Does your child struggle visiting Santa? For many children, going to see Santa is overwhelming. Visiting Santa can cause stress and anxiety. It can contribute to sensory overload. Children with sensory disorders or autism, visiting Santa is challenging because it is a sensory-rich experience. Your child may be upset, and not want to participate. Ultimately,
As summer camps and outdoor swimming pools begin opening for the summer in the Western Hemisphere, it important to include as many children as possible in swimming lessons. The World Health Organization tells us that drowning is the third major cause of death for children and youth. Sensory-friendly swimming lessons are needed. A common summertime
Does your child have difficulty finding comfortable clothing? Maybe you do yourself? People with sensory sensitivity may find certain clothes itchy, heavy or tight. Furthermore, this contributes to sensory overload. Did you know that sensory-friendly clothing is a solution? What is sensory-friendly clothing? Sensory-friendly clothing is designed for people with sensory sensitivities. Moreover, it has
More and more, camps adapt their programs to include all children. In particular, a sensory-friendly camp helps help children with sensory sensitivities. Oftentimes, sensory-friendly changes are low cost. Above all, these solutions make camps more accessible. Why is creating a sensory-friendly camp so important? All children may experience sensory sensitivity. Some more, some less. However,
Is your community returning to hosting public events? Is going to see the Easter bunny a stressful event for your family? Maybe your child experiences sensory overload? Bright lights, an unfamiliar setting, background music, strangers and many people moving about can make visiting the Easter bunny result in anxiety and meltdowns. You are not alone!
Dr. Temple Grandin is renowned for her work as a spokesperson for people with autism and her research in the field of animal behavior. Dr. Grandin shares her understanding of her own autistic mind along with different types of human thinking and the need for that neurodiversity. She also shares how her mother and mentors helped her along her life’s journey and how she hopes to help other autistic people and their families.
Trish Hamilton, mom to a boy with autism spectrum disorder and sensory processing disorder, tells parents there is nothing wrong with finding out about your child. She helps dispel fears of a diagnosis and lets us know that listening to our gut is key. Trish guides parents to find a trusted person to have in their corner, as a key to empowering a family life that manages sensory overload.
Dr. Winnie Dunn, occupational therapist, is a world-renowned expert the sensory experience, researcher and author of the book Living Sensationally. She has pioneered our understanding of our senses and helps us recognize that sensory processing is fundamental to our brains. Dr. Dunn fills us with hope and inspires us to live sensationally.
Stella Waterhouse, author, autism educator, is creating a solution, even in her retirement, to help people with Koloko Travel. Moreover, travel does not just mean abroad, but close to home too. Her personal experiences with sensory sensitivity have shaped her own understanding and leadership in the field. As Stella says, things still need to be explained, the deluge of information is part of our sensory overload.
Karine Gagner, parent and sensory tool innovator is on a mission to promote everyone’s development to their fullest. Her company, FDMT not only sells sensory products worldwide, but they create their own phenomenal sensory tools, like their line of weighted products, Manimo. Karine wanted something that not only helped children with sensory overload, but also that was like a friend to them.