Super Sensory Gifting Guide

by | Nov 23, 2021 | Blog, Uncategorized

Well first off, I’m not sure where the ENTIRE month of November went – but here we are, days away from Thankgsiving and I feel like I’m still sitting in my day-after-Halloween-candy-hangover.

I’m writing this way past my bedtime.  But I’m sitting alone in my quiet house as all of my loves are fast asleep.  I find solace in hearing the radiator heat kick on with clunks and taps and the occasional car pass by as I sit in the literal silence.  No music, no television, nothing in the background.  The world feels like an incredibly heavy place right now and I needed some time to decompress, be in my thoughts, check a few things off my to-do list and take some deep breaths without having to get anyone a snack.  And you know that doesn’t happen unless the entire house is sleeping.

The holidays are upon us.  And while I love the idea of Hallmark movies, cookie baking, cozy socks and hot cocoa, they’ve also been anxiety-inducing for me for as long as I can remember.  In the spirit of managing my own expectations, I’ve decided to do things a little differently this year and I’m giving myself the gift of less stress.

I was 39 years old before it dawned on me that Max doesn’t care about having his presents wrapped.  Like not even a little bit.  It’s overwhelming for him to have to navigate so many steps and noisy paper sends him into sensory overload.  Last year, I wrapped everything because I thought I had to.  Based on social “norms” I guess? Or “tradition” maybe? I don’t know.  But this year, I’m not wrapping any of his gifts.  We’ll put them out and let him take everything  in on his own time, play with what he’s interested in, take some breaks, and then revisit the rest later.

We are not a one-size fits all family by any stretch of the imagination.  As such, Fletcher gets into ALL of the holiday traditions.  So he’ll love that we all have matching jammies, will excitedly come down the stairs to witness his wrapped gifts under the tree and will put on his most expressive face of gratitude followed by his signature gasp after opening each present.  I kind of hope he never loses that innocent awe and wonder.

I also made the executive decision to ditch the idea of a family photo.  I know a lot of folks aren’t into sending holiday cards, but it’s a tradition I grew up with and I do love it (I even love finding a favorite pen and addressing envelopes while watching a Hallmark – cathartic I suppose).  But I realized that I get myself all worked up about the whole ordeal, I’m sweating by the time we’re supposed to say “cheese” and then we are never all looking and smiling at the same time anyway which then causes disappointment.  So we’re not doing that this year.  It’s simply not worth the stress…and quite frankly, it’s liberating to be excited about less self-induced pressure. I’ll share my solution for that in another post.

A few years ago as things were really ramping up with our sensory journey, we started buying Fletcher presents that were multi-purpose.  Fun to play with while addressing a sensory need.  If relatives asked for gift ideas, we’d give lists that were very sensory heavy.  And now almost all of the presents both boys receive fit this criteria.  It has been a great way to build up our “inventory” of sensory options for them without overdoing it with excess clutter that they’ll play with for 3 minutes and then be done with. (Let’s be clear though, we still have clutter, ha.)

It can be overwhelming to comb through website after website and ad after ad in search of items that fit the sensory bill.  That stops here.  Emily has put together an AMAZING list of sensory gift ideas which has been years in the making, and we’re so excited to share it with all of you.  Below you’ll find links (some are affiliate links which just means that if an item is purchased the blog may receive a small commission) organized by sensory category.  As a sensory parent, I wish I would have had this list years ago.  It takes the guesswork out of endless internet searches which is a gift in and of itself!  We have acquired quite a few items from Emily’s list below over the years, but I’m excited to add to our collection with some new things I haven’t seen before – she knows what she’s talking about.

We hope this list makes holiday shopping a little less stressful and provides opportunities for fun sensory input when your littles need it the most.

Happy Holidays!

Annie & Emily

PS:  Just a quick note that I have found many of the items on Emily’s list on online marketplaces in really good used condition for a fraction of the cost.  Maybe something to keep in mind – if not for the upcoming holidays, than definitely for birthdays or other occasions. <3

Also – as you probably know, the items on this list are really great for almost any kiddo – sensory struggles or not.

