All Things Early Intervention
I will never forget the first night of our first foster placement. The evening had been what I call “controlled chaos”—a whirlwind of new toys and new foods. Because he had been so quiet and observant, I felt we had done everything right to build rapport. But the moment I gently lowered him into the […]
If a child sees the same toy every single day, their brain eventually tunes it out and stops paying attention to it. However, research shows that if you “rest” a toy by hiding it for a while, the child will be super excited to see it again when you finally bring it back.
Car rides were a particular struggle. Over time, we found that giving his hands a “something to do” made these moments of stillness much easier. We developed what we called our “Bag of Tricks”—an old cosmetic zipper pouch filled with a rotating selection of toys to keep him engaged.
Instead of forcing him to “sit still,” I shifted the entire experience to meet him where he was. Here is the step-by-step strategy we used to turn a something that caused a violent meltdown into a manageable routine:
She pointed to the ketchup. Okay, —a bit strange, but whatever brings comfort. Then she pointed to the mayonnaise.
Ketchup. Mayonnaise. On white bread.
This is where my inner dialogue—screamed, No, that’s gross. I draw the line.
Creating a peaceful bedtime routine for a child with sensory processing challenges takes time, patience, and experimentation. By understanding your child’s unique needs and incorporating sensory strategies, you can create a bedtime routine that promotes relaxation and sleep for everyone.
We know that children with ASD experience sleep issues and challenging behaviors. Parents then experience stress, and then parent’s stress can worsen a child’s behavior problems. Therefore, effective stress management becomes a critical for both parent and child’s well-being.
The most important lesson I learned is that prevention is key. When your child is actively escaping their car seat while you’re driving, you’re helpless. Focus on creating an environment that minimizes the likelihood of escape.
The cardboard box solution, a simple early intervention strategy, addressed several of his sensory needs and made a challenging situation much more manageable. It also underscores the many benefits of cardboard box play for children in general.
While it wasn’t an overnight success, the social story proved to be a game-changer. Equipped with a road map for what to expect, our son was able to navigate the drive-thru experience with newfound calm.
All Things Early Intervention