Solutions for sensory-type issues and reactions to input such as light, sound, touch, smell, sight, and balance. Includes guidance for sensory issues with clothing and bathing as well as ideas for sensory-friendly rooms and sensory-friendly classrooms.
A barber shares his commitment to serving the community by making haircuts a better experience for children with additional needs. The loud buzz of the clippers, the strong scent of products, the scrape of the comb- all part of getting a haircut. As a hair professional, I feel everyone deserves to look and feel their
An occupational therapy assistant shares tips for understanding and coping with tactile defensiveness. Michael struggles to get ready for school each morning and is often late. His mother reports that he seems to overreact to every task he is asked to do. When it’s time to get dressed, his clothes are “too scratchy.” When he
Is “helicopter parenting” always a negative parenting approach? A mom of a child with sensory needs shares her wisdom. Parenting a child with sensory processing disorder (SPD) or autism is not for the faint of heart. However, your child is a precious treasure, and their differences may just mean they need a unique parenting approach.
A loving sister shares the beauty of inclusivity in common family activities, detailing how simple accommodations ensure children on the spectrum can share in all the fun. As parents of a child on the spectrum, it can sometimes be a daunting task to select activities suitable for your child. There are so many questions that
An integrative pediatrician shares ideas for helping children with sensory-seeking needs. Many kids on the autism spectrum have a unique way of processing sensory input. Some seem to have an inward amplifier of sounds, tastes, textures, visual information, and other sensory cues. These kids are referred to as “sensory sensitive.” Others seem to have an
Understanding sensory processing, what it looks like, and ways to help. Have you ever noticed how some children love spinning on a merry-go-round at the park, and others cover their ears at the sound of a hand dryer? Or how one child might crash into everything like a little bull while another screams or becomes
Imagine you’re in your favorite crowded supermarket, and someone suddenly taps your shoulder. If you experience autism touch aversion, that unexpected contact might make your muscles tense up. It’s as if your body were reacting to a forceful impact rather than a simple touch. For many autistic individuals, this isn’t just mild discomfort; it’s an
“Joey, where’s your chewy?” That’s a question that has been said more times than I can count in my own house. My youngest son often seeks oral stimulation for his sensory needs. He is one of the many autistic children to experience oral fixation. It may be easy to recognize oral fixation among children with
Have you ever walked through a hallway and it completely engrossed your senses in every conceivable way? That’s the concept of a sensory hallway often found in schools. However, those on the autism spectrum could benefit from sensory hallways in other aspects of society. These hallways are often filled with colors and creative designs with
Sensory activities are a way for adults to destress, especially those with autism or sensory processing issues. These activities may help them focus and feel more connected in their everyday lives. This is because people with conditions such as autism or ADHD may process sensory information in a way that makes learning and playing difficult.
For many autistic individuals, comfort is a soft and cuddly source of security, and autism and stuffed animals can be a great match. One common source of comfort could be the famous stuffed animals that give emotional solace and can work quite effectively as sensory tools to amplify the well-being of an autistic individual. Whether
The spooky season can be a lot of fun for children and adults alike. It’s a time with crisp, cool air throughout much of the United States, where Halloween is the most popular. Decorations, candy, music, and movies create a fun atmosphere that’s intended to be a joy for all. Unfortunately, for children with autism
As the days get crisper and the leaves transform into brilliant oranges, reds, and yellows, it’s the perfect time to explore fall sensory activities with your child. While these are fun activities, they also play an important role in sensory development and regulation, helping individuals with autism process and respond to sensory information in a
The concept of autism hair brushing can be a challenging one. However, as a parent of an autistic child, you can manage it with a variety of well-thought-out strategies. Many children on the spectrum can be extremely sensitive to having their hair touched or brushed. This often makes it a stressful part of their daily
Over the years, I have worked with many children who have difficulty processing the environment around them. A lack of therapeutic support can result in challenging behavior and frustration for you as parents, as you may not know how best to help. Here are three eco-friendly outdoor sensory activities for autism to help you manage
Looking for a fun and educational project to do with your little one this spring or summer? Then creating a simple therapeutic sensory garden might just be the activity you’re looking for. Therapeutic gardens feature a variety of new designs and benefits, but they can especially offer relief to those with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
For so many children on the autism spectrum, receiving a successful haircut can be a very difficult experience. Sensory sensitivities and anxiety levels that often occur in people with autism can make this everyday task overwhelming. But the right strategies and planning – finding out how to get ready, learning skills, and enlisting support –
Diving into the world of DIY sensory toys opens up a universe of texture, sound, and color for children, aiding their development in profound ways. For little ones, especially those facing the sensory challenges associated with autism, these toys are more than fun. They’re tools for engagement and discovery. Let’s roll up our sleeves and
When you are in a loud place, do you cover your ears to try to muffle the sound? Covering your ears can make a loud place more bearable. For children with autism, the need to cover their ears may be more prevalent as places that don’t seem loud to neurotypical people may sound loud to
Sensory boards for autism can be a key way to engage autistic children while meeting some of their sensory input needs and having fun. Sensory integration and having and fulfilling a sensory diet for a child diagnosed with autism can be quick and easy. A sensory board is exactly what it sounds like, there is
Meet nonverbal teenager Navneet, who is on the autism spectrum, and gain insider insight into a life with sensory processing differences. My sensory system is very different: different in seeing, hearing, tasting, smelling. It is also different in terms of my sense of touch, sense of motion, sense of body movement, and sense of thinking
Say “cheese!” Taking pictures is a way to capture memories we want to keep forever. But when we look back at the pictures, there’s almost always a story of challenges. With autism and taking pictures, there are many of them. This is especially true for parents of children on the autism spectrum, whether it’s professional
If you’re a parent of a child on the autism spectrum, it can sometimes be challenging to develop a fun way for them to play. Children with autism are often not intrigued by the same types of play that other kids love. Many children will need some ideas for sensory play that will keep them
A look at how parents can find the right dentist for their child with sensory sensitivity. Finding a dentist for children can be a struggle, but it poses additional concerns for parents of children on the autistic spectrum. Nationwide, more than 52 million people in the U.S. have special needs. Unfortunately, less than 10% of
A look at how food texture sensitivity occurs in children with autism.
When kids on the spectrum struggle with listening, especially the processing and comprehension of sound, parents may wonder if it’s a characteristic of autism or an issue with auditory processing. Auditory processing disorder is a complicated condition courting controversy like most other sensory processing disorders. We tend to think of hearing in a simplistic way
Three-year-old Jack was playing, happily lining up all his cars in a row, when his baby sister Josephine woke up from her nap, and started crying loudly. Suddenly, Jack felt extremely overwhelmed, panic took over, and anger towards his sister made him feel out of control. He needed to get away, but there was nowhere
One of the greatest joys of parenting is discovering tools that truly help our children thrive. For kids with sensory sensitivities, especially those on the autism spectrum, noise-cancelling headphones for autism can make a world of difference. They can reduce distressing sounds and bring a sense of calm to overwhelming environments. For parents navigating sensory
Tips and ideas for designing a comfortable home for children with sensory processing challenges. Autistic children may experience hypo- or hypersensitivities, which profoundly impact their sensory perception. As a result, they may interact with their physical environment in distinctly different ways than neurotypical children. It’s also fair to say that no two autistic kids are
It was March 2020 and the world had just shut down. My five-year-old had just been admitted into the gifted program at school but had not started in his new classes yet. Suddenly, I was supposed to homeschool a not-yet-diagnosed child on the autism spectrum who was smarter than me already. My ever-moving, always talking,
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