Hi Everyone! Emily Gutjahr here! I’m so excited to be here as a guest blogger to share some tips and tricks from the lens of a pediatric occupational therapist! I’m happy to share strategies based on my experiences, but if sensory concerns impact your child’s day to day activities, I strongly encourage families to seek a referral from a primary physician for an OT evaluation.
I have been an OT in pediatrics for four years, working with children of all ages and abilities including neurological disorders, Autism Spectrum Disorder, sensory processing, developmental delays, neuromotor disorders, fine motor delays, and handwriting difficulties. I strive to incorporate a multi-sensory approach into my individualized treatment session and utilize a client-centered approach to maximize engagement, participation, and functional outcomes in therapy. In my free time, I enjoy reading, spending time with family, gardening, being outside, skiing, cooking, and traveling.
Speaking of traveling… while it is a favorite pastime for many, traveling can be an anxiety-inducing experience for families who have children with sensory processing and modulation challenges. Because traveling almost always involves a ton of new sensory input, what’s typically intended to be a fun experience can quickly become very overwhelming for everyone involved.
Imagine all the sensory input that can be experienced at an airport for example. People walking around, announcements over the loudspeaker, toilets flushing, coffee brewing, planes taking off, metal detectors beeping, the smell of foods, rolling suitcases, etc. So. Much. Sensory. Input! All those sights, smells and sounds are called ambient information and while most people can block out ambient information in their immediate environments, individuals who experience sensory processing difficulties are not able to appropriately modulate sensory inputs. When more input is received than can be processed, their sensory systems are completely overloaded which can potentially result in meltdowns, difficulty with transitions, shutting down, defiant behaviors (acting out), attempts to flee environment, crying/yelling/screaming, hiding, etc.. That’s hard on the child and on their families.
Helping your child navigate new and overwhelming sensory situations can make all the difference. So let’s talk strategies!
It’s important to note that not all strategies work for every child in every scenario so I recommend having several “tools” in your toolbox. If one doesn’t work, give something else a try and know that what works in one situation, may not work for another. With enough practice, however, managing sensory needs can become second nature and some children are eventually able to employ strategies on their own. Take deep breaths during moments of frustration, come prepared, and work to remain emotionally regulated as the adult so you’re able to help your child do the same.
Following is a list of strategies I frequently share with families as a starting point. You know your child best, but here are some things to consider:
Heavy Work:
Proprioception and heavy work can be a great way to help regulate a child. Proprioception input is any sensation provided to the joints, muscles, or connective tissues and can include pushing, pulling, lifting, and carrying heavy objects. Proprioception can be beneficial as a regulation strategy but also useful for letting a child know where their body is in space (body awareness).
- Jumping Jacks
- Wall Push-ups
- Lunges
- Carrying a backpack with added weight (make sure it’s not too heavy for child, but packs of baby wipes work great for this!)
- Pulling or carrying luggage
- Weighted blanket or lap pad (an appropriate weight for a child)
- Stretching
- Animal walks
- Deep breathing
- Stress ball
- Building with Legos (the clipping together and pulling a part)
- Putty or Play Doh
Auditory:
- Noise cancelling headphones
- Calming music/white noise to drown out loud sounds (There are a lot of free apps for white noise)
- Ear plugs
Oral:
- Crunchy/chewy snack (gum, crunchy granola bars, raisins, fruit strips, gummy candy, sports bars, lollipops)
- Cold snacks (popsicle, frozen yogurt, frozen fruit)
- Chewy necklace
- Drinking from a water bottle with a straw (CamelBak water bottles are great because they require child to bite and suck simultaneously which provides multiple points of input.)
Transitional Strategies:
- Foreshadowing (so that the child knows what will happen next)
- Sharing pictures, videos, or a social story ahead of time (some children benefit from starting this process well in advance of a new experience while others just need a day or two to give their brains enough time to organize around what’s coming next.
- Use of “first, then” statements (first we will pack the car then we will drive to Grandma’s house.)
- Bringing a favorite toy or comfort object from home (pillow, blanket, stuffed animal, etc.)
- Writing out a checklist or using pictures (visual schedule) and having the child check off or put a sticker on the completed steps.
- Drive, park car, wait in line for security, wait at gate for plane, get on plane, etc.
- Providing choices (Noah, what would you like to do first? Play on the playground or eat lunch?)
- Faded transitions (counting down, timer, etc.)
When Flying for Travel:
Most airlines are very accommodating with regard to sensory processing. Call the airline ahead of time and explain your child’s needs. They will often allow families to board the plane last and make other necessary accommodations as needed. Some airports also have a playground area that can be used for added sensory input.
If your child prefers small, quiet spaces, seek out corner chairs that are slightly secluded if you can find them. You could also bring a small blanket to drape over an airport chair to serve as a tent/fort to reduce some of the noise and visual stimulation.
Car Travel:
For car travel I often suggest creating a travel sensory bin that includes some of the following: Koosh ball, fidgets, bubble wrap, stress ball, Play Doh/putty, pop tubes, Legos, pinwheel, light-up toys, etc.
If you are going on a long road trip and plan to purchase new sensory toys, you might want to consider wrapping these items up so your child has something new to open every few hours to help pass the time. Setting a timer could help them know when their next “surprise” can be opened and may eliminate (or at least reduce)vthe “is it time yet?” questions 😊. A similar strategy could be used to help minimize the “are we there yet?” as well.
Other strategies for managing sensory needs can be found on the Swinging in the Rain website listed by sensory area as well as links to some fidgets and other budget friendly tools that are great for travel.
Wishing you a safe and happy summer. Until next time!