My dd is 7. After years of stress she was diagnosed with Sensory Processing Disorder. Things are slowly improving but it has been a tough few years.
One of our major issues was with sleeping. DD found it very difficult to self soothe and unwind but she found comfort is sucking her soother.
After discussing it with her play therapist we decided to let her use it til she was ready to stop. She only used it a bed time for the last few years but was very attached to it.
Her last one disappeared during the week and we only noticed at bedtime so she went to sleep with much difficulty and tossed and turned all night. She slept very badly but the next day I asked her what she wanted to do and she said she wanted to try another night without it.
She didn't sleep well the second night either but refused the offer of a replacement. On the third night she fell asleep easily enough and slept all night which in itself is a rare occurrence.
She has since found the missing soother but has put it in her memory box and has well and truly given it up.
I am so proud of her. She finds life tough going at times but she is growing up and learning to live with her issues.
Thanks for listening.