bayleigh for your story. I am the mom of a 19, almost 20 year old daughter who has overcome being profoundly deaf and I am the mom of a newly diagnosed 4 year old with sensory issues. My beautiful little girly girl cannot put on socks and shoes, hates her car seat and will only wear certain things. We have such a hard time in the morning getting dressed and ready for our day. She has started occupational therapy just this past month and we are “brushing”, but I was hoping for a “quick fix”. I know I won’t get it and I have to be patient. Reading your story has helped me to understand that she too will get through this, just like you did and how my older daughter has risen above her inability to hear to be successful. You are a very beautiful and brave girl and I wish you only the best. Thank you again for sharing.
I love you and your story:) You are AMAZING!!!
Thank you so much for sharing your story. It gives me hope that everything will be okay for my four-year-old son, who was diagnosed with SPD earlier this year.
Thank u for sharing your story. 2 of my sons have this issue. Stories like yours gives me hope, for we to are believers. God is good!! God bless u sweetie!
Your testimony is an inspiration to my family. My 6-year old daughter is in the process of being tested for SPD. She’s also a cheerleader. Thank you for sharing.
Bayleigh- Thank you! Thank you! for sharing this story. I started crying as I read this. My 4 year old son struggles daily, we have just finally got a diagnosis after years of being told he was just a difficult child. Your story gives me so much hope. I hope you are proud of yourself, for all that you have overcome. Thank you again for Sharing!!!
Thank you for sharing and giving hope to parents everywhere. You are beautiful and amazing!! Thank you!
Thank you so much for sharing your story. My daughter is 13 months, and we’ve been aware of her SPD since she was 9 months. Some days I just wish she was able to tell us what she was going through so we could understand. I am constantly reminding myself that though it’s tough for us, it’s just as tough (or more tough) for her. I hope that my daughter will one day share her story with others the way you have. You are an inspiring young woman!
Bayleigh,
Thank you so much for sharing your story. My son has SPD and at first it was very difficult for me to understand what that ment. With articles like this and lots of help from OT and his doctors I am quickly learning how I can support him, I hope one that my son will say I helped him as your mom helped you.
God Bless!