by Jane Eppard | 12.05.2020
With the help of therapy, her parents’ continued support, and her hard work, Elin is able to enjoy her day-to-day life to the fullest.
On April 10, 2014, the world grew a little brighter when a sweet baby girl by the name of Elin was born. Even as a baby, Elin knew how to make an entrance, voicing her opinions with a hearty set of lungs.
Her parents quickly discovered that with Elin a middle ground didn’t exist. It was either hot or cold; the good times were very good and the difficult, were very difficult. Elin didn’t handle change well and would frequently throw tantrums or have meltdowns. The intense fluctuations of temperament led her parents to search for explanations and solutions. Through plenty of research and the help of therapists, Elin received her diagnoses– social anxiety, which triggers her anger outbursts and sensory integration disorder, which is a condition where the brain has trouble receiving and responding to information that comes in through the senses.
With the diagnoses known, Elin went to The Center for Childhood Development for therapy. Here, she was paired with therapist Elise Dirkse. Elise worked with Elin providing occupational and play therapies. In addition, Elise provided tools for coping with the highs and lows.
Even though certain sensory stimulants are unpleasant, Elin still is a sensory seeker, meaning she loves to move, loves to receive tight hugs, and lay beneath weighted blankets. Elin’s parents purchased an indoor sensory swing for their house, and boy-oh-boy, Elin loves that swing! It helps her regulate her senses and has been a true gift to the entire family.
Since the therapy that Elin needed wasn’t covered by insurance, The Center for Childhood Development suggested that they apply for a scholarship from Family Hope Foundation. With this scholarship, Elin was able to receive continued treatment. According to Elin’s mother, “Watching my little girl come out of her shell and to see the smile back on her face has made our OT sessions completely worth it! Every time we go, she becomes a little bit more confident. It has been amazing to watch her grow.”
With the help of therapy, her parents’ continued support, and her hard work, Elin is able to enjoy her day-to-day life to the fullest. The name ELIN means LIGHT. When you look into her beautiful blue eyes, that is exactly what you’ll see, a beautiful radiating light.
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