Strategies for the Sensory Challenged Child and their Families

Feasts, parties, family gatherings, and candy galore can only mean one thing. The holiday season is rapidly approaching! For children with sensory sensitivities this can be an overwhelming and chaotic experience. Below is a list of suggestions to keep this as the happy and exciting time of year that it should be for the whole family.

• While vacation and relaxation are important, it is important that children feel a strong sense of structure and normalcy. Being able to anticipate upcoming events and activities throughout the day is often comforting for the sensory sensitive child.
• a. Sensory diets, brushing protocols, visual and auditory prompts etc. should all continue to be a part of the daily routine. Disorganization can lead to stress and anxiety which will raise the stress levels of both parents and siblings.
• b. Create a calendar or schedule with Velcro pictures or words that you and your children can arrange at the start of the day to give them a sense of control over what is to come.
• c. See an earlier POTS Blog http://blog.potsot.com/?p=154for more ideas about establishing routines.
• Many holiday experiences are novel: sights, sounds and smells can be over-stimulating and result in a ‘fight or flight’ reaction. ‘Fight’ in response to an overwhelming experience may look like aggression, screaming, crying, or combative behavior. ‘Flight’ looks like social, emotional or physical withdrawal.
• a. If you anticipate your child being frightened at an unfamiliar home on Thanksgiving, at a holiday party, or at a birthday party, bring him early so that he can become comfortable in the new surroundings prior to the arrival of people, noise and chaos.
• b. Plan a shorter stay with a clear end-time, your child is more likely to experience success, because he knows that the stressful activity will be over.
• c. Holiday activities, such as crafts or baking, should be broken down into small components with concrete instructions. With repetition, lists, charts, and prompts your child will feel more prepared.
• On vacation days it will be beneficial for your child to have a balance of high energy activities such as a snowball fight and low energy activities such as wrapping gifts or playing holiday games.
• a. If your children need a calming activity, and enjoy fine motor play, set them up with crafts to make holiday decorations or have them look at a photo album from previous holidays to remind them of the fun and exciting upcoming events.
• b. For a more high energy activity, have them create obstacle courses. You can time how long it takes them to complete it and see if they can best their own time.
• c. See an earlier POTS blog http://blog.potsot.com/?p=37for a number of seasonal indoor and outdoor activities geared towards sensitive children, from raking leaves to making Pumpkin Play Dough.
• Delegate! Give your child a job a week before a holiday. For example, one week prior to hosting a Hanukah party have your child make place cards. When the cards are complete and the table is set, have her place them on the table. This project will prepare your child for the guests as well as give her a sense of responsibility.
• Flexibility is the most important factor in having an enjoyable holiday season. This may mean missing out on certain activities that are not suitable for your child or helping your child find a ’safe place’ in a busy home.
• a. A safe place is somewhere quiet and calm, where your child can play, read a book, or simply sit quietly. The safe place should have as few distractions as possible and be away from loud sounds. Search for potential safe spots with your child such as the bottom step of a staircase, or a seat in the kitchen when others are in the dining room. Your child may want to be apart from the crowd for a while, but close enough so that he can see what is going on.
• b. Remember, if tasks take longer or are not done perfectly, it is ok!

For each family the holidays mean something different. No matter how or what you celebrate, it is important to keep the needs of your sensory sensitive child in mind for the whole family to enjoy a fun and memorable holiday season.

For more information on sensory integration visithttp://blog.potsot.com/?cat=6.

In addition, here are some websites that have great seasonal craft and activity ideas for kids:

http://www.sensory-processing-disorder.com/sensory-integration-activities.html

http://www.amazingmoms.com/

http://www.celebrations.com/jewish-holiday-ideas