I’ve often wondered why my daughter, Alexandra, would start acting up and demand my attention every time I am on the phone. She would be so deeply engrossed in a TV show or a computer game until I pick up the telephone. I am lucky if I am allowed five minutes to complete the call. At that moment, Alex, will use everything in her power to divert me from my intended call. The efforts may include being noisy, throwing objects on the floor or even running to the kitchen for a definitely “no-no” object. She knows when to make me jump.
I’ve always attributed these interruptions to Alex’s special-needs. A premature nervous system combined with sensory integration disorders and other medical needs must definitely be the culprit for these unexplained attention-grabbing behaviors. In my mind, I’ve rationalized the solution and thus avoided looking for a different explanation. I am blinded by the special needs and thus tend to forget that, deep down, my daughter; Alexandra is just like any other kid out there. A kid just exercising her authority and demanding mom’s full attention.
With all that in mind, I couldn’t help but smile as I listened to a radio shown a few evenings ago while driving home. The scenario that receipted during the show described exactly how my Alex would behave under similar circumstances. A listener on the show was phoning-in her request for a special song. Her small child could be heard in the background making all kinds of noise. The announcer inquired about the noise and explained that her own children exhibit similar behavior under these circumstances. She termed it as “Its Just a Kid Thing”.
I couldn’t help but smile at that moment. A cloud was finally lifted and I began to understand those concepts that have always been difficult for me to comprehend. I realized at that moment, that in spite of special-needs, a kid will always just be a kid ..
©Copyright 2008.Najwa S. Hirn. All rights reserved.