OT Game Gift Ideas

  • Avalanche Fruit Stand Game: a great kid friendly game to work on fine motor strengthening, rule following, color matching, reciprocal game play, grasping/manipulation skills, and tong/utensil management.
  • Spot It games: this game works on visual skills (visual scanning, visual discrimination, visual memory, etc.).
  • Sneaky Snacky Squirrel: a fun game for kids to work on reciprocal game play, grasping skills, manipulation skills, tong/utensil management skills to progress fine motor development.
  • Pop Up Pirate: this game is great for fine motor strengthening and development of pinch skills. **this game is also great for kids who are familiar with the Zones of Regulation as the game pieces match the Zones colors—I use this game in non-traditional manor and have the child match emotional/zone triggers and calming skills that are associated with the colors (blue, yellow, red, green).
  • Monkey Around Game: a gross motor (movement) game for younger children (2+) that works on eye-hand coordination skills, motor planning, and social-emotional skills.
  • I Can Do That game: a kid friendly game movement game for older children that works on sequencing, direction following, body awareness, and motor planning.
  • Tangrams: this activity works on visual motor integration (perceptual and spatial skills) through shape and pattern replications.
  • Feed The Woozle: a game with movement opportunities that works on dexterity, fine motor, body awareness, and cooperation skills.
  • Crazy Cereal: a game that works on impulse control through color-matching, grasping skills, utensil management, and visual skills (scanning, discrimination).

Fine Motor Gift Ideas

The following tools, toys, and activities work on addressing a child’s fine motor skills, visual motor skills, manipulation, grasping, and strengthening skills.

Toddler Toy Suggestions (Cause/Effect)

The following toys help each younger children the important skill of cause/effect through manipulation or activation of a button, level, switch to cause some sort of action to occur.

Strengthening Toys

The following toy suggestions help with strengthening and can also be used as part of a sensory diet as strengthening provides input to the muscles and joints (proprioceptive input).

Sensory Gift Ideas

TACTILE:

  • DIY sensory bins (Kinetic Sand, Pasta (raw or cooked), CraZSnow, rice, rocks, corn, beans, etc.): sensory bins are great for children who both seek and avoid tactile inputs. A great way to use sensory bins is to hide object in the bins for children to find. There are loads of ideas on Pinterest.
  • Vibration Toy/Massager: a great calming sensory tool for children which provides them with tactile and proprioceptive input.
  • Ball pit: ball pits can provide a child with a safe place to go when overwhelmed and overstimulated by providing them with some enclosure along with tactile input. (Some ball pits come with a collapsible tent and tunnel which provide additional spaces for finding their calm.
  •  Puffer balls
  • Spaghetti fidget

PROPRIOCEPTIVE/HEAVY WORK:

  • Pop Tubes: a great fidget for children who like pulling against resistive medias and who seek proprioceptive inputs.
  • Sensory balance pods: these are great for making at home obstacle courses and provide tactile and proprioceptive input to a child’s feet and hands.
  • Sensory Sock: This is a great tool for providing children with proprioceptive input as they can push against the lycra materials to get their body sensory feedback.
  • Large Squigz: great resistive suction toys for proprioceptive input
  • Mini Squigz: great resistive suction toys for proprioceptive input
  • Textured pop beads: resistive media that can be used as a sensory fidget and provide proprioceptive input
  • Weighted blanket (10-15% of total body weight) and weighted lap pads
  • Crash mat (**DIY by taking pillow, blankets, stuffed animals and placing them in a duvet cover)
  • Sensory tunnel: a great addition for at home obstacle courses.
  • Weighted balls: great heavy work activity—place them in a basket or shopping cart for extra weight while pushing/pulling.
  • Climb and Crawl Play set: great addition for at home obstacle courses that provides the child with motor planning abilities, heavy work and proprioceptive inputs.
  • Scooter board: they have large and small options for scooter boards. A great addition to obstacle courses as the scooter board can be used while the child sits, lays on back, lays on belly, etc. The scooter board provides proprioceptive/heavy work input and vestibular inputs.
  • Rody Horse: a great toy/activity that provides proprioceptive input and also works on balance and core strengthening.
  • Peanut Ball

VISUAL:

  • Disco Ball: great calming sensory strategy and great for those children who seek visual inputs.
  • Liquid Bubbler: great calming sensory strategy and great for those children who seek visual inputs.
  • Lava Lamp: Creates a calm vibe while also providing visual input.

 ORAL:

  • Chew Necklace: great for oral seekers and for children who need extra proprioceptive input to their mouths.

VESTIBULAR:

  • Pod/Hammock Swing: great swing choice for children who seek vestibular, movement and proprioceptive input. The swing also can be used for system calming as it provides some enclosure.
  • Sit and Spin: provides a child with rotational vestibular input which can be very alerting for those children who have a lower arousal.

