SENSORY Prepared for the Holidays!
Most of us look forward to the excitement of holidays and time spent with family and friends, as well as the overall holiday atmosphere in the home...please take a moment to step back and think about how you can help the sensory kiddos in your life. It may not be your own child, but a niece/nephew, a grandchild, or a friend's busy little toddler. The multi-sensory challenges and social expectations which go hand in hand with the holidays can be completely overwhelming for a sensory kiddo. Episodes of "fight or flight" or sensory overload are bound to happen UNLESS you are sensory prepared!
Here are some helpful sensory tips....
- Create a sensory retreat, even if you are travelling or will be outside of the home at a friend or relative's house, create a safe place for the child to retreat to if sensory overload occurs. A cozy, dark area with sensory tools is ideal.
- Provide deep pressure touch to arms and legs as needed throughout the day, and lots of bear hugs!
- Keep in mind that 10-15 minutes at the holiday dinner table will likely be the maximum amount of time the child can handle. A kid friendly side table with a ball chair as the seat would be best.
- Keep in mind that asking the child to try new foods during an already challenging sensory experience may be out of the question. The child's nervous system is already stressed.
- Prior to the group situation, prepare the child’s nervous system with a 15-minute movement and heavy/hard work activity.
- Provide sensory tools such as earplugs, headphones, compression clothing, a fidget toy, weighted blanket, vibrating pillow, or an oral sensory tool...depending on the child's sensory needs. And be sure to bring these along wherever you may go!
- Do not push the child to the limit. If he/she is showing signs of over-stimulation, allow the child to take a break in a less stimulating room, preferably a sensory retreat.
- Do not insist on eye contact or verbal communication. Let it happen naturally. This will be especially challenging in a group situation, with people the child perhaps does not see on a regular basis.
-- from http://asensorylife.com/sensory--holidays.html
