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For many American families, the Fourth of July is a fun-filled family day of outdoor activities, culminating with a fireworks display. However, for families with a child with special needs, the Fourth of July can quickly bring on sensory overload and other challenges. With a few adjustments, you can still have a successful day. Here are our tips for a fun and safe Fourth:

COOKOUTS & FAMILY GATHERINGS

• Bring your child’s food if he is on a special diet, has food allergies, or is limited in what he can eat. This is not rude and your host should completely understand. It’s best not to force unfamiliar foods on a child who has dietary limitations, as this may lead to an unnecessary reaction or meltdown.
• Set firm start and end times to your visit. This will help a child who thrives on a schedule. Don’t skip any regular nap times.
• Bring a familiar comfort item if this would help your child feel calm in a new environment. Ignore relatives who say your child is too old, or other criticism. You know your child best, so do what works best for him!

BEACH & POOL

• Be extra, extra careful around water. Many children with autism are drawn to water and cannot swim. The best safety device available is a parent or adult who closely supervises the child.
• Bring along any flotation device your child will tolerate. If he’s unable to use a standard flotation device, get a suit with built in flotation, such as this one: Flotation bathing suit
• Another safety essential for children who tend to wander, cannot speak, have serious allergies, or other issues is an ID bracelet. I recommend one that is soft and very difficult for the child to remove. You can customize it with your contact information if your child is ever separated from you. I like the Alert Me bands found here: Alert Bracelet
• Remember your sunscreen and water! A hat and sunglasses are also very helpful for kids with visual sensitivities.

FIREWORKS DISPLAYS

Everyone wants to see fireworks on the Fourth of July, right? If your family plans to see them outside, please remember that fireworks displays are an intense sensory experience. Not all children can tolerate the noise and lights, in addition to crowds. If you have a child with special needs and you aren’t sure whether fireworks displays are a good idea, consider these tips:

• If your child has sensitive hearing, I strongly recommend a pair of noise-canceling headphones or earplugs (we prefer headband style, like these: headband earplugs). You don’t have to spend $200+ to get a good, child-friendly pair. Amazon has many styles: headphones
• If you purchase headphones or earplugs, help your child practice wearing them several times before the Fourth of July.
• Try parking far back from the crowds and sit close to your car. The noise may be less intense and you can take a break inside the car if needed.
• For a child with visual sensitivities, bring a hat and sunglasses.
• If you have access to an inside location from which to see the fireworks, I strongly recommend sitting inside. This is the option that has worked best for our family. We are away from the crowds and heat, and loud sounds are muffled. 
• If attending a fireworks display in person is not a good option for your family, remember that you can see them on TV. PBS usually shows the national display from Washington, D.C. And you can control the volume!

We at All About Therapy wish you and your family a happy Fourth!

Get more tips, interact with our OT’s and connect with other parents by joining our Facebook Group Here.

* Disclaimer: Neither All About Therapy, LLC nor Jeanne Moore endorse products featured in this article. Links to products are provided as examples only. We receive no compensation from any companies or brands featured.

The post Tips & Tricks for a Fun Fourth of July appeared first on All About Therapy, PLLC.

I have a love-hate relationship with winter. I personally enjoy the cold weather, and yes, even snow! My kids have even inherited a love of winter from me. However, that does not mean they are compliant with wearing all the necessary winter weather gear like hats, gloves, coats, and snow boots. Sometimes I myself do not want to wear a coat or a hat! I know for many families with kids with special needs, convincing them to wear (and not lose!) the winter gear is a struggle. After years of managing this issue, I’ve got a few helpful tips to offer winter-gear-weary parents.

Many times, the reason kids with special needs don’t want to wear winter gear is sensory issues. We all know that clothing tags can be irritating, so be sure to remove tags from things like gloves, snow pants, and coats. The tags on those items can still be felt through clothing and around the wrists. Also be careful about the fabric and texture of winter clothing items. Most sensitive kids prefer fleece items over wool or cotton. A loose fleece jacket has been our go-to for our cool fall mornings. My kids prefer a fleece pullover to a more traditional sweater in the winter months.

One way to help your kids accept their winter gear is to take them shopping and let them help choose it. That way, not only can they test it out for comfort, but it gives them a sense of control and ownership over what they’ll be wearing. This takes more time than ordering online, but if successful, you’ll save time and have fewer struggles on busy mornings.

