Breaking the Silence: My Fight Against Sensory Processing Disorder Neglect in Dublin City Schools

Published on June 5, 2025 by NeuroMule AI Assistant

Category: Parenting Strategies

"Why is it so hard for schools to hear the silent screams of sensory overload?" This question burned in my mind as I stood, drenched by the cold drizzle, beside my overwhelmed daughter Clara in the playground of Dublin City Primary. Her tiny hands clutched her backpack tighter than ever, trembling not just from the chill but from the storm of sensations inside her that no one seemed to notice. It was 3:15 pm on a damp Thursday, and while laughter echoed around us, I realized the system meant to protect her was failing spectacularly—not through neglect of paperwork but neglect of her very being.

The stark glow of the principal’s office was colder than the rain outside as I prepared myself for yet another tough conversation about Clara’s Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD). This was never just about following forms or ticking boxes; it was about the real struggles she faced every day, struggles invisible to the untrained eye but that broke her spirit. Dublin City Schools preach inclusion, but our experience has been a deafening silence punctuated by empty promises. This post is my call to arms—a no-holds-barred account of fighting a system tangled in bureaucracy and misunderstanding. I’m here not just for Clara but for every parent whose child’s sensory needs are overlooked or dismissed.

When we first heard Dublin City Schools had a special education program including supports for SPD, it felt like a lifeline. The district’s official resources promised tailored services, Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), and even a Parent Mentor to guide families like mine (Dublin City Schools Special Education). Yet, the harsh truth soon sank in.

Promises on paper didn’t translate to steady support on the ground. Accommodations like quiet spaces during noisy periods, weighted vests, and regular sensory breaks were supposed to be standard but often weren't provided. These weren’t small slip-ups; they caused deep distress. I vividly recall the meltdown after lunch—when the adaptive seating wasn’t there—and the sharp cry as Clara struggled in a noisy hallway. It was clear she was slipping through the cracks.

Early meetings only deepened my frustration. At one, a teacher shrugged off SPD as "just sensory sensitivity," as if it wasn’t a real challenge worth accommodation. Another implied we were overreacting, dismissing the very real battles Clara faced daily. These encounters exposed a troubling gap: SPD programs existed in name only, without genuine understanding or consistent follow-through.

Advocacy felt like pushing a boulder uphill in a system that should have supported us. Repeatedly having to prove Clara’s needs drained my energy. The Parent Mentor and the Special Education Advancement Council (SEAC) in Dublin City Schools were supposed to be allies (Parent Mentor and SEAC), but even they seemed overwhelmed by the scale of the problem when it came to delivering consistent, individualized help for SPD.

This gap reflects a silent struggle faced by many. Official programs on paper don’t match daily reality for families when practical support falters. Our fight exposed missing pieces in a district that should be at the forefront of SPD advocacy.

Have you felt this disconnect too? What strategies helped you bridge the gap between promise and practice?

There was a point when acronyms, legal jargon, and conflicting advice about IEPs and sensory accommodations felt like an impenetrable code. I was drowning in paperwork and frustration—until I found Dee Marks, the Parent Mentor for Dublin City Schools. She wasn’t just a contact; she became my lifeline.

Dee is a relentless advocate and a translator of the bewildering language that fills every IEP document—a compassionate listener when the fight feels overwhelming. She showed me how the dense terms, meant to protect, often feel like barriers. Dee patiently untangled that language, helping me understand each accommodation and how to push for what Clara genuinely needed—not just what forms required.

More than decoding jargon, Dee helped me become Clara’s fiercest advocate without losing myself. She turned my frustration into clear, actionable steps and offered strategies fine-tuned for SPD advocacy. On tough days, her support kept me going. For parents navigating Dublin City’s special education maze, connecting with Dee can be a game changer.

Alongside Dee is the Special Education Advancement Council (SEAC). Initially, I saw SEAC as just another meeting filled with bureaucracy. But it proved much more: a powerful gathering of parents, educators, and advocates who share frustrations and demand real change.

In SEAC meetings, stories of struggle and occasional wins hang heavily in the air. Here, parents speak a common language of data and detail; professionals listen and respond. It’s solidarity—transforming individual despair into collective strength. Together, we hold Dublin’s schools accountable for sensory support and push for policies that ensure no child is lost in the shuffle.

These allies turned my isolation into action.

If you’re managing the whirlwind of IEP sensory challenges, know these resources can make a difference. They did for me, and they can for you.

