In 2019, our oldest son was diagnosed with Sensory Processing Disorder — and honestly, it rocked us. We were overwhelmed and trying to piece together what this meant for him and for our family. And like many parents, we did what you do when you don’t have answers: you try everything.

And I mean everything.

OT.
Speech therapy.
Multiple tutors.
Different strategies at home.
Different strategies at school.

Everyone could tell us what wasn’t working, or what he struggled with, but nobody could explain why he was struggling. It always felt like the focus was on what was “wrong,” and as a parent, that starts to wear on you. You feel like you’re failing even when you’re giving 200%.

We were tired. Stretched thin. And honestly, at our limit.

Then I found the book that changed everything.

One night, desperate for something that made sense, I came across Disconnected Kids by Dr. Robert Melillo. I didn’t even hesitate — I grabbed the book, and I literally read it in a weekend. I couldn’t put it down.

Dr. Melillo is the founder of Brain Balance Centers and now runs the Melillo Institute in New York. His approach focuses on something I had never heard explained so clearly: how the left and right sides of the brain can develop at different speeds, and how that imbalance can show up as ADHD symptoms, sensory challenges, emotional regulation struggles, and learning differences.

For the first time, I was reading something that described my son exactly.
Not just his challenges… but the root cause.

It was like God turned on a light switch.

We enrolled him in the program, and he’s now 10 weeks in — and the changes we’ve seen are incredible. He’s calmer, more regulated, more confident, and honestly, more himself. Watching him thrive has reminded me again and again how intentional God is in how He created our children.

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Here Are 5 Things Every Parent Should Remember When Their Child Receives a Diagnosis

1. Your child is not their diagnosis.

A diagnosis explains challenges, but it does not define who they are.
Your child is still gifted, funny, creative, loving, and full of purpose.

2. God didn’t make a mistake.

Their wiring isn’t an accident.
It’s intentional.
God wasn’t confused the day He made your child. He equipped them — and He equipped you too.

3. You are equipped and entrusted by God.

Even when you feel completely unqualified, God gives you what you need step by step — wisdom, strength, discernment, and people who can help you.

4. Don’t isolate yourself — you need community.

This journey is heavy when you try to carry it alone.
Find other parents, professionals, and church family who get it. Community doesn’t just help your child — it helps you.

5. Speak God’s Word over your child.

Your voice matters.
Your words shape identity.
Speak life, speak truth, speak Scripture over them daily. They need to hear it, and honestly, sometimes you need to hear it too.

You’re not alone, and your child isn’t alone.
God is in every evaluation, every therapy session, every meltdown, every breakthrough, and every prayer you whisper over your child.

And if our story shows anything, it’s this:
Your child can thrive. There is hope.