Helpful Tips for Sensory Integration Disorder

Many children, and indeed many adults, suffer from some sort of sensory integration disorder. Put simply, they are unable to cope with common visual, auditory, movement, smell, taste and skin sensations that others find it easy to ignore. Children, in particular, can find the wrong stimuli particularly overwhelming; a scratchy tag might throw them into hysterics, or cologne might make them nauseous. Here are some tips for dealing with sensory integration disorder.

Document the Problem for Yourself and Others

• Study your child to determine the exact stimuli that causes the problem. Does he always freak out in the supermarket? Does he cover his eyes in bright light or in a room with of fluorescent lights? Does he prefer smooth clothes? Does he get angry if he can't rock or spin? Does he chew on things when he is thinking? Does he reject soft touches? Does he hate being held? Make a very careful assessment, over a period of weeks, to identify exactly what stimuli he finds disturbing and calming. Pay particular attention to how he calms himself.

Create a Sensory Diet

• Make an effort to keep home spaces, and particularly her room, in line with her sensory requirements. Lower lighting levels, keeps smells to a minimum, keep toys in smooth boxes and reduce clutter. Children who have a sensory-safe environment to retreat to are better able to handle the stresses of the outside world. Also, you are teaching them what kind of environment to build as they age.

Talk about what your child likes and dislikes

• Even when your child is very young, he benefits from understanding what is disabling him.
  If your child routinely responds badly to loud noises others ignore, like shouting children or jack hammers on the corner, you are in a position to tell him, "oh, this music is a little loud for you, isn't it?" when he is near the band at the country fair.
  You should also identify any accommodation you make which alleviates the problem. If you move your child out of the sun and away from the other kids at the park, you can say "It is darker and quieter over here, isn't it. Do you like this better?"
  In effect you are helping him to identify and accommodate his sensory inputs, and you are helping him develop the skills he will need in the the future.

Inform Friends and Family Members About Your Child's Requirements in a Straight Forward Way

• Children, like adults, have a right to strong preferences. While the world does not have to change to meet their every need, they have a right to have reasonable requirements met.
  Telling the parents of kids your child visits that your child responds very badly to being touched makes it possible for parents to instruct their children on how to behave. Informing grandparents that your child will only wear smooth clothes and that she hates strong smells can solve a lot of problems before they are problems.
  Informing teachers that your pre-schooler really benefits from five minutes of running, spinning or swinging can help them remind your child what to do on the playground.

Consider Occupational Therapy by Professionals

• Sensory integration treatment has come a long way in the last decade. There are now many specialists who help children learn to accommodate their own sensory integration needs. If your school-age child collapses into hysterics because his seat is moved, the children are too loud, someone touches his arm or he can't find his lunch box, then he needs some targeted professional counseling. This ensures that a problem with sensory integration disorder doesn't turn into something far more serious.