SENSORY FIDGETS:

Halloween Hangover

by | Nov 2, 2021 | Blog

*(Halloween isn’t celebrated universally.  Anticipation and excitement are universal in the way they can potentially impact our littles with sensory integration challenges, however.  My hope is that whether or not you connect with Halloween you’re able to relate this topic to situations in your life where it may be helpful. <3)

Raise your hand if you’re suffering from a Halloween Hangover today… (I’m raising both!).  

I’m not talking about having one too many adult beverages while accompanying your kiddos trick-or-treating (but that could be fun!) nor am I referring to the effects of too much candy on our littles although that’s also a challenging part of this kind of weekend!

Worse than any potential sugar high for us is the pandemonium brought on by anticipation.  My head is still spinning from a weekend of high energy, managing ALL of the emotions, and the impulsive behaviors brought on by the HIGHEST level of excitement and anticipation. My whole body hurts and I am exhausted.

Last week was spirit week at school.  Fletcher had three themed days leading into a costume/treat party in his classroom that sent him home with a giant bag of treats.  I thought he’d crash on Friday night (maybe hoped is a better word…I knew better though).  He didn’t.  Saturday and Sunday were tough for him.  So much to look forward to, and SO hard to wait.

We managed the best we could by setting timers (sometimes for 5+ hours) so he could ask Alexa how much time was left until trick-or-treat.  We gave him time away from all stimulation to relax on his own when he needed it, tried to engage him in any activity we could think of (with an emphasis on physical activity) and Mike and I gave each other knowing glances when we knew one (or both) of us was working really hard to keep it together.  Because that’s the thing. This kind of weekend isn’t just intense for Fletcher (and to be honest, we can’t imagine what his sweet little body must feel with so much excitement coursing through it for such a long period of time) but it’s also incredibly intense for the rest of us.  And that’s really, really hard.  In the past it has caused us (as Fletcher’s parents) to struggle because we were so busy trying to manage Fletcher’s feelings on top of our own that we weren’t on the same page.  

We worked hard this time around to check-in with each other.  We spent time with friends on Friday night and while we didn’t do that intentionally, it recharged us in a way that we needed. After a long day of managing Fletcher and his many phases of anticipation on Saturday we had a long chat after the kids were in bed and then collapsed onto the couch to mindlessly binge a new show knowing we had one more day ahead of us.

Fletcher really gets into stuff like this – loves the dressing up (we had three costume changes over the course of the weekend), the socializing, the candy…all of it.  In order to make it through relatively unscathed we’ve learned over time that our biggest line of defense related to anticipation is setting and managing expectations.  Helping Fletcher know what to expect (schedules, timelines, talking about who he will see, when things will be happening, etc.) and then managing our own expectations (which is really me managing MY expectations if we’re being honest).  This year I didn’t force Max to wear a costume he had no interest in, I didn’t fret over getting the perfect photo or making sure we connected with everyone in our circle (pandemic helped!).  I rolled with it the best I could – expectations out the window.  And you know what?!  I survived.  And I had fun in the process!  

I don’t know if you can relate to this, but sometimes I get a picture in my head of how things SHOULD go and I cling to that so tightly that I end up stressed out and frustrated instead of finding the fun in even the most unlikely moments.

Following Fletcher’s lead wherever I could meant a non-traditional trick-or-treat experience but it also meant quality time with family and good friends while he ran his anticipation-charged energy out with his cousin and one of his best buds.  And while I’m tired today from the obvious, I’m also grateful for yet another lesson – when we allow ourselves the time and space to follow their lead, our kids are our greatest teachers.

Now.  Here’s to a week that’s a LITTLE less intense than the last.  Give yourself and everyone around you grace.  Take time to recharge if you can.  Make easy meals, exercise, do something that brings you joy.  Cancel obligations that feel like too much.  Stop and get a coffee or tea and take the long route.  Do something…anything to refill your cup… because at the risk of sounding cliché, you can’t pour from an empty one.

XOXO 

 

Stop! Go!  Let’s Talk Impulse Control!

by | Oct 28, 2021 | Blog

Everyone has difficulty with impulse control from time to time. Imagine a jar of freshly baked cookies on the counter—do you take 1, 3 or 6? Or when you are running late on your drive to work and seem to hit every single red light.  Are you cool as a cucumber?  Or out of frustration do you have a few choice words?

Having control over certain things can be a good thing for children (chores, daily living activities, a typical routine, etc.)  This provides them with a sense of responsibility and accomplishment. However, it can become problematic when the need for control adversely impacts a child’s ability to appropriately participate in everyday life.

