Children and families have long celebrated heading into summer time with enthusiasm, new found freedom, and fun plans. While this annual changeover is fantastic, it also poses challenges for children with sensory processing issues. Does your child show unusual sensitivity to high temperatures, bright light, noise, or tactile sensations? These sensory surprises can be difficult or strenuous to children with sensory hypersensitivity. Being aware and advance planning can help parents /caregivers of children with sensory issues maximize their summer time fun and support their regular regimens and routines.
Sensory triggers can include:
- intense rising temperatures
- rowdy play grounds or water parks
- loud volume at the movies/concerts
- sand on the beach or salty water
“For a child who experiences tactile hypersensitivity, going to a beach can be more upsetting than enjoyable,” says Kari McKown, owner and occupational therapist. “They do not enjoy the way sun or sunscreen feels being put on their skin or the roughness of the sand beneath their feet.” Stimulations like going into the water or eating sensory-stimulating foods like snow cones or cotton candy could trigger a meltdown.
Study your child’s behavior and know their unique needs: An effective way to plan the most fitting summer activities and experiences is to study your child’s unique needs and have a strong understanding of how to avoid places or situations that can trigger a troubling response. If you have multiple children, you might discover what is great for one might be miserable for another. By tuning into your child’s behavior, you can get a better sense of what they might enjoy in the future and what tools you can use to make potentially difficult activities become less stressful.
Stick to a schedule: Summer can be the definition of going ‘OFF SCHEDULE,’ but the loss of an orderly schedule can be severely disruptive for a child with sensory issues. “Studies and our own experience show children with sensory issues thrive when there is a set or predictable schedule in place and they have a knowing of what is going to happen in the day,” says Kari. “When consistency and patterns are gone, the day can become more stressful, not less. We encourage sticking to your child’s routines as best as possible to help them feel comfortable and better prepared to face what’s coming their way.”
Consider these options:
- Wearing sun-protective clothing and shoes if your child is sensitive to sunscreen or sand on a beach and sensory friendly bathing suits
- Have ear protection on hand for loud parks, movies, fireworks or outdoor concerts
- Enroll them in local summer activities that help maintain their regular schedule or are even geared toward working with children who require sensory integration
- Maintain your normal therapy schedule (if you have one) and if you are not out of town
- Create a calendar using fun items like stickers or bright colors to represent new planned activities or regularly scheduled appointments
- Reward consistency! If you know what your child likes for a ‘treat,’ have it ready to celebrate the accomplishment of both new activities and regular schedules
