I also posted this in March on my family blog but copied it here for those of you who may need it!
I've had a few people ask what resources I've used in learning more about this. Here is a process I would recommend to anyone thinking this may be something their child is struggling with. Obviously every circumstance is different but this is what I did and it put me in the right direction.
First of all, if you think there is the slightest issue, call your school district and set up a screening BEFORE age 3 if you suspect something that early. If you do and there is something you'll qualify for free early intervention (at least in my school district, everywhere is slightly different). They offer a preschool program, OT sessions, and so many awesome resources. If your child is older than 3, still talk to your school district and see what screenings they can offer. They can also get you in touch with Occupational Therapists (OT), we've been fortunate and haven't needed to go that route because what we are doing at home is working for us. Different kids have differing levels of severity of this disorder and some need much more hands on time than Little Lady and OT is a wonderful avenue to help with this.
Second, get the book the Out of Sync Child by Carol Kranowitz and Lucy Jane Miller. It was like the whole book was written for me and Lil Lady. It all applied. It gave me soo many great tools. I just borrowed mine from the library and it was fine. I didn't feel like I needed to own a copy. After you read that get your hands on The Out of Sync Child has Fun by Carol Kranowitz. I bought this one. Worth every penny. I could take notes fast enough from it so it was nice to just highlight to my hearts desire things to remember and do. It is a whole book about activities to do specifically for sensory kids. It's awesome. It talks about the importance of helping our quirky kids find balance and different things that help them achieve balance. It really is common sense a lot of the activities it teaches you but it gets you thinking of how to play in a sensory perspective. Third, get access to a swing and a tramp if you can. Swinging is the #1 thing that calms my daughter down. She still uses the baby swing on our swing set because the tight confinement help her feel more safe and secure. If she's not having a moment the normal swing works just fine but in the middle of an episode, the only swing she wants is the baby one. Jumping also is great for sensory kids. Let them jump. It sounds crazy but let them jump on couch cushions and beds. It works wonders. One of my couches I take off the cushions and put them on the floor and let her jump all over the room with them. Little Man had his crib mattress on the floor for several months and we also let her jump on that. I figure furniture is cheaper than lifelong therapy! Doing those every day help so much to get them to re balance their senses. This winter I also bought a small indoor trampoline, one that has a bar to hold on to. She loves it. I love it too, for the long cold winter of finding indoor things to do it has been a lifesaver! She loves having the bar to hold on to, it helps her feel more in control.
Lastly, start doing sensory play. It is a fabulous thing. It is great for every kid but phenomenal for sensory kids. It is easy to do. Gather random things that use senses. Colors, textures, scents, shapes, sizes, messy things, sound makers...anything. I have a closet full of stuff. I open a few containers and throw them in a long narrow plastic tote, my water table, big bowls, or whatever. It's great fun. Beware, you may have more fun than your kid! Seriously, I dare you to get a bowl of water beads and not put your hands in them! Pinterest has a lot of fun ideas for sensory play; I've created a board just of sensory stuff. http://pinterest.com/kalynnej/sensory/ is the link if you are interested. I've also set up a photo album of some of the pictures I've taken during sensory play on my Facebook page the album is called sensory play. Some of our favorites are water beads, glow sticks, anything in a water table, drawing in a pan of salt, and smelly walks.
If this sounds like something you'd like to explore more just ask questions and I'll see what I can do. I can help give you some more ideas of things to get started. What works for us may not work for you but there is only one way to find out! Even if your child doesn't have SPD, do sensory play!!! I now swear by it. Lil Man loves it just as much and Lil Lady and it is fun bonding time for all of us. Play date kids love it too. It great to give them a random assortment of things and see what they come up with in how to play. It's amazing the different in attitude my daughter has if we miss a few days of sensory play. Then just doing it one day somehow magically snaps her back into a fun, adventurous, happy kid again. It seriously works!
If you're feeling overwhelmed and discouraged, don't worry. It gets easier. I promise. Coming from a mom that literally was at her wits end almost every day, it should mean something! You can teach yourself how your child does things and sees their world and then it'll all make sense of what to do to help them. You know more than you think and are more capable than you are aware at the present time!
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