Here are a few examples of how the need for control might impact a child’s daily life:

  • Difficulty participating in reciprocal play (turn taking, sharing)
  • Cooperative play (wanting to constantly be the decision-maker)
  • Waiting (and repeatedly asking questions about “when”)
  • Listening (active listening versus listening to respond or interrupting)
  • Following directions (impulsively deciding to do something different than what was asked)

Struggling with any of the examples listed above accompanied by redirection can result in defiance, impulsive actions and refusals. No matter the environment, these situations can be difficult to navigate for both a child and a caregiver. Having regulation strategies, self-control, and flexible thinking skills can help a child appropriately respond to the need for control and impulsive tendencies.  For example, a child may jump out of their seat in class, push a peer, grab a toy from a friend, talk out of turn, become distressed when they lose at a game, or habitually interrupt peers/adults. Most often, these behaviors aren’t malicious, but they can be an indicator that a need isn’t being met.  While there may not always be an explanation for certain behaviors it is important to take a step back and ensure that the child’s sensory needs are being addressed and that they have a safe place to express emotions/feelings.  With the right strategies or “tools in their toolbox” and with enough practice, children who struggle with impulse control can learn to self-monitor and manage their impulses independently.

The ability to self monitor, problem solve, stay on task, make decisions, initiate and plan are all examples of executive functioning skills.  If something does not go the way a child intended, being flexible, adjusting and adapting can be incredibly difficult (and if we’re being honest, this is hard for some adults, too.)  Struggling with these things doesn’t mean that they’re impossible to achieve, however.

The need to control tendencies and impulses is something that can be taught, learned, and practiced. Following are some games/activities to practice and teach impulse control because they encourage a child to anticipate what will occur and have control over their body’s response.  The beauty is that you can incorporate these things into your everyday routine without having to make a big deal about it.

Games/Activities:

1-Red Light, Green Light

2-Musical Chairs

3-Board Games

4-Simon Says

5-Freeze Tag

6-Duck, Duck, Goose

7-Following directions: jump 4x, stop, jump 2x, then do 5 push ups

9-Doing tasks together (building, coloring on same page)

10-Sorting activities (cards, shapes, laundry, food, etc.)

Strategies to assist with impulse control:

1-Break up larger tasks into smaller steps

2-Make a schedule (Visual schedules are great!)

3-Social stories (helps to ease anxiety and anticipation)

4-Count to 3 before responding to a question

5-Allow more or less time for task completion

6-Opportunities to practice self-regulation skills

7-Create, post and reference a list of consistent rules and expectations

If you’re working on any of these things at home, I encourage you to mention what you’re doing to your child’s teacher(s) and/or therapist(s) so there is consistency and continuity no matter who your child is interacting with or what setting they’re in.  This not only ensures everyone has access to the information they need to help your child be successful, it also provides more opportunities for your child to practice their impulse control strategies.

One final thought.  A child’s ability to effectively manage their impulses doesn’t happen overnight.  Nor does it look the same for every child.  Take time periodically to recognize the progress your child has made.  Progress over perfection, progress over perfection, progress over perfection.  Sometimes it truly is “slow and steady wins the race.”

Please feel free to post any questions you have below!

Take care,

Emily the OT

Therapy for You, Therapy for Me

by | Oct 14, 2021 | Blog

Shortly after learning that Fletcher likely had a sensory processing disorder, we got him evaluated by an occupational therapist through a clinic recommended by our pediatrician.  It was the worst experience I’ve ever had with therapy.  But also one of my most empowered moments as a parent, my child’s biggest advocate and fiercest ally.  You may be familiar with this part of our journey, but it bears repeating.

The evaluation was difficult.  Rather than work with and around Fletcher and find ways to gather the information she needed as he led the play, she expected our very young four-year-old to sit.  And wait.  And follow instructions.  And wait some more.  He has always been keenly aware and incredibly perceptive.  He asked a lot of questions – most related to the large motor activities he saw around the gym that his body was clearly craving.  

