The Sensory-Sensitive Child by Karen A. Smith PhD

Author:Karen A. Smith, PhD
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780061751479
Publisher: HarperCollins

VOLUME: UP OR DOWN?

As children get older, they become aware of and articulate about their need for modulated sensory input. They become better architects of their own environments and know when to increase or decrease sensory intensity. When they are younger, however, they rely on their parents to create a comfortable sensory environment for them. In order to do this, watch your child carefully and tune in to what sorts of input he seeks and how he uses it to soothe or excite himself.

Hideaways: The child with sensory modulation difficulties needs calming experiences. Set up a small space such as a tent or a cardboard box large enough for her to fit inside. Fill it with lots of pillows and her favorite music and books. Allow her to go into this sensory shelter when she needs to recover from too much sensory assault. This is particularly helpful to some children during the transition from school to home.

Lighting, Colors, Smells, Sounds: Think about the lighting, colors, smells, and sounds in your child’s room. Are they soothing or stimulating? Does he relax when he spends time in his room or remain agitated? Should he have a heavy blanket or a down quilt on his bed? What kinds of sheets will he find most comfortable? Is there too much visual clutter? Is the lighting too bright? Are there annoying smells (fresh paint, carpet backing) or sounds (clocks ticking, fans whirring) that keep him awake or disturbed?

Relaxation: Children can be taught to relax in any number of ways. Slow, deep breathing in which they visualize their lungs filling with air like a big balloon is one simple method. Slow, rhythmic rocking while listening to music is another possibility. With a bit of practice, you can teach your child to relax from head to toe by tensing, then releasing related groups of muscles (i.e., face, shoulders, arms, stomach, buttocks, legs). See Appendix B for resources that describe relaxation programs for children. Swinging, hanging upside down, swaddling, and deep pressure massage are other activities that are calming to most children.

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