Thoughts from a quiet house

I usually don't do journaling type entries, but I am sitting in a quiet house thinking about some things I want to share. It is incredible that I have several hours some afternoons with peace and quiet  in which to do whatever I want. Today I want to blog about some events that have unfolded in the last couple weeks.
My dear, sweet, little Felix. My rascally, energetic, ball of destruction. I have felt for awhile that there is something different about him. Granted every child is different. Comparing him to my other kids and kids around his age, I kept feeling he is different. He has some crazy meltdowns, is very hard to redirect, has severe stranger anxiety (at times, even with less familiar family members), is destructive, and is very speech delayed. He is coming out of it a little, but he just seems really unhappy a lot of the time.
I feel we have adapted really well, and try to not do things that will be hard for him. I try to not take him shopping, to the library, and do not let him miss sleep or meals. When he gets overstimulated and can't self-soothe, we put him in his crib to settle down. Being away and unstimulated seems to help.
When my sister was in town we went to visit a friend of hers. I was a little worried taking Felix somewhere new (to a VERY nice house), I never know how he will respond. He started acting up from the beginning. Crying, throwing himself to the ground, not letting me hold him, throwing toys from the upper level stairs, etc. I was really embarrassed (which I am use to by now) but kept being reassured by the friend that she had a child just like Felix. As I asked her more about it she told me about her son's having been diagnosed with Sensory Processing Disorder. While she explained her son's behavior, light bulbs were going off. It sounded so familiar.
I'm sure this is a feeling you can respond to. The first time you learn that someone else's baby spits up all the time, or that their ten year old girl is acting like a crazed, menstruating teenager. When someone shares some information with you that sounds so familiar that it makes all your worry seem validated.
I have been doing research about this disorder and following up on some community resources she gave me. Some things fit, others don't. I don't know if this is what he has, but at least I have some ideas of where to go and who to talk to. I am able to look at his behavior as a difference in his processing instead of a desire to consume all of my time and energy. Not to mention destroying everything he comes in contact with. I meeting with some specialists and feel so good about working with people who understand him and want to help him and help educate us to know what is best for him.
It has been so good for me and an answer to our prayers. I appreciate the friends and family that I have been able to talk to about this. People that have been excited for us to get answers and have been patient with his behavior. I am so excited about where this will take us. I am excited to learn more about what makes him who he is and how he processes the world.