Sensory Awareness
Sensory Awareness
Today we are going to talk about all things sensory. Knowing what it is and how it effects our autistic children helps us to understand and support them. It can be quite enlightening and challenging. Figuring out the depths of sensory awareness and embracing the strategies to support your child’s sensory needs, parents can help create an environment of comfort, empowerment and growth.
Sensory awareness is the interplay between the sensory system and how our children perceive and interact with the world around them. Children with autism perceive and process things differently. They may have heightened sensitivity or reduced responsiveness to sensory stimuli, ranging from sight, sound to touch and taste. Understanding how these affect your child allows you to create a supportive environment for them.
Sensory Awareness
Our children are constantly communicating with us, they make noises, move around, are aggressive, run and it is important for us to identify and understand the unique sensory triggers that may impact our children. Observing their responses to various stimuli, from crowded environments to certain textures or sounds, provides valuable insights into their sensory preferences and aversion. By recognizing these triggers, you can proactively create a sensory-friendly environment that minimizes discomfort and maximizes comfort. For example if loud noises are a trigger, get them noise cancelling headphones and try to minimize taking them places that you know are noisy.
Supporting Families with Autistic Children
As a qualified life coach and a parent of an autistic child, I bring a unique blend of professional expertise and personal understanding to my work with families dealing with autism. My journey as a parent has equipped me with firsthand insights into the challenges and triumphs that come with raising an autistic child.
I specialise in offering tailored support and compassionate guidance to families navigating similar paths.
My approach is empathetic and informed, focusing on empowering families to not only manage but also to celebrate the unique aspects of life with an autistic child. Through personalised coaching sessions, I provide effective strategies, support for enhancing family dynamics, and techniques for positive communication.
My goal is to help families foster a deeper understanding of autism and find balance and joy in their lives.
Tailoring your home to accommodate your child’s sensory needs will help them to regulate. Simple adjustments, such as dimming lights, providing soft textures for tactile stimulation, having a swing or trampoline can significantly alleviate sensory overload and promote a sense of calm. As mentioned last week, designating quiet zones and sensory-friendly areas within the home allows your child to retreat and recharge when needed, offering a sanctuary amidst the sensory whirlwind.
Sensory Awareness
Recognising signs of a sensory overload and providing your child with opportunities for sensory breaks is essential in supporting your childs’ well-being. Perhaps it’s a quiet moment of deep breathing, a sensory-friendly activity or a calming sensory retreat, incorporate regular sensory breaks into their daily routine allows your child to self-regulate and navigate overwhelming situations with greater ease. By showing and offering these moments of respite and replenishment, you empower your child to navigate the sensory landscape with confidence and resilience.
I have found that in community settings, if you advocate for what your child needs, you will often find that it is met with understanding and support. That could mean getting in front of a long queue, getting a preferred seat on the plane or even boarding first. The more we ask for what we and our children need the more aware people and the community are going to be. Nurturing sensory awareness goes beyond adapting the environment, it also involves fostering empathy and understanding within the family and broader community.
Encouraging siblings, relatives and peers to learn about sensory differences and embrace acceptance and inclusion cultivates a culture of compassion and support. Show your child how to navigate the world with confidence and self-assurance.
For Max, it’s his dinosaur
Sometimes your child may have a toy that they carry around for comfort and to help calm their anxiety. For Max, it’s his dinosaur, Toto and by including Toto in everything, Max is more willing to take on adventures he may not necessarily be able to navigate if not for his dinosaur. Now everyone knows about Max and his dinosaur and if I am out and about without him, they all ask me how he is and what he is up to. This is having the understanding and support of a community.
If you are lucky enough to have a good occupational therapist, they will also suggest various tips on how to deal with the unique sensory challenges that you have with your child. The important thing is to really observe your child so that you are able to know when they are triggered and you will be able to assist before it escalates.
Please don’t beat yourself up if you battle to miss some signs. Max is now 9 and I still miss signs or am not quick enough to deal with a situation. In times like these, this is where your calm and patience comes in and just deal with the situation as best you can. Let other people stare and judge, knowing you got this!
Till next week.
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Children’s Sensroy Issues
If you are not sure what your child’s sensory issues are or perhaps you have an idea but not sure how to deal with them or how to make it easier for your child, I can help. By having an in depth discussion on your child’s needs, we can tailor make a program to help your child navigate their sensory issues. Click HERE for a free consult to find out how.
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