Sam's world: when everything feels different

The world through Sam's eyes

Sam is 6 years old and loves routine. Every morning he eats his sandwich in exactly the same way: first the crusts off, then into four equal pieces. If mom accidentally uses jam instead of peanut butter, his whole day can change course. Not because Sam is being difficult, but because his brain is organized differently.

What you might recognize in your child:

Communication that flows differently:

• Your child rarely looks up when you say their name

• Babbling started late or suddenly stopped

• They sometimes talk like a 'little professor' about their favorite topic

• Taking expressions literally: "It's raining cats and dogs!" causes confusion

Social interaction that's challenging:

• Little interest in other children on the playground

• Difficulty with 'pretend play' games

• No spontaneous peek-a-boo games as a baby

• Prefers playing alone rather than together

Sensory sensitivities:

• Hands over ears when the vacuum cleaner runs

• Resistant to certain clothing (labels, textures)

• Hears the smallest sound but seems 'deaf' to your voice

• Extremely picky with food (texture, color, shape)

It's not what you think

"It's not that Sam doesn't listen - he just hears the world differently than we do." This sentence sums up a lot. Children with ASD aren't disobedient, lazy, or uninterested. Their brain processes information in a different way.

Sam, for example, hears all sounds simultaneously: the washing machine, traffic outside, mom talking, the TV in the background. For him, all these sounds have the same volume. No wonder he sometimes gets overwhelmed or completely 'zones out' into his own world.

Why recognition matters

Early recognition doesn't mean there's something 'wrong' with your child. It means you better understand why certain situations are difficult and how you can help your child feel safer and more understood.

Sam's mom learned that it helps to say his name AND gently touch his shoulder before asking something. This way Sam knows the message is meant for him.

Your intuition counts

As a parent, you often feel early on that your child is 'different.' Maybe you can't name it, but you feel it. Trust that intuition. You know your child best.

In the next blog, we'll dive deeper into the early signs you can recognize. Because the sooner you understand how your child experiences the world, the better you can support them.