The first official appointment was even worse than the eval.  She expected this very active child with whom she had no rapport or relationship to sit and cut tiny squares of paper as other children around the therapy gym were climbing and swinging and playing large motor games with other therapists.  Mid-way through the appointment, without warning, Fletcher got up from the mat he was sitting on and walked over to join another child’s session with a therapist who had set up an obstacle course.  Fletcher’s OT was flabbergasted and visibly annoyed.  I was beaming with pride.  Fletcher recognized what he needed and went and sought it out for himself.  That’s obviously not where it ended…

Fletcher was asked to come back, sit down and finish the cutting that was really difficult for him and wasn’t at all feeding his sensory input needs.  He became incredibly dysregulated which is how she ended the appointment.  I had to carry a screaming four-year-old down the elevator and out to the car while he hit and swatted, kicked and resisted.  It was the middle of Wisconsin winter but I was sweating by the time I got him buckled into his carseat.  And when I finally climbed into the driver’s seat I couldn’t hold back the tears another second – the dam broke and those giant salty drops of water fell from my eyes for what felt like an eternity.  It was a release of sorts – charged with anger and frustration, confusion and pain.  Fletcher was sobbing, I was a blubbering mess and I couldn’t even begin to think about what would come next.

We never went back to that OT.  I didn’t know much at that point, but I knew better than to return. I leveraged my resources to find another occupational therapy clinic that would better suit our needs.  Not going back was one of the best decisions we made related to Fletcher’s sensory journey.  My only regret is that I didn’t call to share my discontent.  I was too fragile and too overwhelmed to think about expressing my frustration and to be honest, I didn’t realize at the time how terrible that therapist’s approach was for us…until we found our therapy home a few weeks later.  If I had known then what I know now, I would have called.  (PS:  Your child shouldn’t be leaving therapy more dysregulated than when they arrived.) (Also – every profession has people who are highly skilled and others who maybe just skate by.  For us, this was an isolated incident but it’s always good to be prepared to be your child’s advocate).

While it would have been easy to fall prey to the feeling of defeat and sideline the idea of therapy, I’m so glad we didn’t.  Therapy (occupational, craniosacral, speech and therapeutic listening) has become our North Star.  Guiding us, pointing us in the right direction and showing us the way as we have navigated even our darkest moments.  Most of all, therapy has shown us change, progress, growth and hope.  Hope in all forms.

Have all of our therapy sessions been roses and rainbows?  Absolutely not.  Tears of frustration,  sweat, resistance, meltdowns and having to go back to the drawing board.  But also tears of joy, pride in its purest form, an understanding of what’s possible….and ultimately what will be.

Here’s the THERAPY FOR ME part.  A tremendous part of our journey has been therapy for me.  I meet with a therapist bi-weekly which has played a vital role in my ability to show up for my boys every day.  Mike and I went together during a really hard point as well.  It’s helpful to have a sounding board that isn’t my spouse who can validate my feelings and help me come up with tenable strategies for maintaining my own health and wellness – and sanity.

It’s one of the most genuine and sustaining acts of self care and self love and has helped me find and harbor my own mental strength.  Therapy is one of the greatest gifts I give myself and my family and you’ll never hear me apologize or make excuses for it.  Loud and proud over here.  I’m happy to tell anyone and everyone about how therapy sustains me.   

I’ll save my soap-box speech about how unacceptable it is that we don’t live in a society that adequately prioritizes mental health and how many of our collective issues would be mitigated if we did.  And I recognize that BECAUSE our country is set-up this way, not everyone has the privilege of accessing the kind of mental health resources they greatly need.  So if a licensed therapist is out of reach, do you have a friend or confidant that you could speak to regularly to truly process the hard things?  You might also consider starting with a regular mindfulness or yoga practice.  There are so many apps available now for guided meditation (I really like Head Space), yoga practices, deep breathing exercises, etc. and many of them are free or very reasonably priced.  To be honest, something is better than nothing.  The time and space to process the heavy stuff along with the celebratory milestones is key.  Reach out if you’re not sure how to begin.  I have some ideas.

Here’s to prioritizing our collective mental health! <3

Two Dysregulated Kids and a Dysregulated Mom – WELCOME TO THE BIG TOP!

by | Oct 13, 2021 | Blog

You know that saying, “a few clowns shy of a circus?”  Well today we WERE the circus.  Whistling, crying, cheering, trampoline stunts, acrobatics and all.  We were just missing those waxy orange peanuts and the smell of fresh popcorn.

Both boys had therapy at the same time.  Speech for Max and OT for Fletcher.  Normally, this works out great.  Fletch goes with his fabulous therapist where he knows the routine and usually does great. I stay with Max and our wonderful speech path where he’s learning to use his communication device through play.  

