Many young kids have sensory challenges that they deal with. It’s a normal part of adjusting to the environment in which they live. I remember growing up, I didn't like rooms with large groups of people. This was partly because I had hearing loss and couldn't pinpoint where sounds were coming from. In noisy rooms, it sounded like a big, jumbled mess! As I got older, I learned to better adjust.

Sights, sounds, tastes, and movement are all part of our daily living environment. However, in our kiddos diagnosed with Autism, sensory challenges can be more extreme. That's why we decided to focus this week's Training Tip Tuesday on sensory struggles!

Although these sensory challenges are difficult, when we learn and begin to understand them, we will have the right tools to effectively handle when challenges come up. After all, knowledge is power!

For starters, what do sensory challenges even look like?

According to Autism Speaks (linked below) "Many people with autism show certain behaviors when they are experiencing a sensory issue."

These can include the following:

- Increased movement, such as jumping, spinning or crashing into things

- Increased stimming, such as hand flapping, making repetitive noises or rocking back and forth

- Talking faster and louder, or not talking at all

- Covering ears or eyes

- Difficulty recognizing internal sensations like hunger, pain or the need to use the bathroom

- Refusing or insisting on certain foods or clothing items

- Frequent chewing on non-food items

- Frequent touching of others or playing rough

- Difficulty communicating or responding as the brain shifts resources to deal with sensory input aka shutting down

- Escalating, overwhelming emotions or need to escape a situation aka meltdown

So, what can you as the parent do to help?

Starting by shifting your perspective from negative statements to positive statements is the best way to address the challenges you are facing. For example, ask 'how can I help?' instead of 'what is wrong with my child?' Sensory struggles are primarily environmentally based. To support our child, it is necessary that we look at the environment and state.

Sensory challenges are often grouped into 2 main categories. The first is hypersensitivity, which is over responsive behavior to environmental stimuli. Often your child gets overwhelmed and reactive, meaning you'll want to help them stay calm and relaxed. The other type is hyposensitivity, which is under responsive behavior to the stimuli in their environment. Your kiddo doesn't get enough sensory support from their regular environment, so they look for ways to get more. To help a hyposensitive child, you'll want to provide more healthy stimulation. Often special needs children will experience both sensory struggles.

If your child's sensory struggles mainly fall into the category of hypersensitivity, here are some ideas of how you can help support them.

- Using light covers, sunglasses or a hat under bright fluorescent lights

- Wearing ear plugs or headphones in noisy environments

- Setting up workspaces in rooms with a closed door or high walls

- Avoiding products with an overly strong scent

- Choosing foods that avoid aversions to textures, temperatures or spices

- Providing soft and comfortable clothing to wear

- Adjusting your schedule to avoid places during rush hour or with crowds

If your child's sensory struggles mainly fall into the category of hyposensitivity, here are some ideas of how you can help support them.

- Provide visual aids if they have trouble processing spoken information

- Using fidget toys, chewies and other sensory tools

- Arranging the furniture to provide safe, open spaces

- Take frequent movement breaks throughout the day to break up monotony

- Provide foods to eat with strong flavors or mixed textures

- Using a weighted blanket, lap pad or wearing clothing that provides deep pressure

That wraps up our training tip for this week! If you have more questions about supporting your child with sensory struggles, don't hesitate to reach out anytime.

Works Cited

Autism Speaks. “Sensory Issues.” Autism Speaks, 2023,  www.autismspeaks.org/sensory-issues. Accessed 12 Sept. 2023

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