Supporting Children When Sensory Needs Differ
When adults consider the sensory needs of children, they often only focus on the child by providing some of the tools such as fidgets and weighted blankets (I’m guilty of this too!).
However, we don’t always consider how our sensory preferences may be different from a child’s and how that affects the ways we respond and tools we offer.
We may need to work on how we react to sensory input or we may need to change the environment to help a child, even if it’s not aligned with our sensory preferences or needs.
In classrooms, this is especially important to think about because teachers have a diverse range of sensory needs and preferences in their classes.
Your sensory preferences may not match a child's
Be mindful of these differences and do not assume that others have similar needs and preferences.
For example, you may need constant background noise to keep yourself focused. Is the TV, podcast or radio constantly on? It may help you regulate, but it can be a problem for a child who is sensitive to auditory input.
Do you use a scented plug in air freshener? While you may love the smell, others may be really bothered by it. As a personal example, I ask that my office be fragrance-free not only for my clients, but also for myself. I am sensitive to aromas like air fresheners and perfumes. As a result, I find them very distracting, and they may give me a headache, even if I like the smell. As a result of my sensitivity, I do not often introduce scented products to children as a sensory tool, though sometimes scents can be helpful. I now try to be more mindful about providing strategies like this that tend to be bothersome to me, but may be helpful for children.
Another example that many teachers may not consider: busy walls in classrooms. Sometimes the content on the walls is regularly referenced by the children (such as word walls, number lines, etc.), but if the information isn’t regularly referenced then it’s just clutter. That clutter can overwhelm a sensory-sensitive child.
When there is a sensory mismatch, it can be a problem for both children and adults
When we assume that children have the same preferences we do this can problem for them because they may become overwhelmed as this sensory input overwhelms their system.
On the other hand, you may find that your sensory system is overloaded by a child! This may affect how you respond to even typical behaviors in children. For instance, are you sensitive to the noises they make when they play or their toy clutter? What can you do to help your own sensory system when a child’s typical behaviors affect your sense of calm? Do you need support for your own sensory needs?
I encourage you to consider your own preferences and look at your environment to see if it may be affecting children in your life or if a child’s typical behaviors are influencing your sensory system.
If you would like a sensory checklist to help you realize your own preferences, I will be happy to share one (email me at info@thestressdetective.com). Or, check out this training for adults with one of our favorite self-regulation programs, the Alert Program.
Your Best Self The Alert Program for All Online Course
This blog post was adapted from one I wrote for parents on my private practice page. It's important for all adults to consider this, not just parents.