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Sensory Integration Tips for Parents

Loud noises. Strong flavors. Crowded rooms. Textures. Colors. Changes in environment. These everyday factors that leave most of us unaffected become overwhelming to the child with Sensory Integration Disorder (SID). A diagnosis commonly found among people with Autism or Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), SID is often that light bulb diagnosis that enables parents to put together peculiar behaviors they have struggled to understand in their child.

  1. Get Informed

    • Autism and ASD receive ever-growing attention in the media, medical community and society at large. The groundbreaking book, originally published in 1998 and now in its second edition, "The Out-of-Sync Child: Recognizing and Coping with Sensory Processing Disorder," by Carol Kranowitz, is a must-read for all involved with the SI child. Over a decade later, many other useful titles have popped up to educate and equip parents and educators. The Internet has several respectable sources for parents as well. Kranowitz has her own website with a wealth of information, including books, CDs, DVDs, speaking schedules and links, at Out-Of-Sync-Child.com. Sensory-Processing-Disorder.com and the SPD Foundation at SPDFoundation.net offer online education, links to national conferences, webinars and a host of other helpful sources.

    Treatment Options

    • As with any chronic diagnosis, pediatricians are excellent sources for further assistance. Many larger metropolitan areas have clinics specifically supporting the autistic and ASD child and thus SID cases. These centers are often founded by a pediatric psychiatrists and may offer various forms of therapy on-site. Children's hospitals often have faculty dedicated to meeting the specific needs of these disorders and may offer group sessions as well as individual treatment. A physician might prescribe Occupational Therapy (OT) tailored to the child. OT encompasses a variety of fun activities that invite and encourage participation while helping the patient become more appropriately interactive with his environment.

    Play with Purpose

    • Based on the specifics of the child's challenges, there are a number of adjustments that can be made at home to provide a more soothing environment for the SID child. Those with sound sensitivities often flourish with a background of classical music. A weighted blanket wrapped over the shoulders may help engagement when listening to a story or coloring. For the older child, the impact of a pogo stick helps develop balance, while the continuous impact promotes focus when preceding homework.

    Support at School

    • A good school administration staff already has accommodations at the ready for the SID student. But in the event that a child's teacher needs more information, share your books, websites and clinical notes so that parent and teacher can work together for a successful scholastic experience. A study carrel may help reduce both visual and audible distraction. A small stuffed animal at a desk is an easy reset for the tactile child. Taking an active role as an advocate for the SI student will have a residual impact on the number of other SID children who will benefit from the well-informed parent.

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