I could tell right after school that Fletcher was dysregulated, but couldn’t identify a particular reason.  He had a good day, ate a decent lunch, played hard at recess.  Maybe it was the dreary Wisconsin weather day or a pending growth spurt.  Maybe there really isn’t an explanation.  Either way, he was wound really tight, full of energy, and not too interested in any suggested strategies.

Max has been a little off lately and fell asleep in the car on the way to therapy.  That’s quite possibly the worst timing for a nap ever.  He was in such a deep sleep that I transferred him from the car to the stroller without so much as a peep.  And when he woke up, he was NOT where he had fallen asleep.  That’s really hard, too.

While we waited for our appointments to start, Fletcher was furiously bouncing on a trampoline in a spare room while I tossed a ball to him (I was desperate to get him some sensory input before his appointment) and Max snored in the stroller, my attempts to wake him unsuccessful. Our therapists arrived and chaos ensued.  Fletcher had no intention of leaving me for his appointment (which is the Fletcher of 2 and a half years ago, not 6 year-old Fletcher) and Max woke up like a lion.  At one point, Max was inconsolable on my lap with wet fruit snacks sitting on the floor next to him while Fletcher was crying behind me while listing every reason he couldn’t go upstairs to the big gym.  I’m telling you.  We. Were. The. Circus.

While it was chaotic, loud and completely over-stimulating (for me!), it was also a moment that reminded me of how far I have come with my ability to regulate myself in these situations.  Because if no one has told you, parents get dysregulated, too!

In the past, I likely would have been a puddle – joining right in with my crying kids feeling helpless, or hopeless… or both.    Or, I would’ve held it in and then the dam would’ve broken the minute I closed the car door and I would have cried all the way home. To be clear, there’s nothing wrong with either of those scenarios – sometimes crying is the outlet needed most.

Today, however, I was able to chuckle a little bit at the intense level of pandemonium we brought along with us.  When Fletcher questioned why I was laughing, I was able to tell him that it’s important to find the humor in situations when you feel like everything is outside of your control.  I haven’t always been able to do this.  Experience has helped.  Therapy has helped.  And to be honest, I’d be remiss if I didn’t give a little credit to Lexapro, too.  I’ve been calling myself a Lover of Lexapro lately – that’s probably best saved for a post all on it’s own, but seriously, it’s been life changing.

In our moment(s) of what felt like relentless chaos today I also found myself exceptionally grateful for the amazing people who support us.  I was again reminded that we’ve found our therapy home.  Our therapists were right in it with me.  Not a lick of judgement, just knowing glances, endless attempts at different strategies or new ways of engaging the boys and the compassionate understanding that sometimes these days happen for no particular reason.  That kind of support feels like a giant bear hug in the hardest moments.  

Five hours after meltdown city and I’m finally feeling more regulated myself.  A walk outside with friends helped, seeing some family helped, deep breaths helped…and some frozen custard didn’t hurt either :).

If you’ve had a circus kind of day, you’re my people and you’re not alone.

XOXO

Resources to the Rescue: Making SPD Make Sense

by | Oct 7, 2021 | Blog

I had two books sitting on my nightstand for almost 2 years.  I would pick them up occasionally – especially when things felt especially hard.  But there was such a gap in between readings that I’d have to start all over.  I was torn between my hunger for any and all information that might help us and being so burned out that I just didn’t have the energy for one more thing.  In my exhaustion, it never occurred to me to find them in an audio version and listen to them on the go.  Game changer.

I was also inspired to look for podcasts about sensory challenges that I could listen to in snippets while in the car or waiting at OT or speech appointments.  While I certainly need to have balance and not consume all things SPD all the time, I find it helpful to know I have these resources at my fingertips.

Let me tell you, these books, podcasts and social media accounts make me feel seen when I’m listening, reading or scrolling.  It’s powerful to be connected to information that makes elements of our lives make sense.  Sometimes it feels like a virtual hug.  Not all strategies work for us, and most of these resources are from the perspective of practitioners, not families who are “in it” 24/7, but I’ve found that with a lot of tools in our toolbox, we’re usually able to find a strategy to help us navigate for *almost* every situation.

Following are some of the resources that I’ve found most helpful and there are loads of others out there as well!

Books:

The Out-of-Sync Child

The Highly Sensitive Child

Balanced and Barefoot

Podcasts:

All Things Sensory

Living a Sensory Life

Instagram:

Theotbutterfly

Allthingssensorypodcast

TheSensoryProject

Facebook:

The Sensory Spectrum

Interoception:  The Eighth Sensory System