Speaking of those busy mornings, we’ve all had times where we’ve gotten out the door late because our child refused to put on her winter gear. Here are 3 ideas for easing that process:

• Set your alarm earlier and build extra time into your schedule to allow for putting on the winter gear. Being rushed leads to increased stress (and a potential meltdown) for both you and your child.
• If your child uses a visual schedule in the morning, add a section for putting on winter gear at the proper time.
• Make a game of putting on everything…first one with everything on wins a prize! (something small, like a sticker)

Wearing gloves is a common issue for kids with special needs. Mittens are a much easier solution! If you have trouble finding mittens in larger sizes, try looking for ski mittens or asking a crafty friend to knit a pair. In a pinch, you can use tube socks over the hands, which has the added benefit of being harder to remove if rolled over the arms. 

Look for snow boots that zip instead of slip-ons or ones with laces. The zippers make putting on and taking off super-easy. Usually, they can accommodate leg or foot braces if left unzipped.

Try hoods instead of hats. Hoods are less restrictive, yet still warm and protective. An added bonus is that since it’s attached to the coat, it’s one less item to keep track of.

For extra-sensitive kids or people who require wheelchairs, consider a warm, hooded poncho in lieu of a coat. 

For special challenges, like diaper access for kids who aren’t potty trained, search online for “adaptive clothing.” 

And lastly, if your school-aged child refuses to wear their winter gear, bring the items to school anyway or pack them in their backpack. Hopefully, they will be more willing later on.

Always feel free to ask your Occupational Therapist for help with any specific challenges with your child with special needs. I hope you and your child enjoy your next snowball fight!

For more information on how OT may be able to help your child, please feel free to reach out to us by calling (919) 448-6018, contact us through our web form or start a chat with us in the bottom right of the website.

Get more tips, interact with our OT’s and connect with other parents by joining our Facebook Group Here.

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Children can learn by feeling objects on their face and body and by reaching for and grasping objects. They can also learn cause and effect by pushing a light on or off, pulling a Slinky and watching it recoil, swatting at a beaded necklace and watching it swing back and forth, etc. Children can also feel calmer in the enclosed space of a sensory box.

A sensory box is easy to make at home! Here’s how to make one (with pictures!).

1. Locate an old cardboard box. The sturdier the better! You can also buy a corrugated cardboard box at Lowes or Home Depot for a few dollars. Make sure the box is big enough for your child to lie in the box with their shoulders and upper torso comfortably fitting inside. I recommended a size medium or large box.

2. Find some items that interest your child. Some items I recommend are shiny things that can hang down from the top of the box such as plastic colored beads, stretchy tubing, shiny Slinkys, brightly colored fake flowers (sometimes they also have glitter on them!). Get creative, an array of small items could go in this box.

3. Decorate the inside walls of the box with brightly colored construction paper, tissue paper, wrapping paper, old posters, etc. You can glue the paper inside the box or I also like to use shiny Duct tape to adhere it to the walls.

4. It’s helpful if there is a toy that lights up or a small light inside the box. There are many simple lights that you can push to turn on that are battery operated and inexpensive. Check your local hardware store or dollar discount store (they have a lot of toys that are great for sensory boxes!). Affix the light to one of the walls of the box with mounting tape (some lights even come with mounting tape), ideally where your child will be able to reach it and push it on and off.

5. Next, make holes in the top of the box using a pair of scissors or a knife. Make the holes just big enough to fit the objects that are going to hang from the “ceiling” of the box. Next, push the items through the ceiling of the box so just an inch or two is on the outside of the box. Tape the inch or two of the object to the outside of the box.

6. Enjoy your sensory box! Place your child inside the box lying on their back. A small pillow can be used under their head if needed. Enjoy the box with your child pointing out items they are gazing at and assisting them to reach for and grasp items.

Get more tips, interact with our OT’s and connect with other parents by joining our Facebook Group Here.

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1.“1, 2, 3 crash!” This game is played with the parent or other adult kneeling by a sofa or couch. Pick your child up under the armpits and bounce them on their feet three times while counting, “1, 2, 3!”

This can be thought of as helping your child to jump. After the third time, “crash” them into the couch by placing them on the couch. This activity offers deep proprioceptive input to the legs during the simulated jumping and linear vestibular movement when picking your child up which can increase regulation for sensory seeking toddler.

2. Wheelbarrow walking:  walking offers deep proprioceptive input to the arms and can be done to complete numerous activities. With the toddlers that I see we will often do wheelbarrow walking to complete a simple ~4-8 piece inset puzzle.

