Tools To Help With Sensory Processing Disorder {+ Giveaway with SmartKnit Kids ENDS 3/7}

It has been awhile since I have updated you all on the progress we have made with my 3-year-old, Karina, these past few months. If you aren’t familiar, she was diagnosed with Sensory Processing Disorder {a.k.a. SPD} last October, and we’ve been trying to figure out ways to work with her ever since. {Read the beginning here.}

Children with SPD struggle with processing stimulation, which can cause symptoms like hypersensitivity to sound, sight and touch. Many affected children also have poor fine motor skills, challenges with attention, and difficulties with emotional regulation.

These aren’t bad kids, or kids that are destined to fail out of school. Their brains are just wired differently.

The tricky thing with sensory issues is that they don’t look the same from day-to-day, and so as a parent, especially to a preschooler who is already testing boundaries, it can feel maddening.

Currently we’re doing our best to find ways to think like our daughter, and trying all kinds of helpful tools in the process. Because I truly believe in this quote when it comes to kids:

She’s perfect just the way she is! I just think our soil requires a few more tools than some gardens, and that’s OK.

5 months into our journey, here is the list of tools that have helped our family:

Occupational Therapy. Not only has OT helped me with ideas for meltdowns and discipline, but my daughter LOVES it. Her OT does tons of play-driven things with her {always working on a skill in the process}, as well as fine motor tasks to get her where she needs to be as a 3-year-old. Currently, she’s working on dressing, buttoning and zipping, since this is an area where she struggles and gets upset easily.

A visual schedule. Each day, I put up magnets with cartoon images showing how our day is going to go, which is helpful to her. I don’t segment every hour out, and she still has plenty of ‘free play,’ but she at least gets an idea of where we are going, which usually resulted in anxious behavior in the past.

Brushing. When we started OT, we “brushed” Karina up to 5 times/day. This 3-minute soothing technique using a soft bristled surgical brush helped her body to relax and focus. I can’t say what exactly it has solved within her, but we noticed a dramatic drop in meltdowns, and a huge leap in language after doing it for several weeks. We only do it on an as-needed basis now.

Seamless socks. Socks, tags, and the feel of certain types of clothing, have been a major source of drama in our house for a long time. My oldest is picky too, but socks with seams used to result in just a horrible morning for Karina, sending her into a tailspin of all things sensory {i.e. “I’m cold. The lights are bright. You are being too loud.”…on and on}.

SmartKnit Kids has seamless socks are a Godsend! They are truly seamless, and only have a halo top to keep them from falling down. They have immediately become a favorite here, and I’m about to order more and just replace all of her socks to make our mornings run smoother.

They come in ankle, crew and knee-high sizes for toddlers all the way up to big kids — and even adults, too. They are super soft too!

Sound-proof headphones. Noise is a tricky one for Karina. Sometimes the music isn’t loud enough, and other times she’s crying in the corner because the sound of a quiet fan hurts her ears. For the times she is overwhelmed, we’ve purchased some kid earmuffs to quiet sound. She knows now to ask for them when things are too loud for her. Handy since her little brother loves vacuuming!

Rewards chart. We started a sticker chart for “independent behavior,” which could be as simple as going to the bathroom/washing hands alone to picking out clothes and getting shoes ready. Every drama-free activity earns a sticker, and at 20 stickers, she gets to go to the store to pick out something small like a piece of candy.

Compression shirt. She is both a sensory seeker and avoider at times, but there is one thing that is consistent — she love hugs and cuddles. I always just thought she was a loving kid, but turns out it’s because her body uses those bear hugs for calming and comfort.

We received the Compresso-T from SmartKnit Kids and have loved it for school and OT. I won’t lie — it’s like wrestling an alligator to get her in it, but her mood has improved so much while she is wearing it, according to her preschool teachers. I call that a win!

We call it her “super hero” shirt, which she loves 😉 It looks just like a regular tank top, but is very tight fitting and “hugs” her torso.

Armed with all these amazing tools, plus the resources and parenting support groups I am in, I have no doubt in my mind that Karina is going to do amazing things. She truly is sensational and I love how much she has taught me about how the brain works already.

Disclosure: I received seamless socks and a Compresso-T free of charge from SmartKnit Kids. I truly love their products and recommend them! All opinions expressed here are my own.

GIVEAWAY

SmartKnit Kids have generously offered the chance for one lucky winner to receive a $25 gift code to try a sensitivity product of your choosing. Just follow the entry form below. Giveaway will end on March 7, 2016 at midnight.

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Good luck!

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