All Things Early Intervention
There is no one-size-fits-all solution for a small child hurting himself. It’s a difficult situation but it can improve over time. Early Intervention providers working with families going through this need to remember to be supportive and encourage them to focus on one thing at a time one day at a time.
My foster child actively sought this deep pressure. When he was feeling over-excited, overwhelmed, or just needed a reset, he had a request: “Pillow Sandwich!” This was a simple, family-led intervention that provided therapeutic compression.
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:
For a sensory-seeking child who is always looking for movement, if that movement comes in the form of a fun, voluntary activity—like using an elastic band to play with—that is an improvement.
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.
To my horror, he was covered in what appeared to be feces, gleefully playing with it. Panic set in as I navigated through traffic, desperately trying to find a safe place to pull over.
Jumping can be a powerful tool in our sensory toolkit. By understanding the science of it and incorporating it thoughtfully, we can help sensory-seeking children find regulation, improve their motor skills, and engage more fully in their world.
Sensory seekers may naturally seek out various sensory experiences, but it’s crucial to guide them toward appropriate and regulating activities. Often, this means prioritizing proprioceptive feedback through heavy work.
All Things Early Intervention