Put the pieces of the puzzle in a pile about 6-10 feet away from the puzzle board. Wheelbarrow walking can be done with the adult holding the child at the hips, legs, or both while encouraging the child to walk on their hands. Have the child retrieve one puzzle piece at a time (they can hold it in their hand or put it in their pocket) and wheelbarrow walk over to the puzzle board. Repeat until the puzzle is complete.

3. Baby burrito: For this activity, you will need a medium sized blanket. Spread the blanket out on the floor. Have the child lie down on one end of the blanket and tell them you’re going to wrap them up just like a baby burrito. Roll the child up in the blanket snugly to their tolerance. The blanket wrapped snuggly around their body offers deep proprioceptive input, which can be calming to sensory seeking children.

4. Squishes: This activity can be done alone or in conjunction with the baby burrito activity. For this activity, have the child lie down on their tummy (it can be done with the child lying on the floor, bed, or couch). Provide slow, deep pressure input through the palms of your hands to the child’s body for 10 counts.

Do not do use a pinching motion with your fingers and thumbs. I will usually do “squishes” in the following order: head, shoulders, lower back or buttocks, upper leg, lower leg for a count of five and then back to the head for counts 6-10. After 10 counts, you can ask the child if they would like more “squishes” ore they are all done.

Have fun trying these games at home with your sensory seeking toddler!

Get more tips, interact with our OT’s and connect with other parents by joining our Facebook Group Here.

The post Games to Play with a Sensory Seeking Toddler appeared first on All About Therapy, PLLC.

If you are a parent of a child with special needs, especially if it includes sensory processing issues, then you already know that haircuts are a difficult experience for your child. Getting a haircut is a major sensory experience for a child. When a child has a reduced ability to regulate the sensory experience, the brain reacts with a “fight or flight” response. The usual result is kicking, screaming, running away, or melting down. It becomes a very stressful event for the child, the parent, and the stylist.

I know one mom whose child was so upset by haircuts that he could only receive half a haircut at a time. The stylist generously allowed the mom to bring in her son a day or two later to complete the haircut. While this arrangement was not ideal for anyone, it got the job done.

There are ways to help children who have trouble tolerating haircuts. Read our tips from parents and Occupational Therapists who’ve lived and learned:

• For young children who don’t have a lot of experience, begin with a social story (try this one) or video (try YouTube) of a child getting a haircut. Repeat the story or video several times, until your child is very familiar with the routine.
• Role play using pretend scissors (try plastic salad tongs) and a doll. When your child is comfortable, ask him to allow you to use the pretend scissors on his head.
• A new environment can trigger meltdowns. If you have an appointment at a salon, make a practice visit a day or two before the appointment. See if you can meet the stylist in advance.
• If you are lucky enough to have a friend who is a hair stylist, ask them to cut your child’s hair at your home.
• There are child-friendly salons that have stylists trained to help children with autism and other special needs. Use an internet search engine to locate children’s hair salons in your area. Then call the salon and ask if any stylists are specially trained.
• In the hour or two before going to a salon, make sure your child has had a snack or a meal. A hungry child is more likely to melt down.
• Before the appointment time, make sure your child completes any sensory homework from their Occupational Therapist. Heavy work, deep pressure therapy, and other activities can calm the nervous system.
• During the appointment, bring anything you believe might help your child with their sensory needs. Try earplugs, such as the wax type for swimmers, if your child is sensitive to sounds. Bring a weighted blanket to keep on their lap. Snacks or juice boxes are also a good distraction.
• If the salon experience is not feasible for you and your child, consider learning how to cut your child’s hair at home. You do not have to take a course at cosmetology school to learn! Search for online videos and resources to help you learn this skill.
• When attempting to cut hair at home, I have found that the best time is after a bath and hair washing. Place your child on the floor surrounded by towels. I allow my child to watch a favorite TV show as a distraction. Then get to work as quickly and gently as you can. If your child needs a break, that’s fine. Continue when your child is calm.
• Whether the haircut is done in a salon or at home, you can offer your child a reward when the haircut is complete.

Not every tip may be applicable to your child or your family situation. Start with one or two ideas and see what works. Remember that your child’s Occupational Therapist may have additional suggestions to help. As always, we welcome your questions at All About Therapy in Raleigh. If you’d like your child to be evaluated in your home for Occupational Therapy, please call us at 919.448.6018.

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