a battle of the sensitivities

For an interesting read on over-excitabilities: http://www.hoagiesgifted.org/dabrowski.htm

I've been doing some research on Dabrowski's over-excitabilities and I'm wondering how we even survive some days around here! We've got one child who is hypersensitive to sounds, smells and textures - particularly food textures. This same child, who can have a complete meltdown because somebody is humming off-key has a little nervous squawky, snorky throat-clearing habit, which drives his mom, who is also hypersensitive to sounds, and textures (particularly clothing textures). Another child is emotionally hypersensitive, however has no problem making repetitive noises simply for the purpose of driving the aforementioned child (and mom) totally up the wall.

One of us is hypersensitive to food smells and textures. One of us is a vegetarian. Three of us love meat. Two of us chew too loudly, which another two of us are extremely aware of and annoyed by. One of us can't stand the sight of someone with food on their face and two of us frequently end up with food on their faces. One of us throws his food and sometimes utensils at the table. Yet, we manage a family dinner every night.

Two of us are insomniacs and incredibly light sleepers, while the other three of us snore and make strange noises in our sleep.

Three of us are allergic to dust mites. None of us are tidy or like to clean. Two of us are allergic to grass, but love to be outside.

One of us is sensitive to noise, chaos and is claustrophobic. All of us live in an 800 square foot house . . . and are very noisy.

And chaotic.