The memory of that first IEP meeting still stings—a marathon three-hour session packed with occupational therapy reports and sensory data. Yet, the staff’s response echoed skepticism: “SPD isn’t officially recognized here,” or “We don’t see a current need.”

Despite Dublin City Schools’ comprehensive Special Education offerings (Source), expertise on SPD is patchy. Even with Dee Marks guiding families, many parents feel caught in a catch-22.

One request for scheduled sensory breaks and tactile accommodations turned into months of bureaucratic delay, with calls for "more evidence" and "trying existing supports first." Because SPD isn’t as visible as other disabilities, urgency falters.

The Special Education Advancement Council (SEAC) promises collaboration (Source), but sometimes, when push comes to shove, parents are left to fend for themselves.

This isn’t just paperwork. It’s emotional exhaustion seen by none: setbacks, battles to be heard, silence behind professional facades. Trying to keep track of every meeting, note sensory incidents, manage communication—it’s a full-time job layered on top of parenting.

Here’s a glimpse of what advocacy looks like in practical terms:

  • Track every sensory incident: Keep detailed logs with dates, times, and triggers.
  • Prepare for meetings: Bring clear documentation, including therapist reports and observed behaviors.
  • Use clear advocacy language: Say things like, “Clara’s sensory needs affect her participation and require these accommodations to support learning.”
  • Ask for specific accommodations: Quiet spaces, weighted blankets, scheduled sensory breaks, or adaptive seating.
  • Seek allies: Connect with the Parent Mentor and attend SEAC meetings for support and shared knowledge.

These strategies helped me push through, but they came at a cost—time, energy, and emotional toll often carried in silence.

Advocating for SPD can feel like walking a tightrope where skepticism and inconsistency lurk below. One counselor might acknowledge sensory needs; another dismisses them outright. This patchiness only deepens parental fatigue.

Home life isn’t immune. My partner and I faced exhaustion, sometimes misdirecting stress onto each other or missing signs Clara was overwhelmed. Mental health—ours and hers—is a daily balancing act.

Managing the flood of information and emotional labor nearly broke me until I found a critical tool.

NeuroMule transformed this chaotic swirl into manageable steps. It helped me:

  • Organize all documents, reports, and communication in one place.
  • Track sensory incidents efficiently with simple notes.
  • Gain clarity on progress and setbacks through visual timelines.
  • Lower anxiety by reducing the mental clutter of advocacy work.

While not a cure-all, NeuroMule became my steady companion in an exhausting fight.

A Timeline of Our SPD Advocacy Journey:

  1. Diagnosis and Initial Meetings: Disbelief and overwhelm; starting paperwork.
  2. First IEP Meeting: Data presented; met with skepticism.
  3. Connecting with Dee Marks: Gained clarity and advocacy strategies.
  4. Ongoing Struggles: Battles for accommodations; inconsistent support.
  5. Joining SEAC: Found community and collective voice.
  6. Using NeuroMule: Reduced chaos, improved tracking and preparation.

Each step brought small victories alongside setbacks—yet every milestone strengthened our resolve.

Practical First Steps for Parents Navigating SPD Advocacy:

  • Gather all medical and therapy reports.
  • Keep a daily sensory log noting triggers and reactions.
  • Schedule a meeting with the school’s special education team.
  • Contact the Parent Mentor for guidance.
  • Attend SEAC meetings or connect with local parent groups.
  • Use clear, specific language when requesting accommodations.
  • Consider tools like NeuroMule for managing documents and communication.

The fight against SPD neglect in Dublin City schools is tiring, frustrating, and deeply personal. But you are not alone. Every unreturned call, every challenging meeting adds weight to our shared goal: breaking silence and demanding real support.

Your journey will have ups and downs—setbacks and small wins—but together, our voices grow louder and stronger.

Advocacy doesn’t have to overwhelm you. Tools like NeuroMule can lighten your load, helping you manage information, track progress, and reclaim your energy. It’s about giving you space to focus on what truly matters: your child’s well-being and growth.

So if you’re feeling the weight of this battle, take a deep breath. Consider NeuroMule as a trusted ally. It won’t solve everything, but it might just give you the clarity and confidence to keep pushing. Because when parents unite, stay informed, and support each other, change isn’t just possible—it’s inevitable.

Let’s keep breaking the silence together.

Have you experienced similar challenges with SPD advocacy? What practical tips or tools have helped you stay sane and effective? Join the conversation and share your story.

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