As we all look forward to the excitement of Christmas morning 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.

Sleep issues are a HUGE topic of frustration and concern for parents of sensory kiddos.  From the child requiring extensive help in falling asleep, to staying asleep, to the 2am "play time", and the morning grumpy pants.   

Sleep effects the whole darn family...possibly the sibling who shares a room, or even in a separate room and of course at least one parent.  We ALL need sleep, so when our little precious sensory kiddo isn't sleeping, it affects the whole family.  And the biggest problem is the snowball effect.  When any of us do not get enough sleep it impacts mood, behavior, and self-regulation overall.  And then as always, the results are magnified for a sensory kiddo. And for the parent of the child, this state of dysregulation (irritability, mood swings, impatience, etc)  from lack of sleep impacts that child's state of regulation as well.  It's a double whammy.

As a therapist, I have always wanted to find that cure all for families and the sure ticket to sleep...but unfortunately I do not think that single ticket is out there.  BUT I DO think there can be a combination of tickets which can work...but here's the kicker...those tickets may change on a daily basis.  I am going to list some possible solutions as well as factors which can impact the sleep/wake cycle.  So it is up to you as a parent to consider each factor as well as some trial and error when it comes to what works and what doesn't seem to work.  PLEASE try not to get discouraged if something doesn't work or if an idea might work one night and not the next.  I personally know the struggles and I also feel I do understand the frustration and extreme challenge this can create from 20 years of helping families cope and find solutions to SLEEP.

The ENTIRE day can impact the ability to sleep at night.
Sensory kiddos need an enriched sensory diet every single day...including vestibular, proprioception, and tactile activities.  This is what helps their little nervous systems maintain ready state and self-regulation.  If the child has had more than 1-2 hours of screen time that day (this includes computer, TV, video games, hand held devices) then they were deprived of the important sensory nutrition in which their brain needed.  Now on the other hand, if the child was involved in some type of over-stimulating sensory activity that day this can also impact the ability to sleep (like a big social event or new challenging multi-sensory experience).  It is so important to find that balance!

If a child gets to the point of exhaustion or  "overly tired" it can back fire on the nervous system.
Once again, this requires finding a balance and as the parent knowing when enough is enough for your child. Being aware of the fact that your child can not handle as much social stimulation or partying as perhaps another child.  And not just dragging the child along to social events or play dates which may really be more for the parent.  Sorry...had to say it. 

Nutrition is a HUGE factor!
Proper nutrition throughout the day can significantly impact the ability to sleep at night.  Of course I know this one can be difficult to achieve, especially for our picky sensory kiddos.  But being creative and also aware of everything the child is consuming in a day is possible.  The biggest factors to keep in mind. 1. plenty of protein  2. limit the carbs and sugars  3.  limit the preservatives, additives, and dyes  3. plenty of fruits and vegetables 4. Of course no caffeine for a child and keeping in mind that cocoa and other forms of chocolate have enough caffeine to impact the ability to fall asleep.

Medicine, reflux, and possible sleep apnea need to be considered.
If at all possible, refrain from any medications to help with sleep.  I know this is often recommended by doctors, but with my experience this is not the solution, instead it often leads to side effects and new issues. For a child with SPD, medications further disrupt the processing in the brain.  

Reflux is an issue which can impact the ability to sleep.  This should be discussed and ruled out or addressed with your child's doctor.

If the child snores or seems to make a lot of noise at night, a sleep study should be considered.  I think it is always important to discuss the sleep difficulties with the child's doctor...and bring up or request a sleep study to rule out or to address sleep apnea. 

Before bedtime sensory tools and strategies:
(Keep in mind that this will likely be a trial and error process, unless you strike gold and the first sensory strategy you try is the ticket. )  You can try a combination of these ideas, they are in no way going to over-stimulate your child.  It just may take more than one idea or an alternate idea the next day.

Deep pressure touch to arms and legs, also called hand hugs or squeezes.  

A weighted blanket or heavy quilt folded up to increase weight and pressure. Tight fitting pajamas or compression clothing at bedtime are great too. 

Be sure the room is free of distractions, light, or clutter.  White noise or soft instrumental music is also a great tool.  Sometimes a humidifier works as well.  If possible, have the child sleep in their own space...even creating a nice cozy cave in a big walk in closet or possibly in a play tent filled with pillows and blankets is a great place for sleep.  Canopy beds or the bottom bunk of a bunk bed can be helpful as well, sensory kids like that defined and cozy space factor.

The crucial link of proprioception in regards to attention to task, focus, mood, and behavior is quite often completely overlooked in the classroom.  ALL children need frequent doses of proprioception throughout the day to maintain a ready state for learning and to self-regulate…and children with sensory differences need it that much more.  It is extremely difficult for the nervous system to be over stimulated by proprioception, unlike some of the other senses, so it is safe and beneficial to incorporate it as often as possible throughout the school day.  Proprioception is achieved through “heavy/hard work” to the joints and muscles of the body. Engaging the muscles in a resistive activity is considered heavy/hard work.  This can be achieved through a variety of activities included stretching, marching, wheelbarrow walking, crab walking, hanging from a bar, carrying heavy items, pulling or pushing heavy items, etc.  Using various sensory tools can also provide additional proprioception via deep pressure to the muscles and joints...such as a weighted lap pad, Bear Hug compression vest, Underarmour compression clothing, a squish box, or a pillow cave. A couple of my specialty favorites and kiddo recommended are the Gel E Seat and the Yuk-E heavy medicine balls pictured below.

 

Over 20 years in the clinic setting, the very best way I found to discover what sensory kiddos love is by trying them out!  I probably bought and supplied over 50 different types of fidget toys in the clinic...and it is time to share the favorites!  Each child is different in their sensory needs and likes, so be sure to keep a few factors in mind:

Does the child crave a certain texture?
Is the child fearful of certain textures?
How much strength does the child have to manipulate the fidget?
Does the child crave and need something to squeeze?
Does the child enjoy the visual component?
Is the child an oral seeker? Are they going to likely chew and bite it?  *Be careful on this one due to possible choking hazards and also quick destruction of the fidget.
Does the fidget make noise?  *This is an important factor if you plan to send it to school with the child, you do not want a distracting fidget.
Does the child like to pull or pinch or squeeze?  

There are fidgets of all kinds out there!

So for the next 10 days I will post the 10 most wonderful fidgets! :-)   I will even link you to the item at the best price I have found.  I am a little nutty about getting a good deal and the best price...and this is now spilling over for your benefit!