Summertime Fun For Kids With Sensory Differences
Jason Rowley
Summer is finally here! What an adventure this has been! Now that life is returning to some level of normal, it’s time to prepare for summer fun. We do need to remember that sometimes sensory differences can turn a fun day into a disaster! I hope these tips help you and your family get things off on the right step.
Kids with over-responsivity to tactile input might need some extra care to enjoy the summer.
Applying sunscreen was always a battle at my house! Find what works and stick to it. Spray on might work, as well as using hats, shirts, whatever it takes. Getting a sunburn will not make the day better!
Other typically fun activities that might be a challenge are splashing in a pool, getting squirted with water, and playing in the sand. While these are all sensory enriched activities, be sure to have fun. Try to understand that this is a threat to your child’s nervous system and may trigger the sympathetic nervous system into a fight or flight mode. That does not sound like a fun day!
For some of the kids (and adults), getting back into the hustle and bustle of life might be overwhelming. We have become accustomed to social distancing and the world being slower and quieter. Be sure to check in with your child (and yourself) for signs of over-stimulation. Kids frequently cannot express their overstimulation, but you might notice increased activity, withdrawal from activity, or explosive episodes. As always, watch your child’s responses. If they are running and hiding, offer a “hide-out”, such a cozy quiet space or better yet, if their chosen space is safe, just honor it. If on the other hand your child is crashing into surfaces, “bouncing off the walls”, some very firm hugs or squishing might help.
Difficulties with motor planning can also make a fun day a disaster! Kids with motor planning difficulties often play the same thing over and over. They might look at an activity at the park, and because their body does not know how to navigate or “do it”, want to leave the park or report they are bored. If you sense that your child would really have fun with an activity, work on breaking down the steps so it can be mastered, and fun!
For more helpful information on Sensory Processing go to:
sensorysmarts.com
spdstar.org
Julie Bator, OTR/L
July, 2021