1SIGHT One of my favorite things to do during the holidays is to decorate. I start this process with a wreath on my door for Thanksgiving. But you know it doesn’t stop there! Add in lights on our house, knick knacks depicting Santa and snow on every shelf, stockings hung on our mantel, and don’t forget the Christmas tree – decked out with ornaments,
lights and beads from years past. Children with sensory processing issues have a hard time processing lots of ‘extra’ information visually – this intensifies when we make changes to their home environment. Once those decorations come out, these children are on ‘high alert’ to not only become accustom to the abrupt visual changes, but to process, catalog, and normalize them. You can help children with sensory challenges by minimizing your
holiday decorations, thus allowing them to focus on the festivities – not the changes in décor.
2SOUND Children are especially sensitive to sound, it is one of the quickest and most sure fire ways to push my boys into sensory overload – resulting in dysregulated and overstimulated kids. From the sound of festive music playing, to a crowded house full of new voices, ruckus laughter, and pots and pans clanking around in the kitchen, the holidays mean more noise for our kids. Often times children with sensory issues have a hard time
blocking out what is ‘background’ noise and focusing on what is important to listen to like a conversation. This inability to filter sound and determine what to listen to, makes that ‘traffic jam’ in their brain become a 50-car pileup.
Keep the volume to a minimum with simple adjustments, like opting to not play background music, is a great way to help them stay regulated. Also, remember to bring noise canceling headphones, and ask your host (if you’re not at home) to point out a quiet space where your child can retreat to for a break like a bedroom, bonus room, or even under a table where he/she can read, watch a video, or play iPad. Because what kid doesn’t want a break from all of that adult blabbering in favor of playing good old fashioned Angry Birds?!
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The Eight Sensory Systems
Sight, Sound, Touch, Taste, Smell, Vestibular,
Proprioception, & Interception
Here are the five senses you already know:
3TOUCH Children with sensory issues can be touch avoidant or touch seeking, each child is different. The important thing to remember is that unexpected or uninvited touch – such as getting a well-meaning hug and kiss from each new relative that arrives – can lead to a complete meltdown. Touch is something that kids with sensory issues should have control over. Allow the child to choose when or if they want physical contact by simply asking them if it is ok before grabbing them – even if it appears rude to you (or someone else). Plus, there’s nothing more heartwarming than experiencing an unexpected hug from a child. So